Entheogens in a Religious Context: The Case of the Santo Daime Religious Tradition

Abstract

This essay first draws upon the work of William James and others to propose a nonphysicalistic understanding of the relationship between the brain and consciousness in order to articulate a philosophical perspective that can understand entheogenic visionary/mystical experiences as something other than hallucinations. It then focuses on the Santo Daime tradition, a religious movement that began in Brazil in the early part of the twentieth century, to provide an example of the personal and social ramifications of taking an entheogen (ayahuasca) within a disciplined religious context. The essay claims that the Santo Daime is one example of a contemporary mystery school; gives a brief history of the development of this religion; discusses the key theological assumptions of this movement; investigates the important role played by visionary/mystical experiences within this religion; underscores the centrality of healing and spiritual transformation for members of this tradition; and ends with an examination of the crucial significance of spiritual discipline within this entheogenically based religion.

Ayahuasca: Uses, Phytochemical and Biological Activities

“…It has been reported that the ayahuasca beverage is an example of cumulous effects of human experiences, where nature and man share the same space and time. Ayahuasca delivers a shot of imagination that it is not restricted to a place, but a metaphysical space [33].…”

Green Open Access for Interesting Contributions

“…Ismael Apud discusses the history of science and spirituality for another fascinating case, the study of Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew associated with the Santo Daime cult in Brazil, and “alternative states of consciousness.” Apud discusses extensively developments in Spain in the 1990s, and in consequence the complexities of migration and assimilation of cultural practices. This article further develops a topic considered in Zygon a few years ago in a thematic section on the religious relevance of entheogens (“God”‐inducing substances; see Barnard ; Cole‐Turner ; Hummel ; Richards ).…”

Science, Spirituality, and Ayahuasca: The Problem of Consciousness and Spiritual Ontologies in the Academy

“…Whereas in Santo Daime the ritual is related to a formal and communal religious/mystical/healing practices (cf. Barnard ), and in the mestizo Amazonian culture the curanderos use ayahuasca to treat folk illnesses and witchcraft, in Western ceremonies ayahuasca is used in a psychotherapeutic setting, with a focus on existential and personal conflicts. The elements in the ritual are redefined within the idea of a redefinition of the ritual according to psychotherapeutic goals and our own Western cultural matrix.…”