so, i read it. i wouldn't call it fun or enjoyable though. and if you are a facts, stats and get to the point kind of reader, don't bother trying to read it
it is a "slow" book. its well written but Huxley gets so bogged down into his descriptions--probably for fear of not totally conveying his true experiences-that you may often want to set it down
In DOORS OF PERCEPTION, he displays the quagmires that organized religion has created by condemning anciently held and practiced human behaviors and interactions with the products of the natural world. He contends, and I agree, that org religion, along with modern cultures built around them, are so restrictive and punitive that they have led many people into self-harm with abusive behaviors to include the abuse of alcohol, certain foods and pharmaceuticals--synthetic drugs that is. For the modern day, I would add to this list the abuses of certain ways of living like internet addictions, porn and sex addictions and other learned abnormal behaviors, even some that are marginally accepted by much of society, like gambling for example.
Huxley then makes his case for safe hallucinogens (in his case mescaline) which, he believes, could truly enlighten us and teach us about the world/the true self. HE also makes comparisons and contrasts to the behaviors associated with mescaline experiences and how they may help one better understand the experiences of the mentally ill, mainly schizophrenics (as the disease was understood to be in the 50's). As well as to facilitate a better understanding of the visual and audible arts, and,based on the life experiences of the user, possible better insight into those things they have learned and experienced. He hints that the use of mescaline, and other hallucinogens, MAY help those ppl to be their better selves. Example- a lawyer ,may become even more understanding of the law at a deeper level then he ever did. A engineer may become more creative after a managed, therapeutic use of mescaline. To be guided through any roadblocks they may be having to new design challenges and work demands based on their education and training examined WHILE on mescaline. hmmm maybe...
The 2nd half, HEAVEN AND HELL, was more in depth. One thing he concludes is that people can reach similar levels of consciousness by meditating as they can with the assistance of mind-altering drugs. Huxley also gives opinions of the various methods of starting a transcendent state used throughout the human experience, including things like--- starvation, singing, prayer, philosophical contemplation, breathing exercises, sensory deprivation, etc.
Of course, these were described by him-a 1950's english progressive who could only make this connections based on his opinion of what was known about history and the practices of other ethnic groups. Remember, at this time, the west and the educated man in it, was still under the prescriptions of being educated through a racist and the 'white man superior' perspective
So, while he may hold up as virtuous the transcendental practices of the American Indian, he does it in the context of the 'white man superior' position that those transcendental actions of the Am Indian ARE the only things virtuous to that people.
but, in proposing that people use these natural drugs, is he not also short changing the power of a human's natural abilities? He is suggesting that even after yrs of education and training and job experience, that we are just not cut out for producing quality in our work life WITHOUT the use of these elements? Is this not an excuse for later movements to turn to these natural drugs before attempting to perform without them?
Another problem that is
implied by his writings in both parts, is the idea that the modern pharma industry is/was producing synthesized drugs based on the model of naturally occurring medicinal/hallucinogenic elements.
The idea that the pharma industry was producing synth drugs like librium (one of the first benzo's) in the 50's and that this could give a person a relaxed state as good as or better then say unaltered marijuana. This idea hinted by his work and perhaps one used indirectly by big pharma ("Huxley says buy our valium!" ) to forward and hock their goods is wrong and another attempt of big pharma and their associates (govt and other corporates) to distort the writings of ppl like Huxley and later, Leary, to their profit.
Of course it is not the fault of Huxley for how others used his work and though, so far as I know, he never endorsed big pharma, he certainly did nothing to stop them.
) is an amazing biographer! She does English royalty...reading Isabella She- Wolf of France; Queen of England