Terence McKenna on the Hermetic Tradition

Terence McKenna (1946-2000) was an American ethnobotanist, mystic, author, and lecturer known for his advocacy of the use of psychedelic plants and substances for spiritual and therapeutic purposes. He was born in Colorado and studied at the University of California, Berkeley, where he became interested in shamanism and psychedelic drugs.

McKenna's ideas and work focused on the exploration of altered states of consciousness, the nature of reality, and the role of psychedelics in human history and culture. He believed that psychedelic experiences could offer profound insights into the nature of existence, and that they had the potential to revolutionize society by promoting creativity, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.

McKenna was also a prolific writer and speaker, and his books and lectures continue to influence contemporary culture and thought. Some of his most famous works include "The Invisible Landscape: Mind, Hallucinogens, and the I Ching," "True Hallucinations," and "Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge."