Beschreibung

In 1952, Aldous Huxley became involved in the early psychedelic movement with an experiment that involved 400 mg of mescaline. The psychedelic drug produced a visionary experience that he compared to the mystical experiences of mystics and saints. The experience led him to write "The Doors of Perception," a philosophical essay detailing his experience. The book takes its title from a phrase in William Blake's poem "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell." Huxley recalls the insights he experienced, ranging from the "purely aesthetic" to "sacramental vision," and reflects on their philosophical and psychological implications. "Heaven and Hell" is an essay by Aldous Huxley published in 1956, which discusses the nature of mystical experience and its relationship to art and symbolism. It was published as a companion piece to "The Doors of Perception." Together, these essays explore the relationship between psychedelic experiences, art, spirituality, and the nature of reality, offering profound insights into altered states of consciousness and their significance for human understanding.