The Entities that Exist Within Psychedelics | With Dennis McKenna

SecondBrainJune 22, 2023, 10 p.m.

The article is a theoretical piece.

The article explores the concept of entities in the psychedelic experience and argues that these entities are a product of the collective unconscious. The author draws on the work of Carl Jung and the shamanic tradition of ayahuasca to support this argument. The article also discusses the idea that the brain is a personality-producing "machine" and suggests that the gods could be viewed as aggregates of micro-personalities. The importance of set and setting in psychedelic experiences is also emphasized.

Main topics: entities, collective unconscious, shamanic tradition, Carl Jung, personality, gods, set and setting.

Secondary topics: ayahuasca, micro-personalities, ritualized psychedelic experiences.

Introduction
Carl Jung's experience with entities of his imagination
The existence of a collective element in individual experiences
Common entities experienced in multiple Ayahuasca experiences
The transpersonal nature of entities
Pablo Amaringo's book on Ayahuasca entities
Entities as micro personalities aggregated within societies
The brain as a personality producing machine
The importance of set and setting in psychedelic experiences
Conclusion

The Existence of Transpersonal Entities in Psychedelic Experiences

In this interview, Dennis McKenna discusses the existence of transpersonal entities in psychedelic experiences. He draws upon the works of Carl Jung and believes that there is a collective unconsciousness that manifests in these experiences. He also refers to the Ayahuasca traditions where entities are given names and are described in great detail. Although experienced as real, these entities are believed to originate from the collective unconsciousness. McKenna explains that the brain is capable of producing personalities and that personality organization is in the form of micro-personalities. When one has a rage state, for example, the anger takes on a personality. When moving towards a monotheistic vision of the world, one is moving towards the ultimate aggregation of all socially modified micro-personalities. In psychedelic experiences, one can encounter these personalities even those that have some degree of autonomy. The formation of these transpersonal entities in these experiences is influenced by the individual’s set and setting. McKenna emphasizes the importance of having an appropriate set and setting in these experiences.

Exploring the Collective Unconscious Through Psychedelics

Dennis McKenna delves deeper into the concept of the collective unconsciousness which Carl Jung had established. He explains that the brain is a personality producing machine and personality organization is in the form of micro-personalities. These micro-personalities can aggregate to create transpersonal entities that exist independently of the individual. These entities are brought to life through the individual's shift in consciousness in psychedelic experiences. These experiences are believed to manifest these transpersonal entities in unique forms, but they originate from the collective unconsciousness. McKenna further emphasizes that all individuals have several micro-personalities that influence their actions, and not just in pathological conditions. He cites the examples of rage, lust, thirst, and hunger and how these manifest as forces or personalities. Pathological conditions arise when these forces take over and disrupt the individual’s normal functioning. McKenna states that rituals and appropriate set and setting are crucial in psychedelic experiences as they act as a safe container for the transpersonal entities to manifest and minimize negative outcomes.

The Ayahuasca Tradition and Transpersonal Entities

Through the Ayahuasca tradition, McKenna discusses how transpersonal entities are ingrained in the culture and how they contribute to the collective unconsciousness. In this tradition, Pablo Amaringo and Luis Eduardo Luna wrote ‘Ayahuasca Visions’: a book that describes the paintings of the visions of Ayahuasca. The book thoroughly dissects all the elements of the entities, and they all have names and particular appearances. McKenna explains that any ayahuas Hero or trainee works within this cultural context and sees these transpersonal entities. Witnessing these entities is similar and provides suggestions about the existence of transpersonal entities.

This article discusses the existence of entities within psychedelics and their possible transpersonal nature. The author uses examples from the work of Carl Jung and the ayahuasca traditions to support the idea that these entities exist within a collective unconscious. This information can influence other areas of knowledge such as psychology, spirituality, and philosophy. It challenges us to explore the nature of consciousness and how it produces personality and perception.

However, what is missing from this article is the perspective of neuroscience and biology. It would be interesting to know how specific regions of the brain are involved in the creation of these entities and what role neurotransmitters and receptors play. Additionally, it would be valuable to explore the cultural differences in entity experience and how they relate to individual and collective beliefs and values.

The author misses the potential for contradictory evidence that may challenge the idea of a collective unconscious and transpersonal entities. While he acknowledges that some may view this as subjective, there is no clear analysis of the criticism that this concept faces. Additionally, the article lacks a more critical reflection on the potential negative effects of encountering these entities, such as the amplification of negative emotional states if not in an appropriate set and setting.

Question 1: Who did Carl Jung talk to in his imagination and what did he create from these conversations?
Answer: Carl Jung talked to entities of his imagination and created books like the red book, documenting his visionary practice and illuminating conversations with specters of his own imagination.

"...talking to entities of his imagination documenting that books like the red book he made that a Visionary practice and had Illuminating conversations with specters of his own imagination."

Question 2: What was Carl Jung's belief about the collective element of these imaginary entities?
Answer: Carl Jung believed that there was a collective element to these imaginary entities, meaning that they could also exist in a transpersonal way and possibly cross-culturally.

"...he also believed that there was a collective element to those and so you might say that well to the degree for example that we're each inhabited by dark impulses we might say well we're each pray to the same demonic forces that's one way of thinking about it and they're the same and they're transpersonal and they exist to some degree cross-culturally."

Question 3: What commonalities of entity experience have been observed in multiple ayahuasca experiences across different people?
Answer: Commonalities of entity experience in ayahuasca have been observed, particularly with regards to clown figures, mechanical clowns, elf machines, and other entities. However, it is important to note that cultural context may influence what people see and experience.

"...I have seen commonalities of entity experience that would suggest something the existence of something that is is at least transpersonal even though it might also still be subjective whatever that means in such a context... people talk about clown figures for example mechanical clowns in the DMT State and elf machines and this sort of Elvis yeah yeah exactly the health machines..."

Question 4: What is the significance of prayer life according to the article, and how can Hallow help?
Answer: The article argues that a consistent prayer life is an important aspect of returning to Judeo-Christian roots and developing gratitude and character. Hallow is a Christian prayer app that features over 5,000 prayers and meditations to help users build a habit of prayer and gratitude.

"...what isn't talked about nearly enough is the power of a consistent prayer life...Hallow is the number one Christian Prayer app in the U.S. and the number one Catholic app in the world... Use Hallow as a foundational tool to grow in gratitude and character each and every day."

Quiz 1: Carl Jung and the Collective Unconscious

Question 1: What documented practice did Carl Jung engage in for years?

a. Meditation
b. Psychotherapy
c. Visionary practice
d. None of the above

Correct answer: c. Visionary practice

Question 2: What did Carl Jung believe about the entities he talked to?

a. They only existed in his subjective imagination
b. They were completely objective and independent beings
c. They had a collective element and could exist cross-culturally
d. They were only relevant to his personal life experiences

Correct answer: c. They had a collective element and could exist cross-culturally

Question 3: What complicates the concept of entities of imagination?

a. Their lack of historical record
b. The fact that they exist only in subjectivity
c. The possibility of them having a collective element
d. None of the above

Correct answer: c. The possibility of them having a collective element

Quiz 2: Ayahuasca Traditions and Transpersonal Entities

Question 1: What is Ayahuasca?

a. A type of psychedelic mushroom
b. A spiritual practice that involves group meditation
c. A plant-based psychoactive substance used in traditional shamanic practices
d. An ancient breathing technique for accessing higher states of consciousness

Correct answer: c. A plant-based psychoactive substance used in traditional shamanic practices

Question 2: What is the cultural context of Ayahuasca visions?

a. They are completely individualistic to each person
b. They are influenced by the collective unconscious
c. They are random and have no cultural significance
d. They are only experienced in the context of Western society

Correct answer: b. They are influenced by the collective unconscious

Question 3: What is the correlation between entity experience and cultural context?

a. Entities of imagination are completely subjective and unrelated to culture
b. Each cultural context creates completely different entities of imagination
c. There can be commonalities of entity experience that suggest the existence of transpersonal entities
d. Entity experience has no correlation to cultural context at all

Correct answer: c. There can be commonalities of entity experience that suggest the existence of transpersonal entities

Quiz 3: Micro-Personalities and Transpersonal Aggregates

Question 1: What is the brain's relationship to producing personalities?

a. It produces all personalities objectively
b. It produces all personalities subjectively
c. It can produce personalities that have autonomy
d. None of the above

Correct answer: c. It can produce personalities that have autonomy

Question 2: What is the relationship between monotheism and micro-personalities?

a. Monotheism completely eliminates the concept of micro-personalities
b. Monotheism aggregates all micro-personalities into one conceptual scheme
c. Monotheism only applies to Western cultures and has no correlation to micro-personalities
d. Monotheism has no correlation to conceptualizing personality at all

Correct answer: b. Monotheism aggregates all micro-personalities into one conceptual scheme

Question 3: What is the importance of ritual in Psychedelic experiences?

a. It has no importance and is unrelated to the effects of Psychedelics
b. It can help avoid a negative emotional state or situation that could magnify negatively
c. It is only important in traditional shamanic practices, not in modern Western use
d. It doesn't matter if there is a ritual or not, the effects will be the same

Correct answer: b. It can help avoid a negative emotional state or situation that could magnify negatively

Tips based on the content of the article:

Understand that entities experienced during psychedelic experiences can be both personal and transpersonal. It is important to remember that these entities come from the individual and collective unconscious and can have histories and personalities. This tip can be applied in everyday life by recognizing the underlying motivations and impulses behind emotions and thoughts and understanding that they may be influenced by the shared unconscious experiences of humanity.
Recognize commonalities in entity experiences. It is important to acknowledge that certain entities or archetypes may be experienced across cultures and traditions. This can be applied in everyday life by studying the common threads in different worldviews and recognizing that different cultures may share similar archetypes and symbols.
Emphasize the importance of set and setting. The context in which psychedelic experiences occur plays a critical role in determining the outcome of the experience. This means that the emotional and psychological state of the individual, as well as the physical environment, are key factors. This tip can be applied in everyday life by prioritizing self-care, stress reduction, and environmental factors that promote relaxation and peace.
Acknowledge the potential dangers of psychedelic experiences. While there are many benefits to psychedelic experiences, there are also risks involved. It is important to approach these experiences with caution and under the guidance of a trusted facilitator. This tip can be applied in everyday life by recognizing the potential risks involved in any transformative experience and seeking guidance and support when embarking on a new journey.
Cultivate a consistent prayer or meditation practice. While secular mindfulness practices have become increasingly popular, it is important to recognize the power of prayer and devotion in cultivating a sense of purpose and meaning in life. This tip can be applied in everyday life by prioritizing time for prayer or meditation and seeking out communities or practices that support this kind of spiritual growth.

The best tip to include in daily life is to prioritize self-care and stress reduction in order to create a positive set and setting for transformative experiences, whether they be psychedelic or otherwise. By taking care of our physical and emotional needs, we create the space for growth and transformation to occur in a safe and supportive way.