Terence McKenna

Galactic civilizations, estimated to be 10 to 100 million years old and highly sophisticated, are unlikely to make an abrupt appearance on Earth. Instead, their presence has always been subtly felt through hallucinogens. Human readiness for contact with these civilizations is contingent upon following the instructions of seeded genes and constructing the necessary apparatus. Once this is achieved, it signifies a planet’s readiness for Galactic citizenship, an event estimated to occur only every hundred to thousand years in the galaxy. This development is considered a joyous moment in the galaxy.

The utilization of psilocybin, particularly through the mushroom species Stropharia cubensis, plays a critical role in the evolution of human psychology. This hallucinogen potentially allows individuals to reconnect with what Julian Jaynes refers to as the bicameral mind—a preconscious state where guidance was provided via auditory hallucinations rather than self-aware thought. Exploring the psilocybin trance could provide insights into this ancient state of consciousness, potentially reviving a connection with a personified other that ancient civilizations interpreted as divine voices.

Julian Jaynes, in his book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, argues that modern individuated consciousness did not exist until around 1400 BC, before which humans operated almost as automatons directed by auditory hallucinations interpreted as divine commands. These voices, believed to originate from gods or deceased rulers, were integral in guiding ancient societies. However, the evolution of human consciousness and societal changes led to the decline of this bicameral state, turning the experience of hearing voices into a rare mystical or pathological phenomenon. Jaynes’ work, while comprehensive, is critiqued for not discussing the role of hallucinogenic plants, which could have significant implications for understanding these historical states of mind.