In February and April 1996, with my partner Anja, I have attended Santo
Daime rituals in Holland and interviewed devotees from Santo Daime churches
in Italy, France, Germany and Spain besides the Madrinha of the Amsterdam
church.
In May 1996 we spent 3 weeks in Brazil where we took part in four separate
religious rituals where ayahuasca was consumed: a Brazilian Santo Daime
church; a Peruvian shamanistic ritual, a Unaio do Vegetal church and a Barquinia
church service. During the summer of 1996, we have attended private services
of the Santo Daime and UDV in London. We also had some personal spiritual
experiences involving entheogens.
In October 1996, we went to California where we took part in several workshops
involving the use of entheogens; see our draft accounts are on this site.
In November 1996 I publicised a 'survey' of people who have had spiritual
experiences induced by a drug. So far I have had very good response from
individuals describing their experiences and what they learned. Many people
have also offered to write for me, and so I am collecting an archive of
experiences which I intend to use as examples for readers to learn from.
New responses are still very welcome!
In February 1997 we visited Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela where we interviewed
people in search of a shaman and also organisers of visits.
We are always open to suggestions and glad of introductions.
Now, September 1997, I have got down to the editing of the book with the
help of my assistant Michelle Pauli <michellep@ndirect.co.uk>. We
are still looking for accounts of experiences which may be relevant, particularly
involving shamanism, and more responses to the survey.
©Nicholas Saunders 1997
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