By Simon G. Powell
The scientific study of plants and fungi able to induce states of consciousness in which the realm of the sacred is mentally and emotionally breached, is known as entheobotany. It is a rare science with perhaps no more than a handful of professional entheobotanists the world over. Along with the peyote cactus, the psilocybin mushroom stands out as one of the classic members of the entheobotanist's study list. Although various species of psilocybin mushroom grow throughout Europe and America, it is only in the last 4 decades that the Western world has come to recognise and occasionally to employ the full entheogenic potential of psilocybin.
Despite the rather fantastic visionary experiences elicited by psilocybin, there is precious little data on this unusual synergistic aspect of Nature. Direct scientific psychological research into psilocybin (as opposed to purely botanical research) is, as is the case with other entheogenic compounds, almost non-existent due to the fact that such substances are generally deemed illegal. Thus, even though there is a very strong argument to be made that entheogenic agents can aid our understanding of the nature of both consciousness and reality conception, it is unfortunately the case that little has been done over the last 40 years to pursue such a learning agenda - and this is regardless of the current booming interest in the study of human consciousness. Perhaps the wild uncontrolled excesses of the 60's are to blame for this....
In their natural unprocessed state, psilocybin mushrooms are legal to possess and consume within the shores of the United Kingdom, the most common species being Psilocybe semilanceata which can be found in large numbers throughout the UK in the autumn months. Numerous specimens have been found by this writer in regions as diverse as Devon, London's Richmond Park, the Cumbrian Lake District (even growing on the famous paths walked by Wordsworth) and Welsh Snowdonia.
But what is one to do if one passionately believes that indigenous psilocybin can be explored in order to generate valuable knowledge about the neurochemical basis consciousness? Who should one seek out if one is convinced that psilocybin can provide we humans with rare transcendental insights into non-rational aspects of reality overlooked by most modern thinkers, insights which might well have important implications about how human culture should conduct itself? Thus informed, to which university department does one apply in order to carry out such phenomenological research? In short, which academically tenured professor of 'neo-shamanism' does one approach in this peculiarly direct quest for knowledge?
The answer is none since none exist - at least in the UK. Like most of planet, no-one is doing any direct scientific psilocybin research in Britain. Any committed investigator is therefore thrown upon their own devices. It is for these reasons that for the last five years this researcher has been diligently exploring psilocybin (some 50 or so experiments utilising the legal unprocessed English mushroom) in a wholly independent fashion. This has resulted, amongst other things, in an attempt to utilise the information so garnered so as to remould our current thinking about the sort of world we find ourselves in. In this sense, psilocybin can proffer a different lens through which to view Nature. Indeed, since science itself is tacitly carried out through the lens of normal consciousness and attempts to explain Nature through the data thus acquired in normal consciousness, it is entirely feasible that a new lens be utilised through which to document Nature. At any rate, since the major finding of this writer's experimentation with psilocybin was the repeatable exposure to what felt overwhelmingly like a sacred dimension of Nature, the following can be considered as one man's effort to inoculate a conceptual model of reality with numinous potentialities.
Its time to muse freely and do some sort of honorary service to the distinctly earthy mushroom. I hereby present an altogether new theory to account for the very sacred aspect of the psilocybin experience. Given the widespread reports of users both modern and archaic that a sacred aspect of reality becomes accessed during psilocybin intoxication, it is perhaps not inappropriate to wax radical on the significance and implications of this sort of experience. What I am about to present to you is what I call the Natural Intelligence Local Activation Model (NILAM), a conceptual model or paradigm which I hope captures, conveys and delineates the full import and impact of psilocybin-induced phenomenology. As an inevitable consequence, NILAM will also provide the reader with a whole new way of looking at the nature of reality - even if for but a moment.
NILAM follows on from what little science already has to say about entheogens. Science, in particular neuroscience, has shown that almost all of the world's entheogens - such as DMT, psilocybin and mescaline - invariably mimic the neurotransmitter serotonin, specifically the 5HT-2 subtype. Presumably then, the visionary episodes these entheogens can elicit are bound up with altered patterns of neuronal firing and the concurrently altered patterns of information processing embodied by those altered neuronal firing patterns.
A web of interconnected neurons. Consciousness is likely
embodied (or even transmitted) by the neuronal information
processing systems of the human cortex
But this is all that science can tell us. Whereas this 'hard explanation' highlights those neurochemical mechanisms involved, it is still not clear why transcendental visionary phenomenology should be associated with altered patterns of neuronal information processing. In fact, one could argue that to attempt reducing an entheogenic experience to purely neuronal events is to brush aside immediately felt experience, and that if we wish to genuinely grapple with plant-induced mystical experience then an entirely different approach is necessary. Such a new approach could, from the outset, accept numinous experience as real and thence attempt to remodel our consensus view of reality so as to encompass that portion of it apperceived by mind under entheogenic stimulation. NILAM is just such an attempt to re-view the nature of reality in the light of entheogenic epistemology.
Any conceptual theory about the nature of reality - new or otherwise - must carry some fundamental axioms, a sort of background set of assumptions if you like which, once accepted or at least entertained for the duration, allow us to proceed with, and to explore, the proposed model. The main assumption underlying NILAM is as follows:
That the numinous/shamanic/sacred/transcendental nature of the psilocybin experience is real and not illusory. In other words, such an experience cannot be reduced away in neurochemical terms but must be taken to be a real and hard-felt reflection of the way the world really is. In short, reality has a sacred face normally occluded to us but which nonetheless can become apparent under certain neurochemical conditions - conditions brought about by entheogens or other practices in which a higher state of awareness is sought.
It follows from this primary assumption that any attempt to explain a sacred dimension to the world must surely do so in terms compatible with what we already know about the world. In this instance, it is probably not too controversial to suggest that the explanatory model should gel with what science already tells us about the natural world.
How then, are we to imbibe the world of Nature as presented to us via modern science with a sacred aspect, that same aspect or dimension accessed through the psilocybin mushroom and other entheogenic flora? This, in fact, is the goal of the NILAM model. I shall start by detailing what I mean by Natural Intelligence.
Science teaches us how the world or Nature manages to make such phenomenally great and ordered sense, or why, in the words of Einstein, the Universe is so incomprehensibly comprehensible. For instance, our planet orbits the sun in a regular and predictable fashion due to the fundamental law of gravity. The moon pulls the oceans due to the same gravitational force which is assumed to be universal and mathematically precise. If one were to tinker with the universal force of gravity then all matter might suddenly cease bonding and disintegrate, or even coalesce into multiple blackholes. One can comprehend universal forces like gravity as being transcendent in that the law of gravity is presumed to operate everywhere. Such fundamental laws permeate reality just as software laws permeate an on-going computation. Once 'in place', laws serve to process a system. In the case of the law of gravity, the system it operates upon is the material Universe.
Science further teaches us that the sun emits radiation due to a chemical reaction whereby hydrogen is converted into helium such that some of the matter is turned into energy, a process which again proceeds due to the precise force of gravity manifesting within the sun (as well as the precise atomic properties of hydrogen and helium). We are also led to believe that this same solar radiation is converted into gross matter within the Earth's biosphere by photosynthetic cells within plants. The instructions needed by plant organisms to carry out photosynthesis are found in the form of a 4-bit linguistic code within DNA. This same DNA code, found in all organisms, can vary and mutate and this can give rise to evolution through natural selection. And so on.
These widely accepted examples of the workings of Nature as revealed by scientific enquiry are, in the main, simply factual. We learn these sorts of thing at school and take it all for granted. Yet, what science essentially provides is mutually confirmed data and models or theories to explain that data. But, at heart, it is all interpretation. How one interprets the data provided by science (such as the laws and constants of physics) is a personal affair and there are many ways of interpreting fundamental aspects of Nature. The notion of Natural Intelligence is just such an interpretation, albeit a novel one.
The concept of Natural Intelligence holds that Nature is intelligent. By this, I mean that the laws and constants of Nature - like gravity, nuclear forces, etc - reflect some sort of intelligent coding. Just as your DNA contains a neat coded script for your organism, so too, according to the notion of Natural Intelligence, is Nature coded with the ability to yield the evolution of stars, planets, organisms and, eventually, conscious intelligence as embodied within the human brain. One can therefore liken the laws of physics and the constants of Nature to a compressed code or ultra-smart algorithm that, over time, unfolds an 'intent', just as an organism is the unfolded and expressed 'intent' of its constituent DNA. Another way of putting this is to say that universal laws and constants are a kind of precise software which determines the orderly evolution of the Universe.
Either way, the idea of Natural Intelligence maintains that the software or code governing the evolution of the Universe is intelligent and not accidental, that Nature is inherently smart and instrumental in manifesting smart information-gaining processes (like evolution). In this paradigm, the Universe is like a seed whose fundamental fabric (laws, constants etc) contains an intent of some kind. The code is 'read out' over time and we find the inexorable step-wise formation of suns, galaxies, life on Earth, and the eventual emergence of human consciousness which is then able to reflect upon the nature of suns, galaxies, life on Earth and so on. In the words of complexity scientist and writer Stuart Kauffman, we find ourselves "at home in the Universe", a Universe which was always poised to perform such creative organismic magic.
The self-organisational properties of Nature on scales both macroscopic
and microscopic strongly indicate the presence of Natural Intelligence
Many scientists would disagree with the above interpretation. They would interpret Nature in a different way. They would hold that the laws and constants of the Universe are but brute facts about reality which deserve no further enquiry as to why they are the way they are (it 'just happens' that we are at home in a creative Universe). In this view, the software running the Universe just happens to be of an unusually creative kind for no reason whatsoever. That stable and enduring suns form, go supernova, spew out heavy elements which go on to form planets like the Earth, is taken to be a brute factual property of Nature. That carbon atoms can thence aggregate in complex ways under certain planetary conditions so as to form linguistic/algorithmic chains of DNA, is likewise considered to be simply brute fact. That chains of DNA can code for amino acids which then code for proteins which can then go on to form sophisticated organs like the heart, or the liver, or lungs, or densely intricate billion-cell nervous systems, is again considered to be an essentially pointless manifestation of a non-intelligent Universe. And finally, that brains could evolve able to embody self-reflective consciousness which subsequently leads to culture and technology in which information about all the above is sent whizzing around the planet in the domain of cyberspace is once again considered to be an essentially accidental aspect of the way Nature just happens to be.
In this common interpretation, Nature just happens to have a staggeringly creative capacity, Nature just happens to have been blessed with the huge constructive organismic power that is DNA. Likewise, Nature just happens to have been always poised to bring forth consciousness. In short, Nature is purposeless and reasonless i.e. She literally be a mindless brute graced with zero intelligence. Only humans possess high intelligence, or so we are told, and not Nature.
On the other hand, the theory of Natural Intelligence cannot accept that all this law-derived complexity, all this wealth of novelty generation and negentropic activity are but 'lucky' brute facts. In the same way that we look to intelligible DNA coding to explain the fantastically ordered structure of an organism, so too can we view the evolution of the reality process as being the unfolding potential of a code, an intelligent code written into the software-like fabric of the Universe.
If we entertain this idea that Nature is intelligent in some fundamental way, then we are equipped to approach NILAM, the Natural Intelligence Local Activation Model so as to account for the numinous face of Nature. For it is my contention that what we call the numinous is no less than Natural Intelligence made locally and gloriously manifest within an individual psyche.
Consider the following thought experiment (the first of 2). Consider a vast intelligence. Not only vast but eternal. And forever in the process of transformation. It might be that the intelligence of the Universe - in the form of its software-like laws and constants - is intent on transforming itself through the very evolution of the Universe. Let us suppose that 'before' the big-bang, that the intelligence was in one kind of timeless globally unified state. Let us further suppose that the intelligence 'downloaded' itself, or distributed itself within the birth of the Universe, that it set the Universe in motion in order to transform/translate itself from one state into another. What was once consciously intelligent now becomes changed into the material information of the Universe along with the rules or laws of the Universe, like a kind of distributed and enfolded intent. Or, even, like the most immense computation we can imagine.
As the Universe naturally evolves according to this coded intent, so too does the intelligence gradually reform itself over the aeons. Now, it makes sense that if anything is in the business of reforming itself, then something out of which it is to be re-made must cohere in some way. What is it in the Universe which is cohering? Matter? Energy?
I propose that it is information that is cohering, that the inherently coded intent of the reality process is set to integrate information to the point that Natural Intelligence 'wakes up', that the intelligence behind the Universe is set to realise itself in some new form. I would also surmise that this new form will involve human consciousness, since it is arguably consciousness which represents the leading edge of information integration and highly evolved information processing.
In this scenario then, what entheogenic plants do is to activate a dormant or latent aspect of Natural Intelligence. Once entheogenic plants are ingested, they set off a subtle and sophisticated chain of alchemical events which foster the influx of integrative information within the cortex to such an extent that the Natural Intelligence of the Universe becomes very much apparent. This intelligence thus becomes focused for a brief moment, or at least the entheogen user can potentially divine that a 'higher intelligence' is evident within reality.
The key point I think, is the notion that the full potential of Natural Intelligence is essentially dormant or latent until it dramatically 'comes to life' once material conditions are conducive to its manifestation. These key conditions can transpire either through entheogenic agents or through all manner of other spiritual/shamanic pursuits. But once the apropos conditions are manifest, then the full potential of Natural Intelligence becomes realised, and is experienced as a brief burst of numinosity - the felt presence of the Other as Terence McKenna calls it. This means that not only is Nature ultra-smart, but that various aspects of its intelligence can 'come on line' as it were should we set up the right conditions and, indeed, ask the right questions. The information pertaining to the Big Picture is thus 'out there', it just needs the right organic orchestration to facilitate its coherence.
The psilocybin mushroom and modern human culture
make for an interesting and revealing form of Gaian synergy
One must invariably resort to analogies of some kind when discussing overtly speculative metaphysical issues such as these. Due to our era, I find myself drawn to computer analogies. What I am proposing is that entheogenic plant alkaloids serve as activation programs. That when utilised i.e. run, they open the user to aspects of the reality process which, until then, have remained inactive. This dormant aspect of reality is linked to the hypothetical intelligence underlying reality. Whereas Natural Intelligence normally operates over immense timespans (through the semi-exhaustive process of biological evolution), given the right neurochemical connections in the conscious human cortex, then Natural Intelligence becomes locally manifest in a relatively intense and short space of time - right here and right now as it were. The potential (or information) was there all along, only now it becomes activated within an individual psyche.
The following second thought experiment can be used to better grasp NILAM. It requires two components; the late Tim Leary - whom I am sure would not object to being so utilised - and a big computer system reminiscent of the Holodeck used in Star Trek: The Next Generation. I choose the Holodeck since, in principle, it is a vast computer with a vast memory and blessed with vast powers of simulation.
Now, let us imagine that the late Tim Leary actually lived in the future when a powerful Holodeck computer system is/was available. Let us assume that Tim Leary is ageing and wants to avoid immanent death. To achieve this, he contacts the operators and engineers of, say, the company that make Holodecks. He tells them that he wants to rewrite his existence within the simulation space of a Holodeck. He tells the operators that this simulated version of himself must be an exact replica, apart, say, from being old and slightly worn. In other words, Leary wants to be recreated within the Holodeck with all his memories intact but in a younger body and with the possibility that he can 'do infinitely interesting things' whilst in the Holodeck. Can the Holodeck company oblige?
Leary offers them all his money. Some bartering goes on. Eventually some Holodeck programmers agree to Leary's request. There's only one problem. To achieve the simulation, they need to feed the Holodeck all the information that Leary embodies. This can only be achieved by converting all of Leary's physical mass into a optical and digital beam of information-rich energy. This astonishingly long beam of digital information will be 'passed through' some appropriate software to get rid of the old-age elements and thence be reconstituted within the virtual simulational space of the Holodeck. In this way shall Leary be reborn.
Leary is pretty horrified. Understandably so, since he thought he could be recreated without drastic recourse to actual physical destruction. Still, it appears that this is the only way to proceed (physical destruction also gets rid of any so-called twin paradoxes). The programmers also warn Leary that once he has been converted into a digital energy beam then for all intents and purposes he will be dead and unconscious. But, they insist, once the simulation gets going, he will be safely reassembled within the computing space of the Holodeck and thence be able to enjoy infinite powers of virtual exploration. The programmers also add that they will set up the program to create a virtual yes/no computer which will respond yes/no fashion to any sensible queries uttered by Leary whilst he is in the process of being reborn - just so he doesn't get too confused...
Leary takes a deep breath, agrees to the deal, signs a few papers, parts with all his accrued wealth, and then steps into the initially fatal conversion machine....
What transpires within the computing space of the Holodeck? Well, one can imagine the following events. The computer program begins to re-assemble a virtual version of Leary by utilising an evolutionary algorithm. All the untold billions of 'bits' of Leary are brought together into an interactive soup, whereby some bits cohere. This coherence, let us say, depends upon some a priori 'teleo-template'. In other words, all the 'bits' of Leary react with one another and those that 'fit' or 'make sense' according to the context of the teleo-template are selected and get to cohere further. In this manner, a real sort of evolution occurs. In this case, what acts as natural selection is the contextual effect of the teleo-template which the computation is teleologically bound to strive to effect. All 'bitty' coherences/constructions that in any way match the teleo-template are selected, whilst others are deconstructed. Some bit patterns, of course, might only be selected according to the contextual effect of the teleo-template for a short period of time, which means they only make sense, or are 'successful', until they are seen to be in error and thence are deconstructed.
At any rate, eventually macro-conglomerates of bits form which cohere more and more as the computation proceeds towards the final form coded into the program running the computation. Each and every computational step brings a complete and fully-functioning Leary more and more into existence.
Finally, all bits are assembled and Leary is reborn. The template is matched. Leary wakes up. Perhaps he declares: "I am Leary! I exist! I am!". What happens next is up to your imagination. But recall that the programmers provided Leary with a virtual yes/no computer to answer any queries he might have. So, first off, the newly emerging Leary might be confused, a little shocked perhaps. At least he is likely to be somewhat dazed. If he can make a connection with the virtual yes/no computer and ask it questions, then slowly it will dawn on him who and what he is. He merely has to realise the inherently smart capacity of his virtual environment so as to wake up more and more to his real condition. As he remembers who and what he is, so too does he awaken more to the true nature of his astonishing reality.
The point of the above thought experiment is to highlight the notion that teleology is possible in a Universe in which the laws of physics and the constants of Nature are designed so as to foster evolution (those laws compose an ultra-smart algorithm or, if you like, an a priori meaningful context). If the software of the 'universal computation' is indeed non-random and ultra-neat, then evolution must have some final point, purpose, or output. If this is so, then Natural Intelligence is real. And if Natural Intelligence is real, then one can imagine that it is bound up with the experience of the numinous, that numinous/transcendental experiences are short communions or felt insights into the intelligence which set the reality process in motion.
In summary, I would suggest that if we entertain the notion of Natural
Intelligence then the Universe can be seen to be coded to integrate information (eventually
via consciousness which, incidentally, means 'knowing together'), and that given the right
neurochemical conditions (such as those conditions supplied by psilocybin), then a latent
potential of Natural Intelligence becomes activated. When this local activation occurs, the
numinous or sacred face of Nature becomes accessible, a face that was always waiting to show
an appearance once conditions were appropriate. Should this face be perceived en masse i.e.
be reflected within the mirror-like matrix of the noosphere (the collective consciousness
of the planet), then Natural Intelligence will surely be on goal to achieving its ultimate
intention. For then Nature/the Universe will begin knowing itself for what it really is.