Terence McKenna

Paonia

Psilocybin Magic Mushroom Growers Guide book cover

Botanical Dimensions ethnobotanical preserve in Hawaii

Hanna jon 1999 mckenna terence

Psilocybe Cubensis

King Wen (I Ching)

Terence McKenna (November 16, 1946 – April 3, 2000) was an American ethnobotanist, mystic, psychonaut, lecturer, author, and an advocate for the responsible use of naturally occurring psychedelic substances. He is known for his work on shamanism; the theoretical origins of human consciousness which he dubbed the "Stoned Ape" theory; his novel ideas regarding the nature of time, introduced as "Timewave Zero"; and his expansive exploration of psychedelics, which he believed could help people achieve profound spiritual experiences, especially when used in a controlled and respectful manner.

Early Life

Terence McKenna was born in Paonia, Colorado, and developed an interest in psychology, philosophy, and the sciences from an early age. After graduating from high school, McKenna attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied ecology, shamanism, and conservation of natural resources. His early experiences with psychedelic mushrooms in the Amazon rainforest, along with his brother Dennis McKenna, were pivotal in shaping his future pursuits and theories.

Career

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, McKenna became a fixture in the burgeoning psychedelic movement, traveling extensively in the Amazon rainforest, collecting specimens of psychoactive plants, and learning from various indigenous tribes about their use of such substances in spiritual and healing practices. His experiences in the Amazon led to the publication of several books co-authored with his brother, including The Invisible Landscape: Mind, Hallucinogens, and the I Ching, which explores the duo's experiences and theories regarding psychedelics and human consciousness.

McKenna's most notable contribution to the psychedelic movement was his formulation of the "Stoned Ape" theory, which posits that the evolution of human consciousness was accelerated by the consumption of psychedelic plants by our hominid ancestors. He also developed the concept of "Timewave Zero," a formula that purportedly predicts the ebb and flow of novelty, or complexity, in the universe, culminating in a singularity of infinite complexity.

Philosophy and Legacy

McKenna's ideas were characterized by a profound optimism about the potential of psychedelics to enhance human consciousness and foster a more harmonious relationship with the natural world. He was a prolific speaker and advocate for exploring altered states of consciousness as a means of societal and personal growth. Despite his theories not being widely accepted by the scientific community, McKenna's work has had a lasting impact on the psychedelic movement and continues to influence new generations of psychonauts, thinkers, and artists.

His legacy is preserved through his numerous books, recorded lectures, and interviews, which continue to inspire those interested in the intersection of psychedelics, consciousness, and the potential for profound personal and societal transformation.

Bibliography

• The Invisible Landscape: Mind, Hallucinogens, and the I Ching (with Dennis McKenna)
• Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution
• True Hallucinations: Being an Account of the Author's Extraordinary Adventures in the Devil's Paradise

See Also

• Psychedelics in popular culture
• Shamanism
• Psychedelic therapy