I'm joined this episode with the creators behind EntheoMagus, Cody Noconi, Brandon Crockett, and Alex Criddle. EntheoMagus is a short documentary exploring the indications that entheogens, or psychedelics, were used in early Mormonism, particularly in the group experiences in Kirtland, OH. We discuss Cody, Brandon, and Alex's backgrounds, where they stand with regard to Mormonism, and their motivation behind this project.

We also discuss the basics behind psychedelics and what is known as the mystical experience, a state of consciousness that is accessible both through endogenous (without substances) as well as exogenous (with substances) means.

I ask them the spiritual implications behind psychedelics producing this experience, as well as the implications for Mormonism, if this is true. Many view the idea that psychedelics were used to be discounting the spirituality behind Mormonism, or to be cheapening spiritual experiences, but we discuss how that isn't the case.

EntheoMagus is a short film on the road to the goal of a more involved production. It will be shown in Salt Lake City, UTon 4/27/24, 4/28/24, and 4/29/24 and in Portland, OR on 5/11/24. Get your tickets below.

Links

EntheoMagus Website

Alex Criddle's Website

Here for the esoteric origins of Mormonism? Check out

Episode 2 or read it in on the Substack for the integrative narrative of Mormon origins:

Here for the science and spirituality? Check out:

Interview with Donald Hoffman

Interview with Bernardo Kastrup

Discussion with Bernardo Kastrup on Entropy

Please rate, share, and get in touch at mysticsandmuons@gmail.com!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:57 Brandon Crockett

07:01 Alex Criddle

11:44 Cody Noconi

16:28 The Mystical Experience

22:09 Interpreting Spiritual or Mystical Experiences

25:14 Our Mind as a Filter

27:06 Cross Cultural Mystical Experiences

29:23 Taking a Holistic Approach to Understanding Mystical Experiences with Science and Spirituality

35:30 Implications for Mormonism if Entheogens/Psychedelics were used

38:07 Psychedelics and Spirituality, The Good Friday Experiment

42:53 Clark Heinrich's Mystical Experience with Amanita Muscaria

46:41 The Problems with Dismissing Psychedelics as Hallucinations or Shortcuts

49:51 Gabe's Endogenous Mystical Experience

51:53 Can We Trust Mystical/Psychedelic Experiences?

55:19 Consensus Reality and Interpreting Psychedelic Experiences

01:02:22 Recontextualizing and Finding Meaning in Mormonism

01:04:57 Accessing Revelation and Mystical Experiences

01:07:00 The Problem with Prophets and the Shamanic Initiation Crisis

01:10:00 The Importance of Recognizing your Perspective and Bias

01:11:09 How Objective are Psychedelic Experiences?

01:13:28 Rupert Spira and Dreams as a Model for the Intersubjective Nature of Reality

01:19:09 Does it Matter if Joseph Smith used Psychedelics/Entheogens?

01:21:59 Folk Magic, the Occult, and Substances to Alter Consciousness

01:26:11 Is there Evidence of Entheogens in Early Mormonism?

01:30:06 EntheoMagus