4: Alchemy as Adaptation - Empirical Roots of Mysticism

In this episode we talk about a few different things, the largest portion of focus being on Todd Murphy and Michael Persinger's peer reviewed scientific study of reincarnation. Published in the Journal of Near Death Studies over 20 years ago, titled "The Structure and Function of Near-Death Experiences: An Algorithmic Reincarnation Hypothesis", this is a truly empirical look into forming a cogent hypothesis to actually explain the physics and psychology of the hypothetical reincarnation process. This study looks into Near Death Experiences and Out of Body Experiences from a comparative religious point of view, as well as the evolutionary brain sciences of memetics and the developments of the temporal lobe and the dreaming process. It as well discusses some of the actual physics required for a reincarnation process, and much more. 

But before that, we also talk a little bit about a UFO documentary I'm going to be in this year -- a documentary titled "The Experiences: From UAP to DMT". The people making the documentary and involved in it, including myself, are not "Ufologists" and are tired of the toxicity and cult mentalities found in Ufology. This documentary is set to simply be an exploration of experience from a mystical and even psychedelic point of view. One of the guests in this doc is even going to be Dr. Rick Strassman himself, the first doctor to perform clinical trials with DMT!

We discuss some alchemical principles from a practical, psychological perspective.

And lastly, we talk some about Dr. Seuss' Midnight Paintings! Dark, surrealist, and even unnerving, these paintings were Seuss' equivalent to Carl Jung's "Black Books", pieces of work that helped him purge aspects of his psyche's dark recesses. It's genuinely a beautiful story, and the paintings are all absolutely incredible!

And this episode also features a song written and performed by my friend and fellow fortean researcher, AP Strange! Under the name Cowboy Matt Hopewell, I play his song "Phantasmagoria Blues" at the end of the show, and it's a 10 minute epic of existential rambles on top of bluesy gallops and soloing. I absolutely love it and I hope you do too.

Full Gallery of Dr. Seuss Midnight Paintings

The Structure and Function of Near Death Experiences Study

The Experiences: From UAP to DMT trailer

Hunt Manual: 21st Century Demonology & Forteana

Dive Manual: Empirical Investigations of Mysticism

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