Liquid Light: Ayahuasca Spirituality and the Santo Daime Tradition

The Santo Daime is a syncretic religion that uses ayahuasca in spiritual practices. In his book "Liquid Light," G. William Barnard explores the religion's practice and transformative inner experiences, combining first-person accounts with psychological and philosophical insights. He argues that the Santo Daime offers a spiritual path that can shed light on consciousness and reality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The Santo Daime is a fascinating syncretic religion that emerged in the Amazon region of Brazil in the mid-twentieth century, and it has since spread its influence worldwide. Its spiritual practice revolves around the ceremonial use of ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic brew consumed only within the context of sacred ceremonies. In his book Liquid Light, G. William Barnard, an initiate of the religion and a scholar of religious studies, delves into the profound religious practice and transformative inner experiences of the Santo Daime community.

Through his own personal journeys into nonordinary states of consciousness, Barnard offers readers a vivid and introspective portrayal of the dramatic ritual and visionary worlds that practitioners of this tradition encounter. He seamlessly blends striking first-person accounts of the ritual life of the Santo Daime with accessible examinations of the psychological and philosophical significance of mystical states and mediumship. By bridging insider and outsider perspectives on religious experience, Barnard demonstrates how the Santo Daime offers its practitioners a transformative and profoundly illuminating spiritual path.

Liquid Light also takes a thoughtful look at the broader implications of psychedelics, arguing that entheogenic religions can provide valuable insights into a wide range of critical philosophical questions concerning consciousness, selfhood, and reality. By exploring the spiritual and psychological dimensions of the Santo Daime and its relationship with psychedelics, Barnard offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and the potential for spiritual transformation.

Overall, Liquid Light is a valuable contribution to the field of religious studies, providing a deep and insightful exploration of the Santo Daime religion and its relationship with psychedelics. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the boundaries of consciousness, spirituality, and the human experience.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 156 x 232 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231186612