27: EntheoMagus: Psychedelics, Mystical Experiences, and Early Mormonism

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 [email protected]! 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