Chris Bennett has been researching the historical role of cannabis in the spiritual life of humanity for more than a three decades. He is co-author of Green Gold the Tree of Life: Marijuana in Magic and Religion (1995); Sex, Drugs, Violence and the Bible (2001); and author of Cannabis and the Soma Solution (2010); Liber 420: Cannabis, Magickal herbs and the Occult (2018); and Cannabis: Lost Sacrament of the Ancient World (2023) . He has also contributed chapters on the the historical role of cannabis in spiritual practices in books such as The Pot Book (2010), Entheogens and the Development of Culture (2013), Seeking the Sacred with Psychoactive Substances (2014), One Toke Closer to God (2017), Cannabis and Spirituality (2016) and Psychedelics Reimagined (1999). Bennett’s research has received international attention from the BBC , Guardian, Sunday Times, Washington Post, Vice and other media sources. He currently resides in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Summary

Chris Bennett discusses his extensive research on cannabis and its historical, spiritual, and cultural significance. He critiques contemporary narratives surrounding psychedelics, particularly the mainstream acceptance of works like 'The Immortality Key,' while emphasizing the overlooked role of cannabis in ancient religious practices. Bennett shares his personal journey into cannabis research, the impact of monotheism on ancient practices, and the Gnostic perspective on spirituality. He reflects on the nature of consciousness, the influence of belief systems, and the future of cannabis in spiritual contexts. He describes his newest book Cannabis - The Lost Sacrament of the Ancient World. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chris Bennett and His Work

03:30 The Immortality Key and Its Controversies

06:19 Cannabis in Ancient Cultures and Religion

09:15 Personal Journey and Early Experiences with Cannabis

12:18 The Historical Context of Cannabis Use

15:24 The Gnostic Perspective on Spirituality

18:07 The Role of Cannabis in Early Christianity

21:28 The Nag Hammadi Library and Its Significance

34:20 The Sacred Feminine and Cannabis in Ancient Myths

37:12 Cannabis and the Goddess: A Historical Perspective

40:13 The Gnostic Texts and Their Implications

42:29 Collective Consciousness and Spirituality

47:10 The Role of Cannabis in Modern Spirituality

51:31 The Dangers of Righteous Belief Systems

54:51 The Nature of Reality and Consciousness

58:19 The Influence of Religion on Society

01:01:02 Final Thoughts and Legacy

01:04:53 Podcast exit terence  - 8:9:24, 8.01 PM.mp3

Chris Bennett’s New Book- https://a.co/d/i3py0eO

https://www.instagram.com/chris_bennett420/?hl=en

Keywords

Chris Bennett, cannabis, spirituality, ancient religions, Gnosticism, monotheism, consciousness, healing, historical context, belief systems, Marijuana, Ancient civilization, Psychedelics, Psychedelic, Hidden history, Ancient History,

Music for every episode 

Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic

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