Timeless maps for explorers of the mind

‘The subtle, yet pervasive, entrapment of man through the illusion-generating processes of sense perception has been a central theme of mystics, prophets, seers and teachers for as long as mankind has been inquiring into the nature of consciousness.’ Ralph Metzner

Psychotherapist Ralph Metzner, who died in 2019 at the age of 82, began his career working with Timothy Leary in the 1960s on controversial studies at Harvard University involving LSD and other psychedelics and then dedicated his life to exploring and writing prolifically about how human consciousness can be expanded in diverse settings and cultures.

Now, Metzner’s acclaimed landmark work of 1971, Maps of Consciousness, appears in an impressive new edition from Park Street Press (October, 2023) with a timely new sub-title: The classic text on exploring the mind and expanding awareness. It makes for a commendable tribute to this late pioneer in consciousness research.

Originally published as Maps of Consciousness: I Ching, Tantra. Tarot, Alchemy, Astrology, Actualism, Metzner, with keen insight and erudition, analyses these six ancient and venerable practices for achieving expanded awareness and freeing ones consciousness from outside limitations and cultural conditioning. He includes exercises relevant to each system which the reader can follow, if so inclined.