I haven't actually managed to find much info on what people other than his devotees think of him. One day I unthinkingly opened an email from evolver/reality sandwhich or whatever to find they were offering discounts on some advanced membership scheme.

I seen this email just before a trip and it gave me bad vibes - it offered the teaching of 'Sacred Activism' and it all sounded like a twisted version of what the psychedelic experience is about. Kind of like a new Scientology I suppose.

I think the psychedelic community is getting on fine without Pinchbeck or his finances, quite frankly he is a pain in my neck and I can't quite understand why. Just a bad feeling.

Anyone have any thoughts to verify my sanity? Or otherwise?

I don't take him seriously for that reason.

hmmm..I do respect what Pinchbeck does with reality sandwich and evolver...I like reality sandwich and have a membership there but wouldnt pay for some extra membership..

I read both breaking open the head and 2012..breaking open the head was interesting to read and I enjoyed it..2012 though was kinda iffy..alot of weird ideas just sort of mashed all together in there without any solid relevance to solidify the theme behind the book..Pinchbeck is ok, but he's no Mckenna.

I actaully felt like you do afte reading 2012. I thought pinchbecks books were just an eyesore to the whole psychedelic movement...he really stresses this whole 2012 thing, which is ok but his book 2012 was just weird..he does do alot with reality sandwich though and seems to realize that if anything, 2012 is a self fullfilling prophecy..at least thats the vibe I get..so I respect the fact that even though his book was less than adequate IMO, he is at least making a conscious effot to bring about the change he talks about.

I agree that Reality Sandwich and Evolver are really amazing, and the communities of people I've met through those organization have been stunning. I think it's really important to create a network of people who have a visionary consciousness-oriented view of the world, and Reality Sandwich/Evolver has done a great job at starting that.

My friend volunteers for Reality Sandwich and she's told me that there are only three or four paid employees that put the whole thing together, everything else is done by volunteer work and donations. The money that RS/ESM+ raise goes to good use, they get a remarkable amount done with their limited resources. Whatever you think of Daniel Pinchbeck, I think, doesn't necessarily have to be associated with the movement at large.