Lately I've been interested in the subject of ego death, and its relation to the ceasation of 'dukkha' (worldly sufferings). I've been reading Tim Leary's 'The Psychedelic Experience', which gives instructions on how to recognise the symptoms of ego death and help initiate it.

The advice in the book is said to be geared towards longer lasting psychedelics, specifically LSD, mushrooms and mescaline. What I'm wondering is whether these techniques can be applied to DMT? Or is its duration too short? Or perhaps its so powerful that one just simply reaches this state with a high enough dosage?

Finally, am I correct in my belief that a 'breakthrough' does not equate with ego death, because the ego must be partly present if the subject is able to witness and be aware of the visions?

Any contributions would be very helpful.

Thanks

'The Psychedelic Experience' is one of those must-have items for me when I trip with friends. Thankfully, I've never needed to bust it out, but I like to always have it handy in case someone is struggling real bad with ego dissolution.

That said, I personally would feel DMT is just too short in duration for that book to have any relevance at all. By the time someone put down the pipe they'd already be so far out gone that I doubt they'd even hear you. Then there is also the possibility that while trying to read to them while in that state you actually have a detrimental effect on what they are experiencing, which would defeat the entire purpose.

Personal opinion though. Maybe others would feel differently.

I definately agree that the duration is too go ahead with the whole idea of reading the text, but do you think it would be possible to simply make use of the ideas in the book ie. recognising symptoms and going with the flow in order to achieve ego death?

I suppose what I'm trying to ask is does ego death occur on DMT in its true sense? Would it be possible to try to initiate this through meditation?

I suppose it be more effective to just use a longer lasting psy for these purposes but I was wondering if it was possible.

You better believe it.



I think you have a limited idea of what ego death actually is. A DMT breakthrough (for me) is experienced from any number of vantage points - witness being only one. Personally (and it's all subjective), I define the breakthrough as the point at which I merge with or become the experience. I am no longer there to witness; I've become the landscape itself - perpetually changing, deconstructing, reconstructing, dying and being reborn - with no awareness of any prior or alternative state of being. For all intents and purposes, while in the moment it's no more or less than that which I've always been.

And yes, I think the ideas and approach he outlines in the book are absolutely applicable. A vaporized DMT breakthrough is very brief - but when it hits, you best have your shit in order... or else it can easily turn into a bottomless opera of horror. There is nothing quite like an ego desperately fighting to maintain control. It's a lot like drowning in a sense (or what I imagine that must be like), or drowning while being electrocuted, while simultaneously being ripped to pieces...

Thanks for the response. As you've probably guessed I have yet find the courage to dive in and fully immerse myself in the DMT realm, but it has been on my mind a lot lately and this advice has helped to point me in the right direction in terms of preperation (of course I'm aware that there is no way to truely prepare but I think doing all I can before the experience would at least help to somewhat put my mind at ease).

Thanks again, the help is appreciated.

I would say having read the book would pay its weight subconsciously in the journey of DMT.

There would be no time to apply its teachings directly during.
But it would help in letting go of reality much so.

Be ware that it seems most do not breakthrough first try, you would probably be immersed with the power of the DMT and likely be present with it the whole trip, maybe.

I smoked DMT, changa for 5 years before i tried crystal DMT and had my first breakthrough. it was a dose of 50mg.

I recommend trying a very small dose, when you are ready, very small dose but hold it in as long as you can ok.

DMT does not need to be smoked..it can be taken orally and then is a longer experience very similar to mushrooms..so yes.

ON TO IT Jamie LOL i did not even think of that