Reddit Reddit reviews Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge

We found 27 Reddit comments about Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

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27 Reddit comments about Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge:

u/BlackFlagZigZag · 24 pointsr/ChapoTrapHouse

LMAO

>Peterson:

>I read The Cosmic Serpent, by Jeremy Narby (https://amzn.to/2J2IklU) and found it interesting. It's far from obvious what people can and can't see under the influence of psychedelics. And I didn't "claim" anything. I put forward a tentative hypothesis. That is by no means a claim. If you have a better idea, put it forward.

>/u/BBDG

>From your lecture: ?>https://twitter.com/zei_nabq/status/997575537089564672/video/1

>I really believe that's a representation of DNA

u/warmrootbeer · 19 pointsr/science

Not exactly concrete, but several years ago I read a book called The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge.

The name of this thread reminded me of it, and I came here to share the recommendation with anyone interested.

Long story short (please read the book if you're interested) an anthropologist goes into South America, connects with a disconnected remote tribe, begins to study their... well, everything.

For instance, Ayahuasca has an extremely complex preparation procedure, involving a root from one and bark of another plant, combinations of drying and heating, etc. and if the process is not properly completed, you can end up with a toxic brew instead of your hallucino-spirit drug.

When our author would ask how they came to such a complex and seemingly random process, the shaman told him "The plants told us."

He starts to take such answers at face value, and draws some very interesting and awesome theories. The book is a great read, especially for a skeptic.

Relevant: The paintings and art of the shaman this particular anthropologist was involved with were very, very clearly (in some instances) depictions of micro-biological constructs. Here a mitochondria, there a cell wall, here some proteins, etc.

The ultimate "theory" posed by the book involves the idea that DNA is a language commonly "spoke" by all living organisms, and that there are ways to tap into that level of language to communicate on a more literal level.

Not... concrete, but still very interesting, and scientific in nature. :)

u/[deleted] · 14 pointsr/skeptic

That hardly seems like an unbiased book. The problem with books like that is that even greatly sourced books, can still use random data to conclude wacky things, like information bouncing off of DNA crystals as the origin of knowledge in the form of a pair of serpants. (Interesting book by the way. The guy is crazy, but a fun kind of crazy).

Here is an actual, scientific study (link stolen from another redditor on another thread).

u/seagoonie · 11 pointsr/spirituality

Here's a list of books I've read that have had a big impact on my journey.

First and foremost tho, you should learn to meditate. That's the most instrumental part of any spiritual path.

 Ram Dass – “Be Here Now” - https://www.amazon.com/Be-Here-Now-Ram-Dass/dp/0517543052 - Possibly the most important book in the list – was the biggest impact in my life.  Fuses Western and Eastern religions/ideas. Kinda whacky to read, but definitely #1

Ram Dass - “Journey Of Awakening” - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006L7R2EI - Another Ram Dass book - once I got more into Transcendental Meditation and wanted to learn other ways/types of meditation, this helped out.

 Clifford Pickover – “Sex, Drugs, Einstein & Elves…” - https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Drugs-Einstein-Elves-Transcendence/dp/1890572179/ - Somewhat random, frantic book – explores lots of ideas – planted a lot of seeds in my head that I followed up on in most of the books below

 Daniel Pinchbeck – “Breaking Open the Head” - https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Open-Head-Psychedelic-Contemporary/dp/0767907434 - First book I read to explore impact of psychedelics on our brains

 Jeremy Narby – “Cosmic Serpent” - https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Serpent-DNA-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642/ - Got into this book from the above, explores Ayahuasca deeper and relevancy of serpent symbolism in our society and DNA

 Robert Forte – “Entheogens and the Future of Religion” - https://www.amazon.com/Entheogens-Future-Religion-Robert-Forte/dp/1594774382 - Collection of essays and speeches from scientists, religious leaders, etc., about the use of psychedelics (referred to as Entheogens) as the catalyst for religion/spirituality

 Clark Strand – “Waking up to the Dark” - https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-Dark-Ancient-Sleepless/dp/0812997727 - Explores human’s addiction to artificial light, also gets into femininity of religion as balance to masculine ideas in our society

 Lee Bolman – “Leading with Soul” - https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Soul-Uncommon-Journey-Spirit/dp/0470619007 - Discusses using spirituality to foster a better, more supportive and creative workplace – pivotal in my honesty/openness approach when chatting about life with coworkers

 Eben Alexander – “Proof of Heaven” - https://www.amazon.com/Proof-Heaven-Neurosurgeons-Journey-Afterlife/dp/1451695195 - A neurophysicist discusses his near death experience and his transformation from non-believer to believer (title is a little click-baity, but very insightful book.  His descriptions of his experience align very similarly to deep meditations I’ve had)

 Indries Shah – “Thinkers of the East” - https://www.amazon.com/Thinkers-East-Idries-Shah/dp/178479063X/ - A collection of parables and stories from Islamic scholars.  Got turned onto Islamic writings after my trip through Pakistan, this book is great for structure around our whole spiritual “journey”

 Whitley Strieber – “The Key: A True Encounter” - https://www.amazon.com/Key-True-Encounter-Whitley-Strieber/dp/1585428698 - A man’s recollection of a conversation with a spiritual creature visiting him in a hotel room.  Sort of out there, easy to dismiss, but the topics are pretty solid

 Mary Scott – “Kundalini in the Physical World” - https://www.amazon.com/Kundalini-Physical-World-Mary-Scott/dp/0710094175/ - Very dense, very difficult scientific book exploring Hinduism and metaphysics (wouldn’t recommend this for light reading, definitely something you’d want to save for later in your “journey”)

 Hermann Hesse – “Siddartha” - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/siddhartha-hermann-hesse/1116718450? – Short novel about a spiritual journey, coming of age type book.  Beautifully written, very enjoyable.

Reza Aslan - “Zealot” - https://www.amazon.com/ZEALOT-Life-Times-Jesus-Nazareth/dp/140006922X - Talks about the historical Jesus - helped me reconnect with Christianity in a way I didn’t have before

Reza Aslan - “No god but God” - https://www.amazon.com/god-but-God-Updated-Evolution/dp/0812982444 - Same as above, but in terms of Mohammad and Islam.  I’m starting to try to integrate the “truths” of our religions to try and form my own understanding

Thich Nhat Hanh - “Silence” - https://www.amazon.com/Silence-Power-Quiet-World-Noise-ebook/dp/B00MEIMCVG - Hanh’s a Vietnamese Buddhist monk - in this book he writes a lot about finding the beauty in silence, turning off the voice in our heads and lives, and living in peace.

Paulo Coelho - “The Alchemist” - https://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0062315005/ - Sort of a modern day exploration of “the path” similar to “Siddhartha.”  Very easy and a joy to read, good concepts of what it means to be on a “path”

Carlos Castaneda - "The Teachings of Don Juan" - The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge https://www.amazon.com/dp/0671600419 - Started exploring more into shamanism and indigenous spiritual work; this book was a great intro and written in an entertaining and accessible way. 

Jean-Yves Leloup - “The Gospel of Mary” - https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Mary-Magdalene-Jean-Yves-Leloup/dp/0892819111/ - The book that finally opened my eyes to the potentiality of the teachings of Christ.  This book, combined with the one below, have been truly transformative in my belief system and accepting humanity and the power of love beyond what I’ve found so far in my journey.

Jean-Yves Leloup - “The Gospel of Philip” - https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Philip-Magdalene-Gnosis-Sacred/dp/1594770220 - Really begins to dissect and dive into the metaphysical teachings of Christ, exploring the concept of marriage, human union and sexuality, and the power contained within.  This book, combined with the one above, have radically changed my perception of The Church as dissimilar and antithetical to what Christ actually taught.

Ram Dass - “Be Love Now” - https://www.amazon.com/Be-Love-Now-Path-Heart/dp/0061961388 - A follow-up to “Be Here Now” - gets more into the esoteric side of things, his relationship with his Guru, enlightenment, enlightened beings, etc.

Riane Eisler - “The Chalice and the Blade” - https://www.amazon.com/Chalice-Blade-Our-History-Future/dp/0062502891 - An anthropoligical book analyzing the dominative vs cooperative models in the history and pre-history of society and how our roots have been co-opted and rewritten by the dominative model to entrap society into accepting a false truth of violence and dominance as “the way it is”

u/JBP_SimpleText · 4 pointsr/IAmA

>I read The Cosmic Serpent, by Jeremy Narby (https://amzn.to/2J2IklU) and found it interesting. It's far from obvious what people can and can't see under the influence of psychedelics. And I didn't "claim" anything. I put forward a tentative hypothesis. That is by no means a claim. If you have a better idea, put it forward.

I once asserted the central thesis of a book I read. Now that I have been criticized for its ridiculous conclusion I no longer assert that. But just think about it, it is possible, you never know.

>I also liked this, for a slightly different take (on the universality of serpent/dragon symbolism): An Instinct for Dragons, by David E Jones: https://amzn.to/2IKnc0w

This is a book about the origins of the concept of dragons. Scientists might scoff but I see deeper than they do.

>Serpent imagery is unimaginably deep. For a discussion of the relationship between human beings and predatory reptiles (snakes, mostly) you could also read Lynn Isbell's fascinating The Fruit, the Tree and the Serpent: Why We See so Well: https://amzn.to/2IKJCTh

Snakes are dangerous, this is interesting.

u/labelm8 · 3 pointsr/ChapoTrapHouse

It actually comes from a book called The Cosmic Serpent

https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Serpent-DNA-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642

u/journeymanSF · 3 pointsr/worldnews

Good book on the subject from an anthropological point of view, The Cosmic Serpent. It gets a little out there at points, but quite honestly I had a similar experience to the author. http://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Serpent-DNA-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642

u/fattymoon · 3 pointsr/randonauts

Anyone here read The Cosmic Serpent? Documented strangeness which validates what people here are saying.

I've randonauted a few times and found it worthwhile as a way to uncover some insights into my psyche. Same for dreaming. Last night I dreamt I was the new owner of a pet store. Workers were showing me the ropes. They said I had to open the store at 6 a.m. so I could open the drapes. Then they showed me a bunch of other stuff like making dog prints of their poop. And something about a parrot wherein I was advised to wear gloves because they can bite. Lots to unpack here...

u/TLHOG · 2 pointsr/Buddhism

Maybe? This is something I've learned through experience, observation and meditation. But a lot of things will elaborate this principle. First thing that comes to mind is the four forces in physics, recently being understood as one single force that has settled into four discreet manifestations. Thats kinda hard to wrap your head around without a lot of physics knowledge though.

However, there is a book called The Cosmic Serpent that has at least one chapter that is illuminating on the subject. I've only read the bits on Google Books though.

The pretentious part of me wanted to say "only the book that is the universe," but thankfully good taste prevailed.

u/grillcover · 2 pointsr/atheism

I don't really want to comment on your postulates or discourage your thinking, but I would recommend the book, The Cosmic Serpent, in which an anthropologist examines shamanic traditions in the Amazon.

The question of how these shamans discovered the use of specific hundreds of assorted plants in the Amazon, out of the choice of tens of thousands, that cured, nourished, or tripped-out their people for millenia is central to the book, and doesn't require recourse to divine inspiration-- but it is perhaps as recondite and mysterious. It seems like a similar path of inquiry, and a wholly illuminating book of quality ethnobotany and anthropology.

Good luck in the search for truth... but it might not be wheat.

u/SilverViper · 2 pointsr/migraine

Thanks! :) That's a really good idea to wait until you are ready as mindset and intention matter quite a bit.

General Information:

/r/Ayahuasca

-http://forums.ayahuasca.com/

-good forum with general knowledge

-https://www.dmt-nexus.me/forum/
while it's mostly dmt centered, this is probably the best entheogen community online. Has some good writeups on Ayahuasca and DMT visuals are often pretty similar to Ayahuasca since it's the same chemical in most brews(n,n dmt). Breakthrough visuals are much more common on DMT but healing is rarer in my experience.

https://ayaadvisors.org/

Great review site for retreat centers. There are more in the US, especially if you look around.

Books:

The Cosmic Serpent

The Ayahuasca Test Pilot's Handbook

As for posts, this one from dmt nexus is a good primer:

https://www.dmt-nexus.me/forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=8972


Hopefully that's enough to at least get the ball rolling. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

u/practicaluser · 2 pointsr/DMT

You should start reading The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge if you haven't already. It's sitting in my "to read" pile, but if my journey took me in the direction that your experience seems to suggest, I can guarantee I'd be fast-tracking it to the top of the pile.

If you're unfamiliar with Jeremy Narby, check out this interview over at Deoxy. I have a feeling some of his notions might compliment your own.

u/atmoura · 2 pointsr/Psychonaut

Everyone should read the Cosmic Serpent. It's a little boring in the middle but don't give up halfway through. Definitely an amazing book.

u/vertr · 2 pointsr/occult

I'd recommend reading the Cosmic Serpent ( http://www.amazon.com/The-Cosmic-Serpent-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642). Narby seems to think that psychedelics allowed native people to have direct access to DNA and that it is represented in art as two intertwined serpents. Very entertaining and interesting.

u/loofa · 2 pointsr/Psychonaut

It's an archetype in the human brain. I've seen snakes on different psychedelic substances, most notably ayahuasca.

Jeremy Narby wrote a very interesting book about snake symbolism, psychedelics and DNA called 'The Cosmic Serpect'. Highly recommended.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Cosmic-Serpent-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642

u/UnmissableParadox · 2 pointsr/conspiracy

A book that you may be interested in is called 'The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge.' It's a really good read and not too long. https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Serpent-DNA-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642

u/froghuts · 2 pointsr/infp

You even listen to Terrence McKenna?? Lol you'll be fine! I say go for it.

The thing about Terrence McKenna is that, like his brother Dennis said,if he's right about even 1% of his claims, that's a very important thing in the world.

I read a book once on ayahausca and DNA where this geneticist did an anthropology thing where he went and did ayahuasca with tribes in South America to scientifically prove a connection between ayahausca and DNA. It's a VERY interesting read. He does a great job at dumbing it down to laymen's terms so that someone who's not a scientist can read the book and understand it. Then the second half of the book is all works cited. Sources for every single claim he makes during the book. So if someone wanted to they could see proof for all the things he was claiming. He does great at not adding any of his personal beliefs into the book as well, it is purely scientific. It's called the cosmic serpent : Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge https://www.amazon.com/dp/0874779642/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5QgMBbG18AQY8

u/bogotec · 2 pointsr/herbalism

For a general overview of the history of traditional herbal medicine in the West, I recommend Barbara Griggs' book, Green Pharmacy: The History and Evolution of Western Herbal Medicine.

For traditional shamanic, magical use of herbal medicinal plants, I suggest you look into the Native American tradition(s). If you are looking for something in the area of psychedelics, I can recommend one book I liked: Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge

For a bend towards energy medicine and the inner practice of herbalism, see Matthew Wood's books, for example The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification.

u/MDMA_Throw_Away · 2 pointsr/mysticism

I wanted to listen to part 2 before commenting.

I always love these dialogues. My particular fixation is with the collection of data, so this feeds my particular flavor of existence quite well.

As for content, this was my introduction to the term "pansychism" - even if I've previously been aware of the idea. So, thanks for that. I'm curious if you've read "The Cosmic Serpent" (https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Serpent-DNA-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642)? It's an interesting panpsychic exploration of DNA instigated by an anthropologist's shamanic/psychedelic experience. Worth a read.

I'm also still digesting "neo-nihilism". Interesting idea, initially. Your conversation with Peter is a great example of why I've completely fallen in love with "psychedelic philosophy". Nothing is off limits, everything should be explored.

Thank you for bringing more of the exploratory spirit to us. Looking forward to more from you.

Edit: I LOVE your logo as well! Such a clean way to bring the yin/yang, forbidden fruit, and ouroboros out.

u/herp_der_derp · 2 pointsr/todayilearned

There's actually a good book on Ayahuasca, by an anthropologist named Jeremy Narby, called The Cosmic Serpent. I read it a few years back, and it's pretty entertaining, as well as informative.

u/Imgodnigga · 1 pointr/Ayahuasca

The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge

A MUST read for anyone who has ever partaken :)

u/akashic_record · 1 pointr/Psychonaut

I recommend also reading Jeremy Narby's book "The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge."

u/CitizenLuke117 · 1 pointr/Meditation

Your DNA. Seriously. Maybe.
Read this book: The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge by Jeremy Narby
https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Serpent-DNA-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642

u/QuakePhil · 1 pointr/samharris

While I haven't read this one, it purports to answer some of these questions

https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Serpent-DNA-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642

(it does seem far fetched, although listening to the video in the OP, I'm having trouble finding where JP mentioned DNA specifically... Can anyone please link hr:mn:sc?)

u/Fluffnugget · 1 pointr/trees

I recommend this book. I read it a while back and remember it having some good information on Ayahausca and its tribal uses. I'm pretty sure that the author also tries it and gives his report.

u/d8_thc · 0 pointsr/RationalPsychonaut

The Cosmic Serpent is a good book on the subject.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Cosmic-Serpent-Origins-Knowledge/dp/0874779642