Reports on the 1996 International Transpersonal Association Conference:
Technologies of the Sacred
Introduction by Stan Grof
Six Days in Manaus in May
Charles S. Grob, M.D.
The Manaus conference was a truly extraordinary event. As somebody who
was deeply involved in creating the program, I am obviously biased, but I
have by now received enough enthusiastic feedback from all over the
world to know that many others share that opinion. It was without any
doubt energetically the most powerful ITA conference yet. I know that
some people might feel that therapeutic and ritual use of psychedelics
received too much attention and was over-represented in the program.
However, there is no doubt in my mind that properly and responsibly used,
psychedelic substances represent a technology of the sacred par
excellence. I would like to thank MAPS for its major contribution to this
meeting that helped the ITA enormously to create a rich and exciting
program.
- With warm regards, Stan Grof
From May 16 to May 21, 1996 the International Transpersonal Association
held its 15th annual meeting in Manaus, Brazil. Along with the expected
array of inveterate transpersonal speakers, this year's ITA also presented
numerous lectures and discussions on psychedelic use and research.
Together with a variety of stimulating presentations on Brazilian
spiritual traditions, the psychedelic "track" offered a
fascinating perspective on an area given very little attention in recent
years. Indeed, it was heartening to observe the world of transpersonal
politics openly acknowledging, if not embracing, this long-neglected field
of psychedelic studies, particularly given its critical role during the
genesis of the transpersonal field. Special recognition should be accorded
the organizers of the conference, and in particular Dr. Stanislav Grof,
for their vision and courage in welcoming back into the transpersonal fold
open discussion of the science and cultural context of psychedelics.
A particular highlight of this year's program were the numerous
presentations on the subject of ayahuasca, the psychedelic plant
concoction indigenous to the Amazon Basin, the setting for the conference.
Given its relevance to the local region and Brazilian culture, lectures
and discussions of ayahuasca were well-attended and enthusiastically
received. One of the more exciting and noteworthy of these events was the
Psychedelics and Religion panel, chaired by veteran researcher and
theoretician Ralph Metzner, which for the first time brought together
under the same roof for open discussion senior representatives of the
three major Brazilian syncretic ayahuasca churches, the Uniao do Vegetal,
Santo Daime, and Barqui–a. Ayahuasca has had legal sanction in Brazil for
use within religious contexts since 1987 (an historical precedent of
enormous import world-wide).
Because of differences in organizational structure and political
sophistication, however, the churches have had significant disagreements
among themselves in recent years. The opportunity to jointly participate
in the ITA panel was endorsed by these senior church representatives,
Glacus de Souza Brito of the Uniao do Vegetal, Alex Polari of the Santo
Daime, and Philippe Barroso Bandeira de Mello of the Barquinia, as an
essential step in establishing rapprochement and solidarity between the
diverse religious organizations.
In addition to providing North American and European conference attendees
an opportunity to learn about these fascinating and unique religious
structures, the ITA panel has hopefully facilitated a strengthening of the
Brazilian ayahuasca movement.
Mention should also be made of the valuable contribution made by MAPS in
sponsoring the lectures and discussions on cultural and scientific
dimensions of psychedelics. Beyond adding to the substance and depth of
the ITA conference, a valuable opportunity was also provided researchers
and scholars from North America and Europe to interact with colleagues
from South America. The interchange of ideas, research strategies and
political perspectives from around the world created a stimulating and
refreshing context for discussion and consideration of future directions.
Such gatherings as the recent ITA meetings in Manaus are of vital
importance in furthering the development of this nascent and only recently
revived field of psychedelic studies. Through the ongoing support of MAPS
and other generous donors, the necessary foundation for future progress
and growth is beginning to be established.
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