The Hofmann Report

Message From the President

We are pleased to acknowledge receipt of the complete and original collection of scientific research papers compiled as a result of Dr. Albert Hofmann's work on LSD and other compounds while Dr. Hofmann was employed at Sandoz Pharma. Currently, the AHF an d MAPS are individually and collectively analyzing these papers for relevant documentation to support prospective researchers in providing federal agencies with documentation required to undertake projects requiring protocol methods and standards. Of cour se these papers are available to all persons who may benefit from their availability.

The Albert Hofmann Foundation sponsored the first of quarterly planned "In Gatherings." These social events are being held to encourage a more visible network for like minds to meet, share ideas and hopefully attract interested persons to get i nvolved with the AHF and help turn our visions to reality. The first such gathering was held in Venice, California. It was held at our headquarters which since has been relocated to Pasadena. We were greatly pleased by the interest and support expressed b y those attending. We are now planning the next such gathering for July, 1997. If you would be interested in attending any of these events, please call or write us so we will be sure to place you on our In Gathering mailing list.

Our new Pasadena location retains an improved staff enabling better communication with the public and closing the gaps suffered in the past.

Please note our new mailing address:

The Albert Hofmann Foundation
P.O. Box 94577
Pasadena, CA 91109
Telephone: (310) 281-8110
FAX Line: (818) 793-7998
E-mail: inlaguna@sprynet.com

In addition, we maintain a Laguna Beach, California address for special project donations and the Master File Fund. You may access this by writing to:

The Albert Hofmann Foundation
1278 Glenneyre Street, No. 173
Laguna Beach, California 92651

Our psychedelic museum/library is gaining much momentum and support. If you wish to donate personal collections to be held in trust by the Foundation for generations to come, we would be interested in discussing your materials and various methods for tran sferring your personal property to our non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation via tax credit vehicles. Much of what we have gathered thus far will be on display at the next In Gathering.

Once again, thank you for your continued interest and support.
Ron Brettin, President

Tribute to Willis Harman, President, Institute of Noetic Sciences
AHF Advisor and Member of the Board of Directors

On January 30, 1997, the world lost Willis Harman, one of its most dedicated and enthusiastic advocates committed to people around the globe reaching their full capacities as human beings. Through his own personal experience, he came to dramatically see a nd understand the true nature of man, and the enormous potential that lies within each and every one of us waiting to be realized. This understanding contained a full appreciation of the glory of our universe, and the garden of Eden that could be attained on earth if humans everywhere were willing to expand their consciousness to a full understanding of the nature of reality and of themselves.

Once a professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, and having a brilliant mind, he was fully equipped not only to envision man's enormous possibilities, but saw clearly the obstructions we set in the way to prevent full realization. It was from this understanding, and an intense desire to do whatever he could to advance higher consciousness, that he took over the leadership of the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Under his direction, this Institute grew to a large, proficient organization of over 50,000 members, one of the most effective groups on the planet to reveal to the world humankind's ultimate capacities. Over the years Willis became recognized as an outstanding speaker and lecturer, a profound thinker on the nature of man and his full attributes, particularly those that evade many of our mainstream scientists and political leaders and yet which are vital ly essential to mankind's further evolution, if not survival. He has been an organizer of new movements, and a teacher and inspirer to those who worked closely with him. He has been author of many books and articles which one day must certainly turn out t o be visionary forecasts of the solutions to humankind's most serious problems. There are many who mourn him all over the world, and are deeply saddened and concerned by the departure of such an important, influential figure. Much information has been and is being put together on Willis, his life and his contributions. I will focus here on an area that was a great key to his life, and yet which he purposely held in reserve so as not to negatively influence the work or support of the Institute of Noetic Sciences. This was his work with psychedelics, which was a powerful instrumental factor in demonstrating to Willis our transpersonal nature and the presence of Divinity in the scheme of things.

Willis, through his own experience and observation of others, became very early convinced of the power of psychedelic agents as enormous mind openers, and powerful learning tools. In 1965 he and his cohorts Robert Mogar, Robert McKim, and James Fadiman had convinced San Francisco State College to set up The Institute of Psychedelic Research, whereby all the promising applications of psychedelics could be explored and evaluated. Unfortunately, the adverse publicity with regard to psychedelics became so powerful that the University withdrew. It was not long until research in all areas was abandoned in the United States. This happened despite the very promising results of the work of many investigators who had sufficient understanding and the requisite human qualities to employ them properly. Willis was convinced that there were other means of exploration and demonstration that would confirm the same basic truths. As a matter of policy he elected to have IONS pursue these alternative approaches, and not be under the cloud of the stigma that had grown toward psychedelics. By this time the negative stigma associated with psychedelics was so powerful that researchers concerned about the future of their careers would not dare touch them, apart from a few dedicated individuals.

While numerous dynamics in our society led to the adverse evaluation and consequent legal prohibitions of even possessing such substances, it became clear in retrospect that psychedelics brought in too much reality and too bright a light of honesty for a self-centered, materialist world. The frightened, universal response was to ban them altogether, thereby avoiding the necessity of understanding extraordinary forms of experience, or exposing the unhealthy aspects of popular mainstream values. In due time , as more stability and understanding of transpersonal dimensions began to penetrate to knowledgeable persons, Willis became more willing to acknowledge the roots of his personal transformation. He accepted a position on the Board of Directors of the Albe rt Hofmann Foundation, subscribing to our goal of world education regarding the importance and potential of psychedelic substances, and the importance of resuming research in this very important field. He has made several public appearances describing his early personal experiences and research, particularly on creativity.

Before the advent of psychedelics, and while teaching Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, Willis had become quite fascinated with the field of extrasensory perception, and felt that investigations in this area would be the most effective way o f alerting people to their remarkable, unrealized potentials. Then came along an astounding character by the name of Al Hubbard, who liked to call himself Doctor based on rather nefarious credentials. Al was addressed by his longtime closest friends as Captain. An almost instant rapport developed between Al and Willis. It was as if Al represented a wise, loving father. There was no question that his open, fun loving, often scurrilous behavior was a quite refreshing change from the university atmosphere. Al brought with him a considerable understanding of psychedelics and how to employ them effectively, and soon won Willis over. I had the good fortune to be present at one of Willis's remarkable openings, which took place during a drive returning from Death Valley.

Hubbard knew of Willis's attachment to extrasensory phenomena and the value he placed on it, a value Hubbard was determined to replace with much more deeply spiritual values. We were riding in a 1962 Malibu coupe, and Al was doing the driving. We made a brief stop. Starting up again, the keys were nowhere to be found. After much discussion and arguing, Al suggested that Willis look in his pocket. Much to his amazement, he came up with the keys. He was flabbergasted. He was immediately convinced that Al, through some form of psychokinesis, had transported them there to teach him a lesson. However the deed was actually accomplished, there is no question that an enormous impact was made on Willis, and his respect for Al and his teachings rapidly outgrew his interest in extrasensory phenomena, which is the outcome Al had wished.

On this day Willis opened completely to the ultimate nature of the Cosmos, with overwhelming realizations as to the true nature of Reality and of his own position in it. He and Al could not stop laughing as fresh understanding poured in yielding new ways of looking at things, and more satisfying ways of handling many aspects of life.

Stopping at an old, deserted community known as Swansee, some ten miles east of Lone Pine, Al left us to walk over and examine some of the old deserted buildings. Willis and I remained behind outside the car. Willis got my attention and pointed down to the ground. The edge of the shadow made by the cartop was moving slowly back and forth over the ground! We both knew that God was demonstrating His power. Simultaneously, Al was nowhere to be seen. We both immediately concluded that now since Al had proven to us beyond a doubt the reality of the existence of God, Al discorporated, and it was now up to the two of us to take this remarkable message to the rest of the world. But this burden was somewhat removed from our shoulders when Al suddenly showed up aga in, and led us into many new adventures.

Willis was a very valuable member of the research team organized under Dr. Charles Savage, the Medical Director of the International Foundation for Advanced Study, which worked out rigorous research protocols to prove the effectiveness of psychedelic ther apy. While initially support for more definitive research seemed forthcoming from both psychiatric and government agencies, the interest in supporting this research evaporated with the growth of adverse publicity. A number of papers were published on the work completed at the Foundation, among which Willis was a prominent author. A hallmark paper which received the most widespread notice was a well-documented study on creativity: Harman, W. W., McKim, R. H., Mogar, R. E., Fadiman, J., and Stolaroff, M., & quot;Psychedelic Agents in Creative Problem Solving: A Pilot Study," Psychological Reports, 19:211 227, 1966.

A major move in Willis's life came when he transferred in 1966 from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University to the Department of Engineering Economic Systems. This transfer was encouraged by Bill Linvill, the head of the latter de partment. Linvill was an unusually clear-minded visionary who recognized the importance of Willis's work and experience, and wished him as an ally in directing education into more fruitful channels. The result was that with Linvill's backing, Willis was a ppointed a year later to the position of Director, Educational Policy Research Center, Stanford Research Institute in Menlo Park, California.

The Educational Policy Research Center was sponsored by a contract with the U.S. Department of Education. A major objective was to conduct policy research leading to two ends: (1) determine how education can best be employed to prepare citizens for the evolving future, and (2) determine how education can be employed to "design" the kind of future the policy makers desire. This required a detailed examination of possible alternative futures and their consequences.

Harman's group developed a great deal of expertise on examining various alternatives ranging from the police state possibly resulting from riots to the enlightened state comprised of a majority of self-actualized people. These alternatives were examined a s they applied to a large number of important parameters, all the way from meeting basic, essential needs to providing opportunities for individual growth and development. As the expertise of the group grew and important parameters were brought to light a nd considered, the interest in this work spread until Harman was in demand as a speaker on policy research around the world. Harman brought a refreshing new outlook on the potential of human development and the importance of such possibilities being recognized by mainstream science and policy makers in general.

Unfortunately, when the Republicans came into office, this work was canceled. However, by this time Willis had become sufficiently well recognized that he was the logical candidate to head up the newly formed Institute of Noetic Sciences, a position that he held until his recent death. This organization, through publishing periodicals, sponsoring important conferences and organizations, and through preparing or sponsoring the publication of important books, has effectively promulgated the vision that Will is Harman so devoutly pursued.

Readers of MAPS will be interested in Harman's views on the place of psychedelics in society. Here are some excerpts from statements he has made:

As an initial approach to the consideration of psychedelics, the public must become aware of the difference between psychedelics and "drugs" like crack, cocaine, amphetamines, and other hard drugs.

Psychedelics in their natural forms have been around for centuries, and the using cultures have developed effective procedures for obtaining benefits from them. It is time now to resume research with psychedelics, in both psychotherapy and religious setti ngs. For research to proceed, it is necessary for those in control to realize that science must expand to true science, and not be locked to limited epistemologies such as currently dominate official science, epistemologies which blank out the vital areas to which psychedelics can offer greatly enhanced understanding.

Harman has stated, "In the long run, I believe we will see somewhat of a merging of health care, psychotherapy, and spiritual development. In a sane society, the psychedelics could play very useful roles as a facilitating agent in psychotherapy, and a sacrament in spiritual development."

Here are a few highlights from Willis's personal reflections:

Belief is an extremely important factor. The deeper the belief, the more profound effect on our perceptions, values, and behavior. Deeply held, unconscious beliefs are the most inhibiting, and at the same time the most liberating if they can be changed.

Total trust in the universe as a deep character trait can be scary but an ultimately deeply fulfilling way to live.

The richest possible life comes from putting your whole life in the service of the evolution of the whole. Such an attitude leads to the continual discovery of unexpected, fortuitous coincidences, to an unfolding beauty and harmony in life.

Willis repeatedly has emphasized the power of affirmations to re-program the deep inner belief system. Four effective ways of affirming can be done through meditation and different forms of prayer:

1. Meditation. Meditation can, among other things, bring relaxation and inner peace; can result in stilling the mind sufficiently to reveal what lies behind the surface clutter; permit exploring other states of consciousness and arrive at insight regardin g the nature of spirit and universal consciousness. If this latter insight is powerful enough, it may be automatically affirmed and can change the core belief system. It is usually important to consciously affirm new insight to be sure that the deeper unconscious beliefs are brought into accordance with it.

2. Affirmative Prayer. Harman quotes Mark 11:24: "Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it and you will." This can work with external things, for self-transformation, and changing the deep inner beliefs.

3. "Thy Will Be Done." This is a method of moving beyond the desires of the ego mind to affirm that you want what the higher Self wants, even though the conscious mind may not know and might even fight against what the higher Self desires.

4. The Prayer of Gratitude. It is important to deliberately allow feeling of gratitude to come to consciousness and, through the power of affirmation, affect our deep beliefs. Through experience, one learns that the more one perceives the positive - views with love and positive regard for all - the more it seems one gets in touch with the real reality. It is not a point to be argued with academics; only to be tried and the results observed.

At higher levels, there is far more connectedness with other persons, until at the highest there is only the One. At the highest level of I am, I am co-creator within the universal consciousness. The whole process is purposeful, fraught with meaning. We m ay not understand the meaning fully in our ordinary conscious awareness, but it is part of Western arrogance to assume that because we don't, there is no meaning.

It has been a great privilege to have known Willis, and to have shared many outstanding developments with him. The Albert Hofmann Foundation was very fortunate to have him serve on our Board of Directors, and obtain the benefit of his great wisdom and ins ightful suggestions contributing to our operations. If his belief system is accurate, then he is still busily helping all of us who remain behind who are open to his guidance. Acknowledgements. We are very much indebted to Charlene Harman, Willis's wife, and Alise Agar at IONS for providing valuable background information for this article.

Myron Stolaroff, Editor

We are endeavoring to provide and accomplish the following plans, and with earnest support and interest it should prove obtainable in the near future:

1. Establish a new and current FDA drug master file on LSD and psilocybin.
2. Obtain permanent residence of our current office site, to expand into a full library, archive, and museum, including gathering additional available materials world-wide.
3. Institute a program for "Friends of the Foundation."
4. Plan a Media Relations Center that will supply sound accurate information on psychedelics to the media, and rapidly counter erroneous information.
5. Provide news in the field through this publication (MAPS).
6. Open the Albert Hofmann Foundation Website.
7. Sponsor scientific and social conferences on psychedelics and related topics.

At the present time our staff, through the help of volunteers, is growing in numbers and competence.

Our projects, like the Website and assessing the collection of Hofmann's papers received from Sandoz, are moving forward. We are currently operating in ideal space with ample room to store and catalog documents, operate all the necessary equipment to comp lete our electronic database, maintain good communications with those seeking further information. Through John Beresford we are setting in place the Albert Hofmann Museum, where initial exhibits will soon be available for viewing. Never before has financial assistance been so necessary and so immediately applicable to accomplishing our goals, a major one of which is to obtain permanent ownership of our current location. We urge you to become FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION.