Topic: Soma

Ben Joseph Stewart compares the current push for legalized psychedelics to "Soma" from Brave New World, used to ensure "servitude without tears." He envisions a future where people live in haptic suits within smart cities, experiencing virtual heavens while the physical world is populated by "chimeras" or human-animal hybrids. He calls for an "art revolution" as the only way to discover individual gifts and resist this technological commodification of the soul.

The discussion explores the identity of Soma and Haoma, the sacred beverages of ancient Vedic and Persian religions. Chris Bennett argues that archaeological and textual evidence points to these substances being cannabis preparations rather than mushrooms. He highlights the etymological roots of the word cannabis in Proto-Indo-European language as evidence of its ancient significance.

Soma is a mysterious entheogenic beverage from the Vedic tradition, often associated with the moon god Chandra and the "nectar of the gods" known as Amrita. While its exact ingredients remain debated—with Amanita muscaria being a popular candidate—it was considered a plant, a god, and a drink simultaneously. This tri-fold nature mirrors modern perceptions of Ayahuasca as a divine intelligence.

Merrick traces the Christian communion ritual back to the Vedic "Soma" and the Zoroastrian tradition. He describes the "Vaya Paya" ceremony involving a "Yupa pole," which he identifies as the true precursor to the Christian cross. In this ancient ritual, participants would climb the pole to consume Soma—likely containing Amanita mushrooms or DMT-rich acacia—to "ascend to heaven" and see through the "Sun Door," a practice the Romans later literalized through crucifixion.