Plants of the Gods

Plants of the Gods: Religion and Psychedelics is an elective course by William 'Bill' Barnard. It offers an in-depth exploration of the religious use of psychedelic substances, known as entheogens, such as psilocybin mushrooms, peyote, and ayahuasca. Through examining their use in various religious traditions throughout history, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the powerful visionary and mystical experiences entheogens can catalyze and their potential to facilitate communion with sacred beings.

  • 149 Enrolled
  • University
  • Last updated Oct '23
  • English
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Course Description

Plants of the Gods: Religion and Psychedelics is an elective course by William 'Bill' Barnard. It offers an in-depth exploration of the religious use of psychedelic substances, known as entheogens, such as psilocybin mushrooms, peyote, and ayahuasca. Through examining their use in various religious traditions throughout history, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the powerful visionary and mystical experiences entheogens can catalyze and their potential to facilitate communion with sacred beings.

In addition to exploring the religious and cultural significance of entheogens, the course also delves into the history of the reception and rejection of these substances in Western culture. The course highlights the scientific study of the therapeutic effects of entheogens, which flourished from the 1950s to the early 1970s and have recently resumed with promising results.

Taught by Dr G. William Barnard, a Professor of Religious Studies and a leading scholar in the field of mysticism and consciousness studies, this course provides a unique and comprehensive perspective on the religious and spiritual significance of entheogens. By the end of the course, students gain a deeper appreciation of the role of entheogens in human spirituality and their potential for therapeutic benefit.

You will learn:

  • What is Bwiti?
  • Roles in Bwiti initiation/treatment
  • Instruments in Bwiti: ngombe, mogongo
  • What is an Nganga
    • Maboundi/Yombo
    • Maboundi/Yombo
  • Sustainability/reciprocity

You will learn:

  • History of the Fang tradition
  • Dissumba vs. Dissumba Fang
  • Ombwiri/Mbumbayano Fang
  • The kambo
  • State of Fang Bwiti in Gabon
  • Impact of Westerners coming to work with the sacred wood

You will learn:

  • History of the Missoko tradition
  • Various branches of Missoko initiation:
    • Miobe/Mioba
    • Ngonde Na Dipuma
    • Sengedia
  • The impact of logging on the tradition
  • What the future of Bwiti could look like in Gabon

You will learn:

  • History of Dissumba
  • Various branches of Dissumba initiation:
    • Abanji/Mabanji
    • Ilombo
    • Ombwiri
    • Ombudi
    • Loro
  • The ngombe (sacred harp)
  • Healing rituals involved in her tradition
  • Training to serve the wood
    • What does it involve?
    • How long does it take?

instructor-image

Tatayo

Instructor

About Instructor

Tatayo (“Fruit of the Wind”) first arrived in Gabon in 1971 at the age of 21 and became a Gabonese citizen. In 1979, he became the first white person to be initiated into the Bwiti Fang tradition in Gabon. In 1994, he was initiated into the Misokko tradition. As a guide for numerous expeditions and missions, including those of National Geographic, the BBC, and others, Tatayo is considered to have “opened the door” to westerners in Gabon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for start and finish dates/times. This course is currently being offered live and dates/times will change throughout the year.

$0

This course includes

  • Modules 1
  • Duration 15 Weeks
  • Skills University
  • Language English
  • Availability Cohort
  • Certificate No
Plants of the Gods Course Image