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The Natural Mind: An Investigation of Drugs and the Higher Consciousness
By Andrew Weil. Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin, 1986, 226 pages, $13.95.
The Natural Mind by Andrew Weil (1986) presents an alternate way of conceptualizing drugs and consciousness. Weil's alternative perspectives on familiar concepts and introduction of new concepts aid in understanding the motivation for and effect created by using drugs. Altering states of consciousness periodically are emphasized as an innate, normal drive that when repressed can become harmful. Weil stresses that drugs are a means, but not the best method, of achieving non-ordinary experiences.
Weil takes us on a journey of achieving altered states of consciousness, and accentuates that methods like meditation produce better highs than highs obtainable by drugs. Though, "meditation requires persistence and effort" whereas "drugs seem to work powerfully and immediately" (p. 71). Drugs are viewed as limiting because of problems such as tolerance, where individuals use desperately to achieve altered states creating instability in one's life. Additionally, drugs reinforce an illusion that altered states originate from external rather than internal reality and inhibit individuals from achieving the "goal of consciousness developed to its highest potential" (p. 72). Weil suggests that highs originate in the nervous system, but individuals often mistake highs to be produced by drugs when drugs really only trigger an inherent capability.
This book argues that humans have an innate drive to experiment with altering their consciousness. Children learn antisocial expressions of altering consciousness when adults attempt to curtail this experimentation by telling children to stop spinning, for example, which creates the altered state of dizziness. Thus, the origination of the drug problem is a societal failure to provide for a basic human need. This is a radical and unpopular perspective, but one worth considering.
The Natural Mind presents a viewpoint on conceptualizing "the drug problem" and other related concepts that are revolutionary to typical approaches in attempting to solve drug issues. This line of thinking requires open-mindedness, much thinking, understanding, and reframing of ideas that have been instilled in Western society. Therefore, this book may not be appropriate for all clients. Ideal clients for bibliotherapy with this book may be late adolescent to adult, intelligent, insightful, capable of broad/global thinking and stable in recovery (if in recovery). The Natural Mind is a fairly easy read, as Weil explains the various concepts and speaks in an easy to understand fashion. Additionally, the chapters go by fast, as this is an interesting and not excessively lengthy book, making it an appropriate selection for modern psychotherapy which often is relatively brief.
This book may not be appropriate for clients who are not able to differentiate that altering consciousness does not equate solely to using drugs. Psychotherapists who lack in familiarity with substance dependence and the symptoms of this disorder should be careful in recommending this book. It is easy to misinterpret ideas and concepts presented. Weil's message may be misinterpreted as permission to use drugs, a danger for clients in recovery from substance dependence. Therefore, take caution before prescribing The Natural Mind.
Clients in early recovery may not be ideal clients to read this book, especially if they lack the aforementioned characteristics. Weil's emphasis on altered states of consciousness, discussion of personal drug experiences, and presentation of advantages and disadvantages of drugs as a means for non-ordinary experiences may be misconstrued as suggestions to regularly use drugs. The author does not discourage individuals from having drug experiences, but instead warns against limitations of drugs as a method of altering consciousness. In Weil's own words, "the chief advantage of drugs is that they are quick and effective, producing desired results without requiring effort. Their chief disadvantage is that they fail us over time; used regularly and frequently, they do not maintain the experiences sought and, instead, limit our options and freedom" (p. x, preface).
A strength of this book is Weil's presentation of "the drug problem" and the motive behind drug use in an almost unbiased approach. The author argues for and against drug use, but never lets go of altered states as the goal and better methods than drug use as the means. It is refreshing to read one's view on drugs, not only from the scientific data-driven perspective, but also from the well-documented and calculated experiential and observational perspective. Much research is laden with biases, and Weil attacks the scientific method for this flaw. Weil argues that agendas and perceptions of issues before a scientific study is created taint the results, and therefore most research is not credible.
Another strength in The Natural Mind is the cross-cultural perspective of using drugs and achieving altered states of consciousness. Weil discusses Amazon tribes who do not appear to have a drug problem because they have embraced and ritualized non-ordinary states. In observation of these cultures, Weil suggests guidelines in using drugs to curtail developing abuse or dependence. Weil describes drug dependence as "an error of thinking, not a pharmacological or biochemical phenomenon, even though it may be accompanied by changes in the physical body" (p. 69). Therefore, even individuals who are possibly genetically predisposed to addiction are not necessarily incapable of experiencing altered states of consciousness without developing drug dependence. For individuals who are interested in drug experimentation, this strategy is helpful in avoiding the common mistakes users engage in that lead to abuse and dependence. Weil's hope is that by discovering healthy ways of altering consciousness, our society can provide for the basic need of altered states of consciousness and by re-conceptualizing our view on drugs, our society can literally think our way out of the drug problem, which would not be an issue if our culture embraced altered states of consciousness.
Similarly, Weil discusses psychosis cross-culturally and suggests in some cultures, psychotics may express their "visions" in positive ways (i.e., a Shaman). Weil states he is "tempted to call psychotics the evolutionary vanguard of our species" (p. 181) since they possess the potential to change reality so long as they consciously integrate and not repress this experience, implying volition and control of psychosis and thought disorders.
This perspective presents a practical method for solving the drug problem, psychosis, and other issues involving less action and more cognitive restructuring. For some clients, this alternate view may allow them to experience a freeing sensation, by cognitively restructuring beliefs about their disorder. The desire for altered states of consciousness and experience of psychosis may become an asset, not a defect as currently viewed in Western societies. The stigma of having a disorder interferes with treatment results and client health, which as demonstrated in this book is unnecessary. However, no data to support this idea is presented. Weil simply presents this information as a new way to conceptualize this issue.
Weil's methods in formulating his ideas may be viewed as a weakness or strength. This method is based experientially through "meticulous self-observations" and observations of other cultures. Thus his ideas could be argued to not be based on measurable research and at increased risk for error. However, Weil may counter argue his approach is a strength being that much research is influenced by biases and therefore distorted.
Another limitation is that Weil's message is easily misconstrued. Though there is a wealth of ideas in The Natural Mind, not everyone may be able to decipher the core message of this book. This information could be dangerous if read by the wrong individual. For someone in recovery, Weil's discussion of altered states of consciousness could stimulate cravings for drugs. However, the message could serve in a positive fashion by inspiring the recovering person to seek non-ordinary consciousness in healthy ways such as meditation (possibly preventing drug relapse by satiating this drive in a proactive fashion). One must ask, is chancing the former worth the risk?
This book can be very positive if utilized in psychotherapy with an appropriate client. This book stimulates thought, and can be useful in encouraging a client to engage in cerebral exercise by questioning standard societal views of altered states of consciousness. Many individuals have reported feeling better about themselves upon realization that the desire to experience non-ordinary reality is not unhealthy or abnormal. A practitioner might collaborate with the client and discuss client issues as related to the book or the bold concepts or chapters as an ongoing psychotherapy topic. The psychotherapist could serve to teach behavioral methods of meditation, guided imagery, etc., to help the client achieve altered states of consciousness without using drugs. Ultimately, the therapist needs to consider the client's progress in treatment, appropriateness for this book, and the therapist's limitations in this specialized area. If this book is used prematurely or with an inappropriate audience, there is potential for greater harm than good.
Hopefully, clients will progress by developing alternative perspective on their own or their loved ones disorder or drug-using history, leading to positive self-feelings, increased self-worth, or greater empathy. A potentially crippling secret that a client has been harboring may be exposed because of their new confidence developed by realizing they are not as abnormal or unhealthy as they believed.
With the appropriate client and therapist, The Natural Mind has great potential for positive outcomes in therapy. It helps us to break away from instilled unhealthy ways of conceptualizing drug-use, the desire for altered states of consciousness, psychosis and other issues. These new perspectives can have a positive effect on both the client and therapist. This book is an excellent choice for bibliotherapy with a client or even just for the therapist to challenge and broaden oneself. Either way, there are possible long-term benefits making this a wise selection for psychotherapy or personal use.