J. D. Arthur began experimenting with hallucinogens during the 1960s. This led to a lifelong interest in spirituality and the enhancement of awareness. He works with disabled adults as well as people with mental illness and lives in northern New England.
. . . insightful and readable. . . . let it be a guide, a doorway in itself, to bigger and better things. * Chard Currie, New Dawn, No. 121, Jul/Aug 2010 * This another of Inner Traditions' serious studies of the use of shamanic psychogenic drugs. It begins with an overview of the use of hallucinogenic drugs in the United States. The author is careful to affirm that he is not promoting the use of such drugs, only recording his personal experiences over several years. He also makes clear that he did extensive research into the chemical makeup of salvia before using it, and that the drug was legal in the United States when he did his experimentation with it. * Anna Jedrziewski, reviewer, New Age Retailer, April 2010 * This author's thoughtful investigation of the unique, leaf-induced state merits careful attention. His methodical approach and detailed documentation is a model of how to meaningfully explore such vast and elusive topics as time, mind, and language. His careful forays led him to establish familiar pathways both into and out of what he suggests may be another reality, or the far side of death. Mr. Arthur's conclusions beg the very question: What is thought? * Kathleen Harrison, Ethnobotantist and author, March 2010 * Fascinating. Salvia Divinorum is a clear, inspiring, and insightful account of meetings with a powerful teacher plant. In the spirit of the classical psychedelic explorers, J. D. Arthur kept a meticulous record of his work with Salvia divinorum. In this easy-to-read book he provides others with a road map for their own explorations, as well as a detailed guide to the territory. After reading Arthur's book I am inspired to look again at salvia. * Ross Heaven, author of Plant Spirit Shamanism and The Hummingbird's Journey to God * We are fortunate to have J. D. Arthur's thoughtful, reasoned accounts of `thoughtless' passages. I agree with J. D. Arthur--go with a sober sitter. * Bret Blosser, anthropologist * For those interested in experiencing Salvia divinorum, this is an honest, detailed, and caring account of the territory you will encounter. * Stephen Buhner, author of The Secret Teaching of Plants and Sacred Plant Medicine *