The Psychedelic Experience
A manual based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead

May 24 2017

The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on The Tibetan Book of the Dead is an instruction manual intended for use during sessions involving psychedelic drugs (published in 1964). This version of Tibetan Book of the Dead was authored by Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner and Richard Alpert (aka Ram Dass), all of whom took part in experiments investigating the therapeutic and religious possibilities of drugs such as mescaline, psilocybin and LSD. The book is dedicated to Aldous Huxley and includes a short introductory citation from Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception.

In the present recording two passages have been selected: “Going Out”: to be listened to at the very beginning of the session, just before and after the time when the going out begins, i.e. when the psychedelic beings to take effect. “Coming Back”: to be listened to towards the last third of the session, when the ego is beginning to re-assert itself, when “I” first makes its appearance in thought and speech. The exact time will of course vary from person to person and with the particular chemical used. “Coming Back” increases in effectiveness if repeated two or three times during the re-entry phase. “Going Out” may also be played toward the end of the session if the voyager wishes to regain the earliest and highest part of the voyage.

You can download the full book here.
I also recommend this documentary about the Tibetan Book of the Dead, narrated by Leonard Cohen.


The Psychedelic Experience (1966)
1. Going Out (16:44) — 2. Coming Back (24:10)