Ralph Metzner
El Verano: Four Trees Press, 2013.

Bufo alvarius and 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine. With forewords by Stanislav Grof and Charles Grob. “In this monograph, I relate findings from more than 30 years of experiences and observations with this substance, in various user groups and individuals, both in the US and in Europe. I use the term underground in referring to the explorations with these substances, in the sense that they were hidden – out of respect for the restrictions and prohibitions of mainstream culture. These are ethnographic field reports: first-hand observations from an underground sub-culture, accompanied by the experiences of a selected number of participant-observers. It is important to recognize that in research with these and other so-called psychedelic or entheogenic substances, one cannot limit the observations and reflections solely to their physical and psychological effects. As most of the people cited here emphasize, the experiences with these substances at times can go far beyond their physical and psychological effects into the deepest and highest dimensions of our existence, both the cosmic and the spiritual.” (publisher’s blurb)

Ralph Metzner
El Verano: Four Trees Press, 2020.

“Ralph Metzner first wrote about alchemy when he was in his early 30s. He included a chapter on alchemy in his book Maps of Consciousness, which was published in 1971. In the last few years of his life Ralph recorded his thoughts on some 36 alchemical terms. Over an arc of some 50 years, Ralph worked on the practice of using alchemical processes for inner transformation. This volume of musings combines his earliest writing on alchemy with his last writings on alchemical terms, bookends of an arc of exploration.” (publisher’s blurb)

Ralph Metzner
El Verano: Four Trees Press, 2022.

“This monograph is based on 50 years of experience as a participant-observer in the international underground sub-culture involved with entheogenic, consciousness-expanding substances. The author discusses the uses and values of such substances when the explicit intention or purpose is for spiritual awakening, psychotherapy, healing, increased understanding and the enhancement of creativity. The intent of this documentation is not to prove or promote any particular method or treatment of any condition. The evaluation of entheogens needs to be in terms of how productive these experiences are of healthier approaches to the issues of living in these times, in this world.” (publisher’s blurb)