Abstract
Timothy Leary’s research represented a fundamentally transformative force for the counterculture of the Sixties. He was a charismatic figure who promoted the use of psychedelic substances as a means of expanding consciousness and as a path to new spiritual dimensions. His famous sentence, “Turn on, tune in, and drop out,” served as powerful advice for young people seeking peace and critical detachment from social norms perceived as inherently violent. Leary considered psychedelic experiences to be profound mystical states that could unveil new perspectives on reality, standing in stark contrast to the violence and alienation pervasive in American society. This vision inspired the formation of groups and communities, such as the League for Spiritual Discovery, as well as various communes that embraced his goal of making these experiences accessible through psychedelic substances, communal spaces, and music. Timothy Miller emphasized how the aim to live in a non-violent context played a central role in the emergence of intentional communities. Some of these communities were, in fact, comprised of marginalized youth (immigrants and red diaper babies, for instance). These communities, characterized by a strong spiritual sense, can be interpreted as spaces of shared vulnerability in which individuals sought protection and an alternative to the widespread violence in society. The general ethos of countercultures was to promote the search for alternative ways of life, far from the violence and aggression of American society.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Fragile Meanings: Vulnerability in the Study of Religions and Spirituality
KEYWORDS
Psychedelia, Consciousness Expansion, Spirituality, Counterculture, Music, Community
