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Document Details :

Title: The Biblical Merkava Vision and Ayahuasca Visions - A Comparative Commentary
Author(s): SHANON, Benny
Journal: Studies in Spirituality
Volume: 13    Date: 2003   
Pages: 31-43
DOI: 10.2143/SIS.13.0.504587

Abstract :
In this commentary Shanon compares the content items mentioned in the Merkava
vision in the book of Ezekiel with items seen in visions induced by the Amazonian psychotropic brew ayahuasca. Empirical research the author has conducted reveals that there are significant cross-personal similarities between the visions different persons, with different personal and socio-cultural backgrounds, have with ayahuasca. Furthermore, some items tend to be especially prevalent in these visions. Interestingly, the items in Ezekiel’s vision are that appear in the set of the items most frequently seen with ayahuasca. Included in these items are light and fire, chimeras and multi-faced creatures, disembodied eyes, vehicles and wheels; the materials described by Ezekiel are also similar to those encountered with ayahuasca visions. Some tentative reflections on these findings are presented.

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