The Cactus of Sanity: Huachuma in a Time of Chaos Paperback – October 10, 2020

I just finished Sergey's latest book and would now recommend it to anyone interested in going beyond ideas and concepts into the realm of direct experience. Huachuma or San Pedro is not as well known as Ayahuasca but its sacramental use goes way back in the historical timeline over a large area in the Andes region and Sergey has fully plugged in to this shamanic stream, specifically that which is connected with the Chavin temple, the most ancient tradition of Huachuma ceremonial practice.Sergey has followed a call to immerse himself in the healing path of Huachuma and as someone who has drunk his medicine many times down the years I can vouch for his staightforward honesty and sincerity with regards to introducing both newcomers and experienced psychonauts to this powerful plant teacher.He wrote this latest book in a whole new social environment than what was present for his previous two works, namely the whole Covid-19 worldwide situation and he makes many astute observations commenting directly from his personal experience with Huachuma medicine with regards to what is really going on in this unfolding new reality.I enjoyed the book a lot and read it cover-to-cover in one sitting. Fascinating!If you enjoy reading the book the next step would be to come to Peru and drink Huachuma with Sergey. That's the way to have a direct experience with this traditional plant ally which should be approached with reverence in a ceremonial way, it is definitely not a party drug.

I suppose there is only so much to say, or perhaps that can be said, about huachuma. There is nothing new in this book compared to other books of this nature. The same old essays declaring the ills of western imperialism that readers of these books have likely heard tens of times.If you are the choir who wants to be preached to, I guess it is worthwhile, but you might be better off using time elsewhere.