Have you ever had the nagging suspicion that there is something fundamentally wrong with human culture? That perhaps as our civilization has matured, we've developed a poor relationship to the rest of nature, resulting in our ongoing exploitation and destruction of the ecosystem? Opening with this observation, the author proposes that nature has provided us with an antidote for our condition-- the psilocybin mushroom.

The premise of this multimedia presentation is that nature is a self-organizing intelligent system, one that responds to imbalances by offering counterweights, ensuring an eventual return to biospherical homeostasis. The counterweight for our ecologically destructive attitudes may be none other than psilocybin, which works to correct this imbalance by virtue of its entheogenic properties-- raising our awareness of natural intelligence.

This multimedia presentation consists of a booklet, a movie, and an hour's worth of mp3's, authored, directed, and composed by Prescience Magazine editor Simon Powell.

The 48-page booklet begins with an overview of psilocybin and the recorded history of its use. "The Earth sits suspended in space, a precious blue pearl bathing in the energetic radiance of the sun." Such skillfully crafted writing ensures that this booklet can be appreciated even by those who are already quite familiar with what is known of psilocybin.

The author shares the experiences and insights that have influenced his understanding of nature as an intelligent system. If these experiences are common amongst eaters of psilocybin, the author reasons, then the psilocybin mushroom could be a catalyst for positive change in humankind, inspiring an improved relationship with the ecosystem.

The booklet includes a section with several hand-picked accounts of the author's psilocybin experiences. Each account is unique and well crafted, describing how the author's own experiences inspired him toward a greater appreciation and respect for natural intelligence.

The movie component, entitled "Manna", is nearly an hour of inspirational content. Shot on location in the Philippines, Fiji, Australia, the USA, and the UK, it includes breathtaking aerial views and awe-inspiring scenes of rainforests, deserts, mountains, and more. The accompanying narrative goes further than the booklet in explaining how psilocybin might be the 'strong medicine' we need to improve our relationship to nature. Being both fascinating and inspirational, I found myself watching this movie several times without tiring.

On the same CD as the movie (which is in mpeg format) are five mp3 tracks. Three of the tracks are uplifting melodies, while the other two include narration. All of the tracks are enjoyable and relaxing to listen to. One of the narrated tracks expounds on the intelligence inherent in nature, while the other is a passage from Powell's other work, "Wild Hard Green"-- a 10-hour audio book and "eco fable" also available through Prescience.

I give the author credit for assembling such a wonderful and unique presentation. Although he had much help and support from his friends, Powell assumed the role of composer, author, director, and producer in the making of this work, and all without the sponsorship of any commercial organization. Powell approaches the subject of entheogens with the respect they deserve, and presents the information in such a way that is as enjoyable as it is informative.

For a free sample of Sacred Ground, and to order your own copy, check out the Sacred Ground page at Prescience Magazine. You can also order Sacred Ground through Simon's eBay listing, find it by searching "psilocybin mushrooms".