Rating:  Summary: A tool for change Review: I bought this book after hearing many good things about it. I mainly expected to read a book regarding sociology and psychology, written by a very well-liked author. This was the first Robert Anton Wilson book I ever read, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. This book did not meet my expectations, it far exceeded them. Never before has a book produced such change in my way of thinking. My brain was literally completely reprogrammed after reading Prometheus rising. Every facet of thought that goes through my mind is different. I treat people differently. This is because I genuinely feel that I understand others, and myself much better now. I could not reccomend any book more highly than this. Also reccomended is the sequal, Quantum Psychology.
Rating:  Summary: One of the worst books I have ever read Review: This is one of the worst books I have ever read. Wilson can be amusing and his first four circuits are acceptable. Outside of that, the book is complete rubbish. His circuits include a circuit which lets you "see" the history of your DNA and ancestors, and he gives quotes from Finnegans Wake and Beethoven's music as evidence. Riiiiight. Another circuit is one where you feel high. This is just being high, it is not a circuit of your brain just for that purpose. There is nothing scientific about this book, and the psychology is incredibly outdated. If you like astrology, and other new age "science" which are completely un-supported by any evidence and have nothing scientific about them, you might like this book. It amazes me that so many people gave this book a good review; it shows how many people in our society are unable to think critically and have no knowledge of the scientific method or way of thinking.
Rating:  Summary: If you liked Cosmic Trigger..... Review: If you liked the first Cosmic Trigger, this is the next RAW book to buy. It contains several exercises for achieving the "brain change" talked about in Cosmic Trigger. If you liked his other stuff, this is typical RAW...great stuff!
Rating:  Summary: The best book for learning magick Review: Looking for a book on magick or occultism without the mythological baggage, moral dogma, or out dated ritual? Get this book, read it, and DO THE EXCERCISES. The info in this book is that same stuff that "gurus" and cults founded by sci-fi writers charge members thousands of dollars for.
Rating:  Summary: Informative Review: If you have ever wanted an explanation for the workings of the human mind, or an explanation for the explanations of the human mind (or any animal mind, really), this book is a good starting place. It explains in detail the eight circuits on which modern brains function from oldest to the most recently evolved. It explains why a million people must be wrong, why people will believe the darndest things, why technology and sociology are progressing so quickly in the recent eras, why you are capable of much more than you may believe. It explains how your mind can affect your body (somatotypes, hypochondriasis, left-handedness), and how you can affect your mind through your body (pranayama, yoga). It teaches how brainwashing is possible and the exact process it requires. It teaches the effects of our reality-tunnels on progress, both of our society and of our minds. And of course, there are the exercizes, so if you don't believe it, you can see it for yourself. Once you have read this, and it's terminology is simple enough for a beginner, you may have the ability to better understand those around you and to get along better in the world. You may learn to question yourself, if you believe any of it, in terms of your own reality-tunnel. What this book offers most of all is the road to enlightenment, and without the stigma mysticism usually gives it.
Rating:  Summary: Mind Expansion 101 Review: This book really puts the world into perspective, at least it did for me. Readers would be hard-pressed not to walk away from it with some sort of brain change or alteration to their reality tunnel. The exercises are nice because it puts the content of the pages into an empirically tangible medium.... and yes, you will spot a few "quarters"...hahaha... Although it was written late in Wilson's career, I think it is a good book of his to start with because it isn't too jargon-laden. I also recommend the Cosmic Trigger series....
Rating:  Summary: Consciousness Expansion and Enlightenment Review: I can't say enough good things about this book. I bought it nearly a year ago and I've read it about 15 times since, and every time I find something new and useful. The excersises and information contained are wonderful for those who are just starting on the path of scientific shamanism, or enlightenment, or confusing themselves or whatever. This book is also an excellent reference for other material related to consciousness expansion. Wilson does a great job of not only providing means and methods for breaking your illusions, but points to a great number of other texts that can help even more.
Rating:  Summary: Read to see how stupidly intelligent you are. Review: As is the case with all Robert Anton Wilson books, this is a swift kick in the pants to your preconceived perceptions. Which is its problem, because it makes it seem more important than it really is. If you already know how to think for yourself, you don't especially need this book. It's a really entertaining book, and it makes connections you probably haven't thought of, but it's goal is very simple. Start thinking, stupid! The exercises are rather fun and informative. I doubt many people will come to the same conclusions Wilson did, but who cares? I know Bob sure doesn't. "Think for yourself" and "Stop believing all your dumb ideas" are the main points he's trying to get across. Yes, those points are contradictory. My only advice to somebody picking up this book is to ignore or change the first exercise. Look for pennies or nickels. Those you will find. Quarters are too valuable and useful for people to ignore, so they pick them up. Darn people and their fondness for clean clothing and video games!
Rating:  Summary: entertaining derivative nonsense Review: Wilson is the biggest pseudo-mystic going. Like his hero Aleister Crowley, he is a very talented and entertaining writer who knows next to nothing about real mysticism, but is able to put together books that make it seem like he does. The difference is that Crowley was an original; Wilson gets all his (bad) ideas from other sources. Wilson's books are popular partly because he is such a funny and talented writer, but mostly because he gives people phony justifications for all the kind of self-indulgent hippie nonsense he believes in. Read Tim Leary's The Game of Life if you want to see where Wilson got the framework for this book, although it is even loonier. It would have been nice if either of these guys could have stopped taking dope for long enough to put together some coherent ideas...
Rating:  Summary: Required Reading for Everyone! Review: If you've ever wondered why human beings can be so [messed] up and yet have such potential here is the book that tells all! Highly recommended!
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