Out of this world : a history of other-worldly journeys from Gilgamesh to Albert Einstein

This book takes the reader on a fantastic journey through a wide range of cultures and traditions to examine the phenomenon of ecstatic visionary experiences—from Sumerian Gilgamesh and the Taoist Immortals to the imaginative fiction of Jorge Luis Borges. The author provides a comprehensive tour of otherworldly journeys common from immemorial times among shamans, magicians, and witches, and illustrates their connection with such modern phenomena as altered states of consciousness, out-of-body experiences, and near-death experiences. This Book, By The Editor Of The Journal Incognita, Takes The Reader On A Fantastic Journey Through A Wide Range Of Cultures And Traditions To Examine The Phenomenon Of Ecstatic Visionary Experiences--from Sumerian Gilgamesh And The Taoist Immortals To The Imaginative Fiction Of Jorge Luis Borges. The Author Provides A Comprehensive Tour Of Otherworldly Journeys Common From Immemorial Times Among Shamans, Magicians And Witches, And Illustrates Their Connection With Such Modern Phenomena As Altered States Of Consciousness, Out-of-body Experiences, And Near-death Experiences.--from Publisher Description. A Historian's Kit For The Fourth Dimension -- Free Spirit Seeks Free Spirit : An Outline Of Shamanism -- Dark Treasures : Otherworldly Journeys In Mesopotamian Religion -- Puppets, Playhouses, And Gods : Journeys Through Other Worlds In Ancient Egypt -- Crane Riding, Soul Raising, And Ghost Brides In Taoist China -- Journeys Through The Mind : Buddhism And Otherworldly Journeys -- From Furor To Spiritual Vision : Ancient Iranian Ecstatics -- Greek Medicine Men -- The Seven Palaces And The Chariot Of God : Jewish Mysticism From Merkabah To Kabbalah -- Interplanetary Tours : The Platonic Space Shuttle, From Plotinus To Marsilio Ficino -- The Apogee Of Otherworldly Journeys : From Muhammad To Dante. I.p. Couliano ; Foreword By Lawrence E. Sullivan. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.