Journeys to the Edge of Consciousness

I came to this documentary knowing relatively little about the subject except having heard of Watts, Leary and Huxley, but left having really enjoyed both the information presented and the way the film was put together.

The film is broken down in to 3 parts with short excerpts written by Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary and Alan Watts describing their early psychedelic experiences. These narratives are set to animation that captures both the linear story and the 'journey' they are going through in their heads. All of them experience deep revelations; about themselves, society and the very idea of consciousness and the human mind. After the animation these experiences are then discussed by eminent psychologists, sociologists etc. who discuss both the cultural impact of these experiences on western society, and why, under controlled conditions, that psychedelics could form part of treatment for certain psychological conditions.

That is not to say that this film advocates uncontrolled use of these psychedelics, quite the opposite, and the dangers of doing so are discussed in some detail. However, the conclusion is that shamanic cultures have used psychedelics for millennia, but only under 'guidance', so if we are to use them clinically, we would need to take the same approach.

So these three eminent western figures stumbled across these substances, which were all but forgotten or unknown at the time. They had transcendental experiences that helped kick-start the post-war cultural shift. Ultimately though there was reaction against this shift, and the stigma of these substances being 'drugs', has blocked what could be a new area of treatment for deep rooted psychological illnesses that, until recently, have been considered practically untreatable.

The experts speak passionately and clearly and this is fascinating, but what really makes the documentary is the animation which is incredibly visually arresting. This makes the whole experience of watching the film very enjoyable as well as interesting.

Journeys to the Edge of Consciousness is a wonderful film - it encapsulates such an important message so beautifully. I know I was one of many at the screening who found it very moving. More of the world needs to see it, I recommend it to everyone!

Part narrative exploration of written accounts of psychedelic experiences (what I expected going in), part polemic, part advocacy and part education. I suspect that for the message to truly resonate as intended a very specific worldview and cultural context is necessary (contrary to its universalist presentation), so its ideal audience is rather small. It's unlikely to change any minds and, to someone whose worldview only partially overlaps with that presented, its content ranged from the insightful, through the obvious, through the totally backwards and through some unfortunate patches of thin nonsense.

However that does not ruin any experience, there's beauty in it and some valuable messages. Even if you are not fully aligned with the worldview espoused of psychedelics as an gateway to the external and spiritual more than the internal and obscure, as I am not, there are things to appreciate or learn from this and I would recommend a watch. Parts will need discarded but other parts are of great value.

My lukewarm rating comes primarily not from my disagreements in spiritual worldview but from a sense that the components of the film work against each other. The narrative exploration is undercut by long discussion segments that veer off far from the texts. The education is undercut by needing to make room for other content, for example setting is often mentioned but not elaborated on in depth. The advocacy of drug liberalisation, a cause I support, is built on twin justifications of (sadly underexplored) medical merits of psychedelics and of laying out a spiritual faith-based view of reality as revealed by psychedelics. Naturally these do not complement each other and, indeed, undermine each other. This film is effectively several other potential films crowding each other out and stunting what they could have been. A shame, but take from it what you can, and enjoy the process of doing so.

I didn't know what to expect from this film but I learnt so much. The interviews offered views and opinions I had never considered before, and the film took me into the imaginations of writers like Aldous Huxley, who I greatly admire, and whose version of the future looks to become a truth in how we chose to live and be governed. The animation is superb - stylish, smart and intriguing. A must-watch for all those interested in widening their understanding of what consciousness is.

Having watched many documentaries on the subject of how exogenous substances interact with human consciousness I can say that this documentary takes a very refreshing perspective on this subject which, sadly, is still severely lacking in research. Hopefully this documentary and others like it will help bring this subject further into the mainstream.

The three accounts retold in this documentary are extremely well presented with a beautifully animated visual style and moving score which all work together elevating this beyond just a film, this is an important piece of self education for those thinking about diving into the world of altering consciousness, but equally this is an audio visual piece of art. Enjoy!