I was actually googling this book, Phanerothyme: a Western approach to the religious use of psychochemicals, and the Nexus popped up--the wonders of the Nexus never cease!

I especially enjoyed that statement, Purges; prospecting for gold can be challenging, but one strategy I have is to stick to the well-worn paths from traditional religions (even if they don't always glitter).

From the booklet itself, I actually strongly agree with Lisa Bieberman: "I think many of our people have abandoned too quickly the search for beauty and truth in Western religious and philosophical traditions. If we can find them there, it is surely preferable, because these traditions are more a part of us than anything imported can be."

Her emphasis on "simplicity" was especially insightful. One lesson most of us have learned, even if we live the ideal only imperfectly, is one that she has likewise expressed with simplicity: "The impulse to live a pure and clean life, erring if one must err, on the side of scrupulousness, is strongly reinforced by phanerothyme, because it makes one see one's limitations, the many ways in which one can err, and the beauty of a simple and honest life."