An Evening with Richard Tarnas

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The 20th century’s discovery of LSD and subsequent use of various psychedelics in both therapeutic practice and popular culture has been a deeply transformational event in modern civilization. It has carried the power of a collective initiatory rite of passage, yet often without an adequately containing ritual structure, indigenous wisdom tradition, or clinical knowledge to mediate that transformation. The resulting impact on contemporary society has been complex, ambiguous, and profound. Amid this cultural flux, many therapists and researchers as well as lay explorers have found the work of both Stanislav Grof and C. G. Jung to be invaluable in guiding their journeys.

Join CIIS Professor Emeritus and cultural historian Richard Tarnas for an illuminating talk on psychedelic initiation in postmodern culture. Richard examines the larger historical and evolutionary context that brought forth the psychedelic awakening of the 1950s and 1960s as well as the current renaissance in psychedelic therapy and research. He also addresses the relevance of Grof’s and Jung’s work and explores the larger meaning and impact that psychedelics have had and continue to have on our civilization in crisis.  

Richard Tarnas, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus at CIIS, and the founding director of the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program in which he taught for thirty years. His courses explored the history of ideas, depth psychology, archetypal cosmology, cultural history, and the evolution of consciousness. Formerly the director of programs and education at Esalen Institute, he is the author of The Passion of the Western Mind, a narrative history of the Western world view from the ancient Greek to the postmodern that is widely used in universities. His second book, Cosmos and Psyche, received the Book of the Year Prize from the Scientific and Medical Network. He is also the co-editor with Sean Kelly of Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof. Richard Tarnas is a past president of the International Transpersonal Association and member of the Board of Governors for the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco. 

Accessibility Information

If you need to request accessibility accommodations, please email publicprograms@ciis.edu at least one week prior to the event. For more information, explore our Accessibility web page. 

Recording Policy

Ticket holders will have access to an ad-free replay of the event for one month after the live event, after which unlimited viewing with ads will be available. Portions of the audio will also be released on our podcast. Only registered ticket holders who choose to watch live can participate in the chat and Q&A. 

Refund Policy

All tickets and add-ons purchased for this event are nonrefundable.