Is anyone here?

Foreword

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The answer to this question depends on two things. From whether something is really here. And from the questioner, in the case of a book, to the reader: how much he is able to see, to master the text being read.

Mysticism, mystical experiences and other similar topics as pre-programmed to draw attention, arouse curiosity. Who would not be interested in dreams, especially prophetic, experiences of exodus, enlightenment, and the like, especially psychedelic substances, which are increasingly hotly debated, both because of their unequivocally valued special effects and for therapeutic purposes.

On the other hand, there is a lot of literature on these issues, and there is a disproportionate amount of scientific evidence, so the title and content of the book can be discouraging at the same time. Similar dual feelings overwhelmed me when the author asked me to write this preface. But curiosity overcame, I promised to read the manuscript, and I promised to read it. And - I was not disappointed, the time spent reading was not a pity. This was due to several reasons.

The first is probably the very idea of presenting in one book how two different sides see the same phenomenon - people who have experienced or are experiencing unusual experiences and representatives of different specialties associated with it, the phenomenon. In other words, it’s not a one-size-fits-all game. It follows that this is not an essay that we can easily attribute to esoteric literature with all the consequences that entails. On the other hand, it is not a serious scientific treatise or monograph either.

The second reason is that the author does not take on the role of an omniscient judge, she does not affix the labels "good - wrong", "right - wrong". And that, I think, is very important because the subject is really complex, especially in the scientific, cognitive aspect. The work done by the author could perhaps be called a research documentary, as it presents various facts, comments and opinions of specialists, and leaves the final decision to the reader. Some people may not like it, especially those who like final answers or only opinions, but life is like that - there are few clear and indisputable answers in it ...

But let’s get back to the beginning. I think there really is something in this book, and who it is and how much depends on everyone who takes it.

I wish you a good reading!

Osvaldas Rukšėnas, neurobiologist, professor