Caves and the Ancient Greek Mind: Descending Underground in the Search for Ultimate Truth Book

Abbreviations ix

Introduction 1

1 Caves and the Greek Quest for the Divine Truth 1

2 Inspired Prophecy 8

3 Methodology 10

1 Cave Experiences and the Human Mind 13

1 Altered States of Consciousness 15

2 Caves as Mental Images 28

3 Human Consciousness in the Cave 32

4 Near-Death Experiences 41

5 Altered States of Consciousness, Shamanism, and Ancient Greece 47

Conclusions 51

2 Oracles and Caves 53

1 Caves of the Nymphs and Pan 55

2 Entrances to the Netherworld 68

3 Oracles of Underground Dwellers 89

4 Apollo Shining in the Dark 109

5 The Delphic Adyton: Theories and Facts 121

Conclusions 153

3 Seers and Poets 156

1 Sibyls 156

2 Blind Seers 168

4 Sages and Philosophers 177

1 Early Sages 178

2 Pythagoras 186

3 Parmenides and the Eleatics 191

4 Empedocles 209

Conclusions 215

5 Near-Death Experiences, Real and Make-Believe 218

1 Chasm in the Mind 218

2 Mysteries 226

Conclusions 255

Retrospect 256

Bibliography 263

Index 303