"He was ever creative, and embarked on many new pathways of exploration in his lifetime. Had a refined appreciation of music, and took improv piano lessons during his 60s and most of his 70s and composed several songs, including words and music. I loved witnessing him building this new creative expression. He had a vast collection of music which he cultivated and employed in his journey work."

Cathy Coleman: Ralph Metzner, Explorer of Consciousness - The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer

Cathy Coleman, Ph.D., was Ralph Metzner’s wife of 31 years. A former dean of students at California Institute of Integral Studies, president of Kepler College, and director of IONS’ EarthRise Retreat Center, she lives in Sonoma, California. “Ralph Metzner, Explorer of Consciousness - The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer” (October 1, 2024) is a new book edited by Cathy Coleman. Reveals the vast impact of Ralph Metzner’s healing therapies and wisdom on colleagues, students, clients, and the fields in which he worked. Renowned as a pioneering psychologist, psychedelic elder, alchemical explorer, and shamanic teacher, the late Ralph Metzner (1936–2019) contributed profoundly to consciousness research, transpersonal psychology, and contemporary psychedelic studies across his more than 50 year career. Celebrating Metzner’s life and legacy, this book includes contributions from other visionaries influenced by his life’s work. Includes contributions from Rick Doblin, Charles S. Grob, Stan Grof, Stanley Krippner, Dennis McKenna, the late Christian Rätsch, Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Claudia Mueller-Ebeling, Dorothy Fadiman, Luis Eduardo Luna, and others. Explores Ralph’s childhood, his time at Harvard with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), his work with Agni Yoga and transpersonal psychology, his development of ecopsychology, and his in-depth psychedelic research.

(Photos: Cathy Coleman with Ralph Metzner and their daughter Sophia - “Ralph Metzner, Explorer of Consciousness - The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer” a new book edited by Cathy Coleman)

Renowned as a pioneering psychologist, psychedelic elder, alchemical explorer, and shamanic teacher, the late Ralph Metzner (1936–2019) contributed profoundly to consciousness research, transpersonal psychology, and contemporary psychedelic studies across his more than 50-year career. Celebrating the life and legacy of Ralph Metzner, this book explores how Ralph touched the lives of those around him in extraordinary and remarkable ways, recasting people’s worldviews and inspiring the flowering of creativity, personal growth, and spiritual transformation. There are recollections from the pivotal years of the Sixties, when Ralph conducted research with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass). Other contributors describe Ralph’s involvement in the School of Actualism in the 1970s and the profound impact that Agni Yoga had on Ralph’s explorations of consciousness and his healing therapies. We also learn about Ralph’s development of Green Psychology, or ecopsychology, his mystical work exploring prenatal realms of consciousness and channeling, and his healing and transformative “Vision Circles.” Academic colleagues and a who’s who of fellow psychedelic researchers share stories from their work with Ralph, illuminating his depth of knowledge and broad impact. This book paints a complete portrait of Ralph Metzner in his well-known roles as therapist and psychedelic pioneer and as an intrepid explorer of consciousness until the very end of his life.

Interview by Michael Limnios                   Archive: Ralph Metzner, 2013 Interview

Currently released the book “Explorer of Consciousness: The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer”. How did that idea come about?

The idea for this book was seeded by the tributes given at Ralph’s memorial in San Francisco on May 24, 2019, by an unsolicited written tribute by Alan Levin, and by the suggestion by one of the contributors, Friedrich Rehrnbeck of Germany. When I sought feedback about the idea through the Green Earth Foundation newsletter, which includes an email list of Ralph’s colleagues, trainees, and students, the response was most enthusiastic. Nearly 90 people indicated that they wanted to contribute.

Why do you think that Ralph Metzner legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?                                            (Ralph Metzner / Photo © by George Goldsmith)

The large following is probably in large part due to the seminal book The Psychedelic Experience in 1964. Since then Ralph published 24 books on psychedelics and consciousness. His research and publishing on psychedelics continued for 60 years. He was innovative, courageous, and scholarly. His work tapped into many subjects: in addition to psychedelics, he explored ecology, psychology, eastern and western philosophy and religion, mythology, music, mysticism, and death and dying. He gave lectures and workshops internationally, making him known and accessible to many people. Hi curiosity and wit were widely appealing to many.

What are you doing to keep Ralph Metzner work/books relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

I have had two of his timeless books republished that were out of print: The Unfolding Self: Varieties of Transformative Experience (Synergetic Press, 2022), and Maps of Consciousness (Inner Traditions, 2023). At his request, I completed and published a book on alchemy that he asked me just before he died to complete. I am considering working on publishing the teachings of actualism that were transmitted to Ralph from his teacher, Russell Schofield. There are six small books (about 100 pages each) that are still relevant and useful that are out of print that I have thought of re-publishing, including The Roots of War and Domination. Regent Press is interested in re-publishing this timely book.

Also, when contacted by foreign publishers I have helped to get his work published in other languages.

Are there any specific memories with the late great Ralph Metzner that you would like to tell us about?! What are some of the most important life’s lessons you have learned from him?

I pointed out five values or expressions that Ralph that I felt were among his important life lessons:

He always said that one must honor any vision, dream, or special message from the Divine and act upon it. Our household was full of divinely guided projects. By honoring the messages, he pointed out, one would continue to receive visions.

Second, was to forgive, and ask for forgiveness. He practiced the Hawaiian forgiveness ritual of Ho’oponopono. The two weeks before he died he read the little Ho’oponopono book over and over and pondered its messages. We actively practiced apologizing and forgiving in our family, and cleaned up the rough patches as we went along.

The third I will mention is gratitude. Especially the last year of Ralph’s life, he expressed profound gratitude toward everything in his life. He was soft, open, and sweet the closer he drew to death.

Ralph took the high road—interpersonally, morally, and spiritually, and I appreciated being married to a person who lived in this manner. He had an uncanny ability to forget or put aside most of his negative experiences. He could not be bothered with pettiness. He was ethical, and he honored his commitments and agreements. His strong moral compass was a fourth expression of his legacy.

He was ever creative, and embarked on many new pathways of exploration in his lifetime. Had a refined appreciation of music, and took improv piano lessons during his 60s and most of his 70s and composed several songs, including words and music. I loved witnessing him building this new creative expression. He had a vast collection of music which he cultivated and employed in his journey work.

"He always said that one must honor any vision, dream, or special message from the Divine and act upon it. Our household was full of divinely guided projects. By honoring the messages, he pointed out, one would continue to receive visions." (Photo: Cathy Coleman & Ralph Metzner)

What do you personally consider to be the incisive moments and pieces in his work and/or career? With such an illustrious career, what had given him the most satisfaction?

Some incisive moments from his illustrious career, from my perspective:

1. Initial psychedelic research with Tim Leary and Ram Dass, at Harvard and in Zihuatenejo.

2. His publication, with Leary and Alpert, of The Psychedelic Experience.

3. His founding of The Green Earth Foundation to further his publications.

4. His work as Academic Dean of the California Institute of Integral Studies. He helped the school attain accreditation, and also he was instrumental in expanding the school with innovative courses and programs.

5. The successful programming of the International Transpersonal Conference in Killarney, Ireland, in 1993.

6. The production of an Ayahuasca Conference in San Francisco in 2000.

7. The creation and teaching of Alchemical Divination.

8. His successful work guiding group psychedelic circles over 35 years.

9. His songwriting and musical composing, and producing the album The Bardo Blues.

What gave him the most satisfaction?

Hi writing! He loved to write! And he had much to say and teach through his writing.

Also, he was a healer/psychologist. I think he got a lot of satisfaction from deeply knowing many fascinating people and helping them heal or grow in their self-development.

(Ralph Metzner, Allen Ginsberg & Timothy Leary, NYC 1961 / Photo © by Pennebaker Hegedus Films)

Cathy Coleman, Ph.D. Author/Editor Ralph Metzner, Explorer of Consciousness: The Life and Legacy of a Psychedelic Pioneer

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