Chemical Enlightenment: Rapture, Bliss, Death and Extasy This presentation will explore the liminal experiences that occur in the use of psychedelic substances for spiritual and self-exploratory purposes. Many reports indicate experiences which range from the terrifying to the sublime but almost all of them with an element of revelation. The attraction for psychedelic experiences is in fact a peculiar one where the proverbial bad trip is not necessarily considered as an adverse phenomenon to be shunned. The gratification of exploring psychedelic universes, treasuring the gained experience leads to personal transformation which can manifest either in the confrontation of one’s fears or the granting of grace and alleviation of one’s sorrows. What can blissfulness be considered to be in this case and also how is pain to be considered if it is envisioned as a necessary path to development? What are the values connected to such intense experiences? Can psychedelics lead to a point which is found beyond the concept of pleasure and pain?