John Cena, the acclaimed professional wrestler and actor, has recently become involved in a rather unusual endeavor – the study of occult mushrooms. While most people associate Cena with his wrestling career and his larger-than-life persona, he has also displayed a fascination with mushrooms and their potential mystical properties. Cena's interest in mushrooms began when he stumbled upon a book about the occult and its connection to various natural elements, including fungi. Intrigued by this idea, he started conducting his own research and experimentation, delving into the world of psychedelic and sacred mushrooms. What sets Cena's study apart is his belief that mushrooms possess a spiritual power that can unlock hidden human potential and provide unique insights into oneself. He argues that these fungi have been used for centuries by different cultures for mystical purposes, such as divination and healing.
Parts novel, autoethnography, diary, travel writing, how-to, philosophy, transpersonal study, this story begins in death, as a personal interest, before becoming a doctoral psychology dissertation at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and then this book. It explores the cult of Santa Muerte, the Mexican folk saint, and the author's relationship with that twilight world as well as the author's own personal process of living and writing about death in Mexico City. It is because of death that life has meaning.
He understands the cult as one of numerous movements of religious revitalization in Mexico, linking these revivals to historical moments of destabilization and upheaval. She represents life with the possibility of respite but without ultimate redemption, and she speaks to the complexities of lives lived at the fringes of violence, insecurity, impunity, and economic hardship.
He argues that these fungi have been used for centuries by different cultures for mystical purposes, such as divination and healing. In his journey, Cena has collaborated with experts in mycology and shamanism, learning about the diverse types of mushrooms and their properties. He has participated in ceremonial rituals to explore altered states of consciousness induced by these mushrooms, seeking profound experiences and enlightenment.
La Santa Muerte in Mexico
For over a decade the cult of La Santa Muerte has grown rapidly in Mexico and the United States. Thousands of people--ranging from drug runners and mothers to cabdrivers, soldiers, police, and prison inmates--invoke the protection of La Santa Muerte. Devotees seek her protection through practicing popular vows, attending public rosaries and masses at street altars, and constructing and maintaining home altars.
This book examines La Santa Muerte's role in people's daily lives and explores how popular religious practices of worship and devotion developed around a figure often associated with illicit activities. She represents life with the possibility of respite but without ultimate redemption, and she speaks to the complexities of lives lived at the fringes of violence, insecurity, impunity, and economic hardship. The essays collected here move beyond the visually arresting sight of La Santa Muerte as a tattoo or figurine, suggesting that she represents a major movement in Mexico.
Wil G. Pansters is a professor of cultural anthropology at Utrecht University. He is the editor of Violence, Coercion, and State-Making in Twentieth-Century Mexico: The Other Half of the Centaur.
"A welcome contribution to an emerging scholarly field."--Reading Religion
"La Santa Muerte in Mexico contributes a valuable analytical perspective to the ongoing scholarly conversation regarding this enigmatic figure."--Anna M. Nogar, Church History
"Firsthand accounts . . . make this volume revelatory, surprising, and hopeful. Folklorists, anthropologists, historians, and religious-studies scholars will find material of great interest in this work: historical and iconographic analyses, an overview of social practices and networks, and ethnographic depictions of performative engagement."--Kirstin Erickson, Journal of Folklore Research
List of Illustrations
Preface
Chapter One. La Santa Muerte: History, Devotion, and Societal Context
Wil G. Pansters
Chapter Two. Saints and Demons: Putting La Santa Muerte in Historical Perspective
Benjamin T. Smith
Chapter Three. Dances of Death in Latin America: Holy, Adopted, and Patrimonialized Dead
Juan Antonio Flores Martos
Chapter Four. La Santa Muerte as Urban Staging: Notes on the Images and Visibility of a Transgressive Performance
Anne Huffschmid
Chapter Five. Moving In and Moving Out: On Exchange and Family in the Cult of La Santa Muerte
Regnar Kristensen
Chapter Six. Devotion That Goes Skin Deep: Tattoos of La Santa Muerte
Judith Katia Perdigón Castañeda and Bernardo Robles Aguirre
Chapter Seven. Afterword: Interpreting La Santa Muerte
Claudio Lomnitz
List of Illustrations
Preface
Despite the controversial nature of his newfound interest, Cena emphasizes the importance of responsible and safe exploration when dealing with psychedelic mushrooms. He advocates for informed usage and respectful integration of these experiences into one's life. Cena's foray into the realm of occult mushrooms aligns with his overall philosophy of personal growth and the pursuit of self-discovery. He believes that these mushrooms offer a unique avenue for individuals to expand their consciousness, uncover deeper truths about themselves, and connect with the world on a more profound level. While Cena's interest in occult mushrooms may come as a surprise to many, it exemplifies his openness to exploring diverse realms of human experience. His endeavors serve as a reminder that no matter the outward appearance, people can have hidden passions and curiosities that drive them to seek knowledge and understanding in unconventional areas..
Reviews for "Beneath the Surface: John Cena's Hidden Passion for Occult Mushrooms"
1. Emily - 1 star
I really did not enjoy "John Cena Occult Mushrooms". The plot was confusing and all over the place, leaving me with more questions than answers. The characters were uninteresting and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. The writing style was also very convoluted and hard to follow, as if the author was trying too hard to be unique. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to others.
2. David - 2 stars
"John Cena Occult Mushrooms" was not my cup of tea. I found the storyline to be incredibly absurd and hard to take seriously. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be edgy and unique, but it ended up coming across as forced and unnatural. The dialogue was also quite weak, lacking in substance and believability. I appreciate unique and unconventional plots, but this book missed the mark for me. I can see how it may appeal to some, but unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I have mixed feelings about "John Cena Occult Mushrooms". While I can appreciate the author's attempt at creating something different, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing of the story was inconsistent, with certain parts moving too quickly while others dragged on. The characters were also underdeveloped, making it difficult for me to care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style was overly pretentious and overly reliant on shock value, which took away from the overall reading experience. I can see why some people may find this book intriguing, but personally, I did not enjoy it.