Some of the writers here have good handles on this song, some don't. I hope this adds some weight to the discussion. The Moodies most likely experimented with some kind of psychedelic medicines as was the fad of the day. But like many have found, those experiences may provide deep and profound spiritual experiences they are temporary and in the end you land "back in yourself". In other words, you get a glimpse of heaven which is fine, but you still have to come back into your mundane and messy life...however... after seeing the universal landscape you are never the same again which is why many who, with guidance and proper psychedelic experiential settings and guidance, try it and then begin focusing on doing the kinds of inner work (meditation, yoga, etc.) that provide a more grounded way of getting to "nirvana".
If you take the catalog of songs on their first 7 albums you will realize that Pinder, Thomas, Lodge, Hayward, and even Edge were traversing spiritual landscapes individually but the song lyrics indicate a lot of commonality. I suspect they were primarily into mysticism and eastern philosophical leanings. Also, I am sure some of them must have known and been friendly with Leary who was proselytizing LSD along with Richard Alpert Phd (Ram Dass). Look up their story, it is interesting. Ram Dass split with Leary and ended up in India and has a pretty incredible story and came back to teach what he had learned there in America. He was a good guy. Leary ended up a mess.
Now about this song...in my take it is Pinder saying that LSD is not the ultimate "answer" to finding the peace of mind Leary was promoting. He wasn't putting him down outright, but he wasn't preaching his gospel either. The song feels like a respectful acknowledgment of a fellow traveler whose path the band chose not to take—a reminder that LSD driven insights alone don't equal awakening. The Moody Blues’ catalog of lyrics seem to point towards finding self-integration, to finding peace that lasts after the “astral plane” ride is over. Read the lyrics to this song again after reading the above and see what you think.
Some of the writers here have good handles on this song, some don't. I hope this adds some weight to the discussion. The Moodies most likely experimented with some kind of psychedelic medicines as was the fad of the day. But like many have found, those experiences may provide deep and profound spiritual experiences they are temporary and in the end you land "back in yourself". In other words, you get a glimpse of heaven which is fine, but you still have to come back into your mundane and messy life...however... after seeing the universal landscape you are never the same again which is why many who, with guidance and proper psychedelic experiential settings and guidance, try it and then begin focusing on doing the kinds of inner work (meditation, yoga, etc.) that provide a more grounded way of getting to "nirvana".
If you take the catalog of songs on their first 7 albums you will realize that Pinder, Thomas, Lodge, Hayward, and even Edge were traversing spiritual landscapes individually but the song lyrics indicate a lot of commonality. I suspect they were primarily into mysticism and eastern philosophical leanings. Also, I am sure some of them must have known and been friendly with Leary who was proselytizing LSD along with Richard Alpert Phd (Ram Dass). Look up their story, it is interesting. Ram Dass split with Leary and ended up in India and has a pretty incredible story and came back to teach what he had learned there in America. He was a good guy. Leary ended up a mess.
Now about this song...in my take it is Pinder saying that LSD is not the ultimate "answer" to finding the peace of mind Leary was promoting. He wasn't putting him down outright, but he wasn't preaching his gospel either. The song feels like a respectful acknowledgment of a fellow traveler whose path the band chose not to take—a reminder that LSD driven insights alone don't equal awakening. The Moody Blues’ catalog of lyrics seem to point towards finding self-integration, to finding peace that lasts after the “astral plane” ride is over. Read the lyrics to this song again after reading the above and see what you think.