What do you think of the use of psychedelics to aid spirituality?

Question

Cannibus, mushrooms, LED, peyote, and many other substances have been used in the past to aid in spirituality.

Do you think someone who claims to have had a spiritual experence while using one of these substances has had a valid spiritual exprence? Why or why not?

Awesome, cosmicdrifter. :D

Answer 1

Interesting question, I have read that the ancient sages of Judaism often fasted without sleep for many days in order to prostrate themselves to the Lord. Fasting is still an observance in Jewish tradition. So if this is how our ancestors sought to be closer to G-d then perhaps there is credence to physical deprivation. ...Not sleeping...No eating...Gee If only there was a drug that could do that.

Answer 2

"What do you think of the use of psychedelics to aid spirituality?" - I can not believe being out of control can help a person learn anything. Drugs take more than they give, and the cost is to high for the people using them.

"Do you think someone who claims to have had a spiritual experence while using one of these substances has had a valid spiritual exprence? Why or why not?" - I do not know - they may have????
Also, how would a person drugged up understand what is real and not real?
How would people not drugged up see what the drugged up people are seeing and hearing - to share in the discovery?
Sorry, I can not follow this path. It's boring, and slower - but I'm content on my path. Peace, on your path.

Answer 3

Psychedelics tend to temporarily unhook patterned neural connections, which can give the user new perspectives on what they see and believe. However, perception is still an internal function, and will always be colored by existing information inside the head of the user. Psychedelics don't create experiences, they create a blank canvas for new perceptions. So does meditation, prayer, neuroses, psychosis, emotional trauma, emotional rapture...The real problem with psychedelics is that it's very easy to start believing pretty much anything your imagination can come up with during the experience, and the human mind's got more strange stuff in it than we can ever know--not all of it beneficial or enlightening.
Validity seems to be in the eye of the beholder. Valid for anyone else is always subject to question.

Answer 4

Many cultures have traditions of using psychedelics to see parts of the world differently by seeing parts of the mind differently. I think this is a perfectly valid approach, as long as it is done with the right spirit and not done to escape or to hide.

As a person in recovery, I don't have the option of using any substance to see reality differently. This is perfectly fine with me: my sober life has been much richer than my drinking/drugging life ever was. That being said, I have several friends who are pot smokers, and some who do mushrooms. It doesn't bother me in the least. They are good, responsible people.

Answer 5

In a graduate social work class I took about alcoholism and substance abuse counseling, I learned that there is a high correlation between certain forms of mental disorder and various sorts of drug and alcohol use. Psychedelics tend to lend themselves to schizophrenia and schizophrenia tends to include persistent beliefs that don't mesh well with reality... More and more it seems to me that at least very mild schizophrenia may explain most "spiritual" experiences. If using psychedelics lead to developing a mild form of schizophrenia and that had a high correlation to "spiritual" experiences, then that would explain a lot...

Answer 6

i won't be in a position to declare my spirituality has been affected, besides the undeniable fact that this is genuinely a reason for problem and remorseful approximately. The saddest element is with the AIDS epidemic got here a virus of lack of expertise. i latterly heard a spiritual radio coach host declare AIDS replaced right into a effect of sin, and condoms might desire to be banned. basically this morning a co-worker voiced her opinion that homosexuality replaced into the only reason AIDS exists. definitely, this is terrifying that lots of deaths have befell and yet maximum folk of folk able to helping refuse to do something yet throw around blame. it relatively is not a time for accusations, it relatively is a time for trustworthy attempt and compassion.

Answer 7

Been there, done that. And you have no way to tell what happened was real or not. I did peyote and the trees were trying to grab us. I don't think that was very real for some reason.

It really isn't a particularly good idea.

Answer 8

Before I encountered Jesus Christ, I involved myself with all of the substances that you have mentioned,and others as well.

These types of drugs have been used by Native American tribes and other religeous groups for "spiritual enlightenment".

However,one does not reach God through expanding the mind,but rather by the regeneration of the spirit. Drugs are not the pathway to God.

In my experience, prayer,repentance and acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth on the cross was my spiritual awakening. I am saved from the wrath of God,because of faith in the grace of God.

Answer 9

I do beleive so. I want to make Witches Flying Ontment myself.

I accept what many people in southern America say. Essentially, without the plant being there [IE, if you use synthetics, or really long dead plants, then it isn't proper] you won't be true.

Answer 10

I think that both people who claim to have had spiritual experiences through Jesus or peyote are misguided.

It doesn't matter if your drug is physical matter or an abstract concept, it's still artificial.