Psychedelic substances and spiritual development

[Vereya]

Very good indeed! I'm glad you found that aspect of yourself while tripping. What a refreshing read and some very interesting insight of yourself and your life have come of it. I have to add that you probably have the text book example of how to try LSD for the first time. You now can see where it is that some people can go off the rails under the influence. And I agree that it should not be available without having that first hand experience of psychedelics under your belt. That and a good guide make all the difference in the world.

Thanks for the appreciation, Unforgiven! :smile:
And yes, I've been thinking recently about this issue of allowing or banning LSD. On the one hand, it is for the first time since I began tripping that I understood just jow dangerous a substance can be, but on the other hand, I managed to solve some very difficult and deep personal issues while on LSD that I hadn't been able to solve with other substances. This time I can see that I really managed to do it, because I see the change in people's reactions towards me, and some of closer friends, who are not close enough to know about these experiences of mine, but close enough to speak frankly, have been saying how glad they are that I finally got rid of some of these problems. So, the change is not just in my head, I actually did it this time, and people see it and feel it and congratulate me. And the experience itself was not in any way frightening, or upsetting, because I did it right, I did it under proper guidance, and I was ready for it.
So what I think is - I do believe that LSD has got a great potential for inner development, for self-change, for inner growth. As such, it can do a lot of good. So if, for instance, I had the power to decide and to make laws, I wouldn't ban LSD altogether. But my experience has taught me that it needs to be taken under very good control and by those who already know how to cope, so I woiuld make the use of LSD very restricted and controlled. My idea of a potential LSD user is someone who is over 25 years of age, without any medically recorded mental disorders, someone who is either self-supporting, or provides for at least a half of his or her monthly budget, and who's got a good and positive history of psychedelic use, at least five good trips, with a good dose and with positive consequences. I guess this covers about all the risk points. Meeting these requirements is a great guarantee that you won't make a mess of your life afterwards.

 

[Cliffy]

Vereya,

At one time I was a connoisseur of vitamin L. I learned a lot, got rid of a lot of skeletons in my closet, saw the life force of all things animate and inanimate, felt the universe as part of my greater whole... in other words, I can relate to you reverence for this gift. But vitamin L can only take you so far. There is a point at which you have to make that empty handed leap into the void - no guides, no parachute, no rescue team.

Then you will finally begin the journey in earnest. Vitamin L clears the cob webs so you can see clearly. Once your vision has cleared you will not need L any more. That is the message of Journey to Ixland. Castaneda finally got it. All that peyote and Jimsonweed was to break down his social conditioning so he could see what Don Juan was trying to show him.

after your empty handed leap you may need a guide for the next part of the journey, until you can stand on your own two feet. But in the end, it is your journey to make. It is the only journey worth making.

Don't follow leaders
or watch parking meters.

 

[Vereya]

Vereya,

At one time I was a connoisseur of vitamin L. I learned a lot, got rid of a lot of skeletons in my closet, saw the life force of all things animate and inanimate, felt the universe as part of my greater whole... in other words, I can relate to you reverence for this gift. But vitamin L can only take you so far. There is a point at which you have to make that empty handed leap into the void - no guides, no parachute, no rescue team.

Then you will finally begin the journey in earnest. Vitamin L clears the cob webs so you can see clearly. Once your vision has cleared you will not need L any more. That is the message of Journey to Ixland. Castaneda finally got it. All that peyote and Jimsonweed was to break down his social conditioning so he could see what Don Juan was trying to show him.

after your empty handed leap you may need a guide for the next part of the journey, until you can stand on your own two feet. But in the end, it is your journey to make. It is the only journey worth making.

Don't follow leaders
or watch parking meters.

Yes, I do agree with you, Cliffy. Substances don't do your job for you. They just show you what's what and what you really are, pushing you from the individual fantasy world that most people live in into reality. And then it's up to you what to do with that knowledge, how to integrate it into your life, and how to use it. Ultimately the choice is yours, the substance can't choose for you.
But - it does make that empty handed leap possible. Without it, I don't think we would've known that it is possible to break away from the pattern, not to mention knowing just how to do it.

 

[Cliffy]

Vereya,

We are all flawed by a flawed reality. Growing up today is like growing up in an insane asylum. Most people don't even know who they are. They just keep playing the rolls that were handed to them. But once you begin to look beyond the veil of lies, there is no turning back.

Once the cobwebs are cleared, the adventure beckons and life takes on a whole new energy: an excitement of possibilities. From reading some of your posts, I see that you are well on your way. Happy Trails!

 

[Vereya]

Vereya,
Once the cobwebs are cleared, the adventure beckons and life takes on a whole new energy: an excitement of possibilities. From reading some of your posts, I see that you are well on your way. Happy Trails!

Thanks, Cliffy! My way does seem to be more clear before me! It's a great feeling, when you are beginning to actually implement everything you have seen and planned! :smile:

 

[scratch]

May all your plans come to fruition!

 

[darkbeaver]

Clinical trials of LSD showed great promise in the treatment of addicts especially alcoholics.

 

[Cliffy]

It was found in an Ontario hospital that one dose of LSD administered to a terminal cancer patient who was on high doses of morphine would alleviate the need for morphine for up to one month. Tells me that pain is mostly in the head and can be moderated by attitude.