Obbe
2006-07-30, 20:54
It is clear to me, after seeing the results of my thread on Human Conscience and God, that the overall population in this forum is uneducated in the field of the spiritual uses of cannabis and other entheogens. I think that’s ridiculous, as this is a forum to discuss our religious and spiritual beliefs.
However, I do personally believe in spiritual enhancement that can be found in cannabis. These beliefs, believe it our not, were not included in that earlier thread. And since nearly everyone who commented was more concerned with my comment on marijuana then on any of the connections that I presented, I decided to compound this collection of information on that subject you found more interesting.
Before we get started on this, I would like to point out that none of the following belongs in BLTC. Yes, this has to do with drugs, but not the recreational use or aspect of these drugs. The following is from a spiritual, ritualistic point of view, usually involving a focus or meditative state to enter the correct state of mind. That’s the reason some people are so quick to disbelieve, and why recreational drug users miss the point. It takes practice, patience, and the right frame of mind; entheogens are tools, and like any tool are only as good as their master.
I have tried posting things like this in BLTC before, but the majority of their population doesn’t believe in such things. And so they never try, and never experience it. You could go to church ever Sunday and not listen to the sermon. You could get in your car and drive around in circles all day and never drive anywhere useful. And you could use entheogens recreationally, and miss out on the spiritual benefits.
This is many peoples spiritual guide, and as such has the right to belong here. That all taken care of, we can now move on to the basics: How any person can experience a taste of the spiritual benefits of cannabis.
MB: "Don't you think that if marijuana had such potentials that people would have discovered them long ago? I mean, everyone 'gets high' at one time or another, but no one I know of gains any psychic powers or finds God through weed."
Blake: "In reference to the first part of your question, people did actually discover the spiritual potentials of marijuana long ago. References to this herb in the ancient Vedic texts of India, indicate that it was being used by Rishis and Yogis at that time to gain deepened perceptions. As for the fact that 'everyone gets high' as you said, yet few find God or greater personal power, this is just a result of cultural influences. Lets look at it this way. Compare marijuana to driving a car. As soon as you take a puff you're behind the drivers' seat. The engine's running and you can go anywhere you want. But just because you own a car though, does not guarantee that you will take it to useful, productive or enlightening places. You may just drive in circles, get in a wreck or simply drive it off a cliff. It all depends upon your intention when you're driving as to where you end up, and what you'll do when you get there. Marijuana is the same way. Although it contains great potentials for self-transformation and can take you to places you never dreamed of, its effect is still primarily limited to the mind that is driving it, so to speak."
“…first of all, the whole image of marijuana must be changed. It is usually viewed as a 'recreational drug' but this is a serious underestimation of its potential. Believing that marijuana is just a toy is like treating the space shuttle as just another Forth of July bottle rocket. By approaching marijuana with more respect, we are then in a position to gain more from it. This herb can teach us much more than most people imagine. In many shamanic traditions it is believed that peyote, psiloscybe mushrooms, ayahuasca and others, contain wisdom-increasing properties. It is believed that they hold sacred lessons, and an Earth intelligence that can be learned from. This is the whole meaning behind the word ‘entheogens”
"Basically, when we say ‘getting high', we mean getting into high feelings, and this is the same as saying 'getting into a higher personal vibration'. Science has shown through EKG readings and a number of other electromagnetic measurement devices, that the body emits energy at varying frequencies. These frequencies, especially in the case of brain waves, change as our state of consciousness changes. Studies have shown that positive feelings create a characteristically different set of emitted brain wave frequencies than those of a depressed nature. The high frequencies or feelings created through the intake of marijuana are likewise very different from most peoples' everyday state of consciousness. When used properly, marijuana can thus raise our vibrational rate of being, or in other words our state of consciousness. It can even do this on a semi-permanent or permanent basis."
MB: "And people don't usually recognize this fact, because they're using the wrong intention?"
Blake: "That's right. When they smoke their intention is usually focused just on feeling a little better, or upon using the smoke as an avenue for interaction with others. So instead of realizing they have just undergone an important and powerful shift of consciousness, they waste a glorious opportunity. They fritter away a wonderful means to gain greater inner strength by focusing upon trivial things."
Here is a simple experiment anybody could try to get a taste of what their talking about:
· Step 1 - Hold the intention of 'exploring the high' in the mind before a smoke session. By 'exploring' we mean observing it in detail, while at the same time focusing on getting higher and higher.
· Step 2 - Take a puff of smoke and hold it in the lungs in a calm, relaxed manner.
· Step 3 - While holding this breath, notice the onset of 'the high' as it enters the lungs and spreads throughout the body. Be particularly observant of the high feelings in the area of the heart.
· Step 4 - Exhale while remaining focused on your observation of the high state now present in the body/mind. Let thoughts continue to slip away to the point that only awareness of the high remains. Know that you can be a state of mind rather than a string of thoughts.
· Step 5 - Know that the high is a sacred thing. It is an opportunity for unlimited personal gain, and to view it as such opens the door to this potential. Remain focused on the high itself and when thoughts intrude, return to that focus. As the mind remains focused on only the high, the high is then amplified even more.
· Step 6 - The high is at this point, even higher than it was originally. In other words, the pitch of feeling and level of energy associated with it are increasing to greater and greater levels. This occurs because anything the mind focuses upon it increases. Don't get overwhelmed by this. Stay relaxed, and see just how far you can 'explore the high'. As the high increases stay focused upon it, and this will increase it even more, especially with a second and third puff. It will be felt bodywide, but take particular notice of the feelings in the heart, the head and base of the spine. Stay with this focus for at least 20 minutes.
http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_spirit6.shtml
Now then, some of you may be knowledgeable in the Buddhist practices and meditations. One such meditation is known as shamatha. This is single-pointed meditation, tranquil-abiding, where you calm you mind and body down and let your thoughts slowly leave you until only one remains. One emotion, one object of meditation…. whatever it may be, as long as they are meditating in relation to a positive object to enhance their ability to focus.
I am not a Buddhist myself, as I do not agree with some of their explanations and such. But, I do agree with the basic philosophy, and the practices. I use cannabis as a spiritual guide often, by practicing single pointed meditation on the high. It only takes a puff or two, and through intention, you can control the vibrations of your entire body. Certain points along your body however produce very positive energies when focused on.
And yes, those points are indeed charkas as you might have guessed. The following ritual goes into more detail:
The Herbal Chakra Meditation
Sit or lie comfortably. Take one puff of sacrament and immediately begin focusing on the feelings throughout the body. Those new to this practice may begin by focusing upon the high in a very small area of the body, such as the tip of the right index finger. Be carefully aware of every subtle detail of feeling in this area. Allow your awareness of the high to spread to the entire finger, then the hand, arm, both arms, chest, torso, head, legs and feet, (not necessarily in that order). Do not avoid any pain, fear or other unpleasantness found anywhere in the body. [Such feelings are usually the result of Intentions which inhibit personal growth, and these can be "reprogrammed". Fear can be replaced by love, confusion by clarity, and pain by vibrant energy/positivity.]
As thoughts inevitably run though the mind, (in the case of most persons) simply relax, and return again and again to a feeling-awareness focus on the high, even if this means doing so a hundred times every minute. Chronic, rampant, seemingly unstoppable thoughts in the mind are a symptom of stored stress in ones' being. As the practice of meditation proceeds, stress is released, and the tendency of thoughts to intrude upon this process will gradually diminish. Succeeding meditations will tend to get easier and easier, just as you will learn to get higher and higher. Be patient and don't let the simplicity of this method of meditation deceive you.
Let your awareness travel freely from one area of the body to the next, as it will be inclined to do. Feel every subtle detail of the high, body-wide. Areas of particular stress or activity will attract your awareness, and hold it for longer periods than the rest of the body. Allow this to happen, as it is a function of natural self-healing processes, energy body activity and the expansion of consciousness. Don't be concerned or irritated by intruding thoughts, just continue to return to a feeling/awareness-oriented focus on the high within the body, in a relaxed manner
http://www.eoni.com/~visionquest/library/SOTH.html
I don’t have time for much else, as I have to go get high so I can broadcast my show over shoutcast. So here’s some information that relates pot to the bible for you practitioners of that faith:
http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_spirit2.shtml
However, I do personally believe in spiritual enhancement that can be found in cannabis. These beliefs, believe it our not, were not included in that earlier thread. And since nearly everyone who commented was more concerned with my comment on marijuana then on any of the connections that I presented, I decided to compound this collection of information on that subject you found more interesting.
Before we get started on this, I would like to point out that none of the following belongs in BLTC. Yes, this has to do with drugs, but not the recreational use or aspect of these drugs. The following is from a spiritual, ritualistic point of view, usually involving a focus or meditative state to enter the correct state of mind. That’s the reason some people are so quick to disbelieve, and why recreational drug users miss the point. It takes practice, patience, and the right frame of mind; entheogens are tools, and like any tool are only as good as their master.
I have tried posting things like this in BLTC before, but the majority of their population doesn’t believe in such things. And so they never try, and never experience it. You could go to church ever Sunday and not listen to the sermon. You could get in your car and drive around in circles all day and never drive anywhere useful. And you could use entheogens recreationally, and miss out on the spiritual benefits.
This is many peoples spiritual guide, and as such has the right to belong here. That all taken care of, we can now move on to the basics: How any person can experience a taste of the spiritual benefits of cannabis.
MB: "Don't you think that if marijuana had such potentials that people would have discovered them long ago? I mean, everyone 'gets high' at one time or another, but no one I know of gains any psychic powers or finds God through weed."
Blake: "In reference to the first part of your question, people did actually discover the spiritual potentials of marijuana long ago. References to this herb in the ancient Vedic texts of India, indicate that it was being used by Rishis and Yogis at that time to gain deepened perceptions. As for the fact that 'everyone gets high' as you said, yet few find God or greater personal power, this is just a result of cultural influences. Lets look at it this way. Compare marijuana to driving a car. As soon as you take a puff you're behind the drivers' seat. The engine's running and you can go anywhere you want. But just because you own a car though, does not guarantee that you will take it to useful, productive or enlightening places. You may just drive in circles, get in a wreck or simply drive it off a cliff. It all depends upon your intention when you're driving as to where you end up, and what you'll do when you get there. Marijuana is the same way. Although it contains great potentials for self-transformation and can take you to places you never dreamed of, its effect is still primarily limited to the mind that is driving it, so to speak."
“…first of all, the whole image of marijuana must be changed. It is usually viewed as a 'recreational drug' but this is a serious underestimation of its potential. Believing that marijuana is just a toy is like treating the space shuttle as just another Forth of July bottle rocket. By approaching marijuana with more respect, we are then in a position to gain more from it. This herb can teach us much more than most people imagine. In many shamanic traditions it is believed that peyote, psiloscybe mushrooms, ayahuasca and others, contain wisdom-increasing properties. It is believed that they hold sacred lessons, and an Earth intelligence that can be learned from. This is the whole meaning behind the word ‘entheogens”
"Basically, when we say ‘getting high', we mean getting into high feelings, and this is the same as saying 'getting into a higher personal vibration'. Science has shown through EKG readings and a number of other electromagnetic measurement devices, that the body emits energy at varying frequencies. These frequencies, especially in the case of brain waves, change as our state of consciousness changes. Studies have shown that positive feelings create a characteristically different set of emitted brain wave frequencies than those of a depressed nature. The high frequencies or feelings created through the intake of marijuana are likewise very different from most peoples' everyday state of consciousness. When used properly, marijuana can thus raise our vibrational rate of being, or in other words our state of consciousness. It can even do this on a semi-permanent or permanent basis."
MB: "And people don't usually recognize this fact, because they're using the wrong intention?"
Blake: "That's right. When they smoke their intention is usually focused just on feeling a little better, or upon using the smoke as an avenue for interaction with others. So instead of realizing they have just undergone an important and powerful shift of consciousness, they waste a glorious opportunity. They fritter away a wonderful means to gain greater inner strength by focusing upon trivial things."
Here is a simple experiment anybody could try to get a taste of what their talking about:
· Step 1 - Hold the intention of 'exploring the high' in the mind before a smoke session. By 'exploring' we mean observing it in detail, while at the same time focusing on getting higher and higher.
· Step 2 - Take a puff of smoke and hold it in the lungs in a calm, relaxed manner.
· Step 3 - While holding this breath, notice the onset of 'the high' as it enters the lungs and spreads throughout the body. Be particularly observant of the high feelings in the area of the heart.
· Step 4 - Exhale while remaining focused on your observation of the high state now present in the body/mind. Let thoughts continue to slip away to the point that only awareness of the high remains. Know that you can be a state of mind rather than a string of thoughts.
· Step 5 - Know that the high is a sacred thing. It is an opportunity for unlimited personal gain, and to view it as such opens the door to this potential. Remain focused on the high itself and when thoughts intrude, return to that focus. As the mind remains focused on only the high, the high is then amplified even more.
· Step 6 - The high is at this point, even higher than it was originally. In other words, the pitch of feeling and level of energy associated with it are increasing to greater and greater levels. This occurs because anything the mind focuses upon it increases. Don't get overwhelmed by this. Stay relaxed, and see just how far you can 'explore the high'. As the high increases stay focused upon it, and this will increase it even more, especially with a second and third puff. It will be felt bodywide, but take particular notice of the feelings in the heart, the head and base of the spine. Stay with this focus for at least 20 minutes.
http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_spirit6.shtml
Now then, some of you may be knowledgeable in the Buddhist practices and meditations. One such meditation is known as shamatha. This is single-pointed meditation, tranquil-abiding, where you calm you mind and body down and let your thoughts slowly leave you until only one remains. One emotion, one object of meditation…. whatever it may be, as long as they are meditating in relation to a positive object to enhance their ability to focus.
I am not a Buddhist myself, as I do not agree with some of their explanations and such. But, I do agree with the basic philosophy, and the practices. I use cannabis as a spiritual guide often, by practicing single pointed meditation on the high. It only takes a puff or two, and through intention, you can control the vibrations of your entire body. Certain points along your body however produce very positive energies when focused on.
And yes, those points are indeed charkas as you might have guessed. The following ritual goes into more detail:
The Herbal Chakra Meditation
Sit or lie comfortably. Take one puff of sacrament and immediately begin focusing on the feelings throughout the body. Those new to this practice may begin by focusing upon the high in a very small area of the body, such as the tip of the right index finger. Be carefully aware of every subtle detail of feeling in this area. Allow your awareness of the high to spread to the entire finger, then the hand, arm, both arms, chest, torso, head, legs and feet, (not necessarily in that order). Do not avoid any pain, fear or other unpleasantness found anywhere in the body. [Such feelings are usually the result of Intentions which inhibit personal growth, and these can be "reprogrammed". Fear can be replaced by love, confusion by clarity, and pain by vibrant energy/positivity.]
As thoughts inevitably run though the mind, (in the case of most persons) simply relax, and return again and again to a feeling-awareness focus on the high, even if this means doing so a hundred times every minute. Chronic, rampant, seemingly unstoppable thoughts in the mind are a symptom of stored stress in ones' being. As the practice of meditation proceeds, stress is released, and the tendency of thoughts to intrude upon this process will gradually diminish. Succeeding meditations will tend to get easier and easier, just as you will learn to get higher and higher. Be patient and don't let the simplicity of this method of meditation deceive you.
Let your awareness travel freely from one area of the body to the next, as it will be inclined to do. Feel every subtle detail of the high, body-wide. Areas of particular stress or activity will attract your awareness, and hold it for longer periods than the rest of the body. Allow this to happen, as it is a function of natural self-healing processes, energy body activity and the expansion of consciousness. Don't be concerned or irritated by intruding thoughts, just continue to return to a feeling/awareness-oriented focus on the high within the body, in a relaxed manner
http://www.eoni.com/~visionquest/library/SOTH.html
I don’t have time for much else, as I have to go get high so I can broadcast my show over shoutcast. So here’s some information that relates pot to the bible for you practitioners of that faith:
http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_spirit2.shtml