Intent

[SomaResearch]

Another question...

Speaking generally and not directed at any one person, do you have intent of what you want to experience before you take anything?

I understand there are stages one might go through before anything really profound occurs. I think the first is a re-living of childhood memories and/or repressed events that require resolution before continuing on the journey of personal growth. Sort of like therapy. LOL After all, that's why substances like DMT, shrooms and LSD are being tested right now in a clinical setting, correct?

Then there is a feeling of Oneness, and finally a full-blown experience.

But I read stories where people ask the plant/substance for specific things. Perhaps it is a request to tune down intensity.

Is that really possible? Or does anyone really know and you only take the substance and wait to see what happens? Like a psychedelic lottery of sorts?

If I can ever have the opportunity in future, I would like to experiment and ask specific questions to get (hopefully) specific answers. That is, after I try and figure out something for myself on the ''therapy'' side. I want to get all the crap out of the way so I can get down to business.

This would range from learning about human history, seeing what trials and tribulations my ancestors experienced, to maybe (now this is a huge stretch) learning how to create new technology or to come up with something new to help everyone. I want to use it as a tool and not something to ''party'' with. Hope that makes sense. Or are my expectations too high?

After all, there has to be a reason why some of the substances are called Teachers. I want to learn more. One excellent example is Ayahuasca. Out of literally thousands of plant species in the jungle, how in the world did the people learn to mix plants in just the right combination? The shamans all say the plants taught them. But if Ayahuasca didn't ''exist'' before that, what did the people do in order to learn? Perhaps the experiences were created by dancing, chanting or drumming before substances were known.

Thanks for putting up with all my questions.

 

[zn13bt]

I clearly state my intent out loud just before taking whatever substance I'm using. Or I dedicate the trip to the guidance of my favorite spirit(s). The moment of ingestion is highly charged emotionally (especially if you've been doing this for years and have plenty of good and bad memories to draw on) and whatever you do at that time will set the tone for the entire trip. Then during the trip and afterwards I do my best to record any interesting or unusual thoughts and ideas that come to mind, no matter how trivial or profound or silly or dangerous they may seem at the time. By this method I always get some kind of response to what I'm asking. (Though it's not always the answer I want to hear... )

 

[velmwend]

The only intent I have nowadays is meditation or inspiration for music.

 

[SomaResearch]

That is so awesome to hear zn13bt! Errr, read. :D

Care to share anything that isn't too personal? Are all your questions/intents personal or are they of a generic nature?

 

[elr]

Another question...

Speaking generally and not directed at any one person, do you have intent of what you want to experience before you take anything?

sure. i hope to feel peaceful and content when it's over.

I understand there are stages one might go through before anything really profound occurs. I think the first is a re-living of childhood memories and/or repressed events that require resolution before continuing on the journey of personal growth. Sort of like therapy. LOL After all, that's why substances like DMT, shrooms and LSD are being tested right now in a clinical setting, correct?

you don't have to relive memories or repressed events. it might happen. if you have some trauma you might get lucky and overcome it. it can be very therapeutic. it can help you have a newfound playfulness and improved self image. it can also help you move forward with a positive attitude about life and yourself.

Then there is a feeling of Oneness, and finally a full-blown experience.

sometimes people talk about achieving great heights to imply that they have some experience or knowledge that you don't. life experiences don't happen on a linear scale so don't feel like you have to accomplish getting really really high to figure stuff out.

But I read stories where people ask the plant/substance for specific things. Perhaps it is a request to tune down intensity.

i think that it's kind of hokey but the people that i've interacted with that have that approach have been pretty much harmless. i don't find that type of thinking helpful. then again, sometimes people are really in need of guidance and it works. right now i feel good and so there's not much depth to what i'm doing or experiencing in my free time usually. one time i got a mushroom chocolate at a festival and took it home. i was depressed. i needed it (guidance), and it really helped a lot. so, it depends on what you have going on in your life.

Is that really possible? Or does anyone really know and you only take the substance and wait to see what happens? Like a psychedelic lottery of sorts?

i think it's unpredictable but you can help yourself out by choosing a good environment to trip in. a safe comfortable place is most always going to be good.

If I can ever have the opportunity in future, I would like to experiment and ask specific questions to get (hopefully) specific answers. That is, after I try and figure out something for myself on the ''therapy'' side. I want to get all the crap out of the way so I can get down to business.

i think self therapy is a great thing to get good at.

This would range from learning about human history, seeing what trials and tribulations my ancestors experienced, to maybe (now this is a huge stretch) learning how to create new technology or to come up with something new to help everyone. I want to use it as a tool and not something to ''party'' with. Hope that makes sense. Or are my expectations too high?

i've tried. all of those things you want to do sound great. you might have more success if you spend your time learning and doing those things and then party to unwind. strike a balance. if you're going to be sober for 5 days and high for two, you should probably focus most of your time on those goals and then use the other time to regroup. what you're talking about would be a great basis for a career.

After all, there has to be a reason why some of the substances are called Teachers. I want to learn more. One excellent example is Ayahuasca. Out of literally thousands of plant species in the jungle, how in the world did the people learn to mix plants in just the right combination? The shamans all say the plants taught them. But if Ayahuasca didn't ''exist'' before that, what did the people do in order to learn? Perhaps the experiences were created by dancing, chanting or drumming before substances were known.

i believe that the best lesson the plants can help you learn is compassion, empathy, kindness, peace, etc. those things can be learned in many ways. also, the human mind is naturally pretty tripped out and wild. just being alive is enough to learn. people have created those experiences with dancing, chanting, and drumming. some native american rituals use peyote and a drum together.

Thanks for putting up with all my questions.

i like talking about it.

 

[Foreigner]

I state my intention out loud, but I also make sure that the day leading up to the experience also has the right attitude and intention set. No worries, no frustrations, not letting anything get to me, etc.

 

[Thorns Have Roses]

I don't have any intentions going into a trip, besides a reminder/resolve to enjoy myself (though more so within the trip, bringing that back up helps redirect unproductive negative thought currents). Otherwise I just try to be open to anything that comes up.