Psychedelics and Spiritual Practices

[lysergication]

I take psychedelics since 10 years now. During my psychedelic career, I've had quite a few life-changing experiences which made me realize the spiritual side of life. I came from an atheist by education point of view to a "life is ultimately spiritual" point of view. I guess this is the case for a lot of people who have taken psychedelics for some time.

During my last trip, I realized that I was taking psychedelics the wrong way. I took this last one only because I wanted to test this new one I hadn't tested at a strong dose yet. Actually I never really maintained strict rules about my psychedelics use. I always take psychedelics with me when I go on vacation, just in case, I often take psychedelics to go out in a party..I don't use them as sacraments (except salvia and ayahuasca). Anyway, I was in my room completely assailed by colorful psychedelia and it was obvious that I hadn't respected the basic rules of the psychedelic experience, set and setting. I was there, always under the impression that a room mate or my girlfriend could enter my room and disturb me in my (not so joyful) trip, so bad setting. And before taking the drug I was kind of upset because I was almost prevented again to try this one. I took it only because it's been some time that I wanted to try it and now that I had a few hours I wanted to trip absolutely. Bad mindset. So I was unable to enjoy the strong effects I was experiencing without actually having a bad trip, all I could think was "well, you fucked. Now you just have to wait for this one to pass".

But, when I came down, I was in a super interested mood. I felt like I could read entire encyclopedia on any subject and find it fascinating. I began to browse the internet about Islam and when reading about spiritual practices in Islam, I realized (once again) that I had never applied, in any practical way any of the spiritual conceptions psychedelics have led me to understand. And that that was maybe one of the cause or maybe the cause of this feeling of boredom and separation from the world and my life I have currently. It's like all the spiritual truths that psychedelics have revealed, truths that I know deeply in my heart to be true, are putted aside my Cartesian world conception without being integrated. It's like psychedelics have changed me in theory but not in practice.

What I want to say is that I feel like psychedelics without a form of spiritual practice don't really led you by themselves to a cool place. Psychedelics can show you spiritual truths but it's not enough to become spiritual and feel those truths in everyday life. What's the point of experiencing those thoughts and do nothing with it ? You have to train yourself to become spiritual in a natural way. It seems to be like everything you want to be good at, actually. And I'd like to be more spiritual in my everyday life now, not only by chance during a strong trip. You see what I mean ?

I'd like to hear opinions and advice of other peoples who have undergone similar experience.

What about your psychedelics use ? How and How often do you use psychedelics if you still use them ? Are psychedelics leading to spiritual practices eventually ?

What techniques do you use to integrate spirituality into your everyday life ? Was it hard in the beginning ? How much time did it takes you to become natural ?

(Is this thread belong more to the psychedelics forum feel free to move it )

 

[YellowPolkaDotHalo]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Here-Now-R-Dass/dp/0517543052

Be Here Right Now by Ram Dass ( Timothy Learys associate) would be a good addition to any shamans library. After chomping silly amounts of LSD and also grappling with the Cartesian duality you mention, he ended up in India with a Guru ( like you do )
He asked the Guru, interestingly enough, what this substance meant spiritually and he, unphased by eating about 20 blotters, said 'Nothing'.

Ive a lot to say on the subject Lysergical. Interesting post! And yes I have used substances shamanically but Im just pondering what I want to share in an open forum right now

Hope you get loads of interesting responses. I'm looking forward to reading what other bluelighters have to say.

 

[Spooky Snacks]

My major goal of psychedelic use is to achieve epiphany.

Going about in my normal every day life whether or not I'm high on marijuana, have been drinking, or simply stone sober I often bounce back in forth between diferent conceptualizations and philosophies on my current state of reality.

For example i often have complex inner debates on whether or not I should simple ignore my so called "frenemies" or actually engage them in my life and lifestyle and slowly and systematically destroy their belief system, hopes and dreams.

My psychedelic use therefore plays an important part in my reality in that it allows me to achieve a fresh perspective when one of said substances are imbibed. For example if I take ecstasy and feel the love and empathy that mdma no doubt provides my feelings and opinions can be altered if no doubt temperaraly to allow a person to interact with me on a personal basis. That interaction afterwards, can no doubt be dichotomized and a safe decision or at minimum personal pact can be realized and acted upon. LSD serves a more spiritual purpose in that it allows me to explore the darkest receses of my psyche and further my personal philosophical eduaction. It also allows for brief recesses to explore intense and wonderful visuals.

Psychedelics are an essential part of my mental and spiritual health in that the provide an means to objectify, construct and reconstruct reality at will.

 

[lysergication]

thanks for the responses !

YellowPolkaDotHalo, I know this book but I've never read it, maybe now would a good time effectively. thanks for remind it to me

My major goal of psychedelic use is to achieve epiphany.

Sure, I think it's a good thing to keep in mind if you want to keep the respectful consideration these substances should always deserve. But I think use alone is "not enough" to fully integrate in everyday life the double view that would allow you to live with the flow while knowing it's all divine and illusion. Live and, importantly, feel the "paradoxical flow" I could say. Doing things like you really are a part of the ever creating force behind the fabric of reality, like you are the paintbrush that life needs and choose to express itself.

It seem to me that psychedelics allow you to know this but some kind of work or discipline is needed to feel it in everyday life. But in the same time, I know it's already there and looking for it is what is keeping it away. Yes, it's definitively paradoxical

 

[-=SS=-]

IMO: I think psychedelics should be used very sparingly.. like only a handful of times is all that is needed, just enough to shake you lose a bit and stir up your head. Continual use is counterproductive.. you want your assets intact and not frail around the edges. I don't think you make real progress spiritually with psychedelics by "examing your dark side" or anything like that.. I think that is just a clever rationalization to keep indulging, you convince yourself you're doing "spiritual" or psychological work on yourself when really you are just chasing your own tail. I think the real work and results come from doing things the proper way through introspection, meditation, and cultivation of energy. Psychedelics can give you a different perspective but really they're just a pictureshow that's all.

ps: the most amazing experiences and growth i've had weren't with psychedelics but through meditation. you can't beat what already is present within you!

 

[swilow]

I can relate to the OP, I think many people mistakenly use psychedelics as a spiritual practise in itself. They can be, but I see tripping as more a spiritual/mystical immersion; as opposed to simply reading about ego-death/bliss/samdhi/etc. you experience it (in one form at least). However, there is more to spiritual freedom and fulfillment then first hand experience of the mystery. Its about practising the notions born of psychedelic 'reality'; to me, these are the breaking down of duality (big or small), renouncing judgement, using empathy to reach out to strangers and friends alike, appreciating all things on their own terms, a true understanding of the self, etc...Practising these things erases the cognitive dissonance of having virtually empirical knowledge and yet completely ignoring it

What about your psychedelics use ? How and How often do you use psychedelics if you still use them ? Are psychedelics leading to spiritual practices eventually ?

What techniques do you use to integrate spirituality into your everyday life ? Was it hard in the beginning ? How much time did it takes you to become natural ?

(Is this thread belong more to the psychedelics forum feel free to move it )

I don't use psychedelics all that much anymore, though I have sampled probably two dozen chemicals, some only once, some many times. In the last 3 months, I've had one mild trip on 25C-nbome, plus a few dalliances with MXE and ketamine. In general, I have moved away from psychedelics for now, though my own current spirituality was enhanced majorly by ayahuasca and ibogaine. Besides the profundity of the experience, these two helped me quit heroin/opiates, which has in turn saved my life. I can't deny the impact psychedelics have had on my inner life.

I've used meditation techniques, generally the same techniques which allowed me to remain open when tripping; so things such as simple breath meditation, drumming, visualising, mantra. After becoming interested in shamanism and taoism/buddhism, I began to get interested in judaic religion, which lead me to learning about kabbalah, which then got me into 'modern' western occult practise (Thelema, chaos/gnosticism, goetic magick, pagan/wicca), of which I have researched a fair bit and practised a fair bit. I retain some sceptisism, but have found that practical 'magick' is close enough to archaic shamanic practise, just with more western trappings, which suit me as I require a pretty strong component of ritual and suspension-of-disbelief to lose myself. That is why psychedelics have appealed to me.

I agree with the poster above; I have experienced more spirituality when sober and meditating then when tripping. Tripping just pointed the way for me.

 

[lysergication]

I just want to make a quick update in case other peoples might be interested.

Maybe this could seem obvious..anyway, I found that it's the intention, honestly expressed, that bring (what seem to me so far) true integration in daily life of the spiritualistic nature of reality that psychedelics unveil. The practices come on their own hand in hand with the intention.

I feel like fair intentions is all that is needed when someone wants to integrate what psychedelics have showed to him.

I've taken psychedelics for ten years, and I just begin to understand what 'integration' means

This article writed by Stolaroff sum it up quite well : Using Psychedelics Wisely

 

[skinwalker]

Thats what its all about!! The INTENTION!!!
And no it isn't all that obvious....it is way too easy to get drawn into the astonishment of the experience...that is what the years of experience with psyches will reveal.
As for spiritual practices do what feels right for you, it is easy to try and look for an outside source for guidance but we all have it within us we just have to learn how to unlock it...noone can tell you how or what to do.

 

[YellowPolkaDotHalo]

As for spiritual practices do what feels right for you, it is easy to try and look for an outside source for guidance but we all have it within us we just have to learn how to unlock it...noone can tell you how or what to do.

Maybe we will find the key on our knees. Its so hard to be humble.

 

[webbykevin]

Psychedelics can give you a different perspective but really they're just a pictureshow that's all.

I strongly disagree with this statement, try high dose mushrooms in silent darkness alone, then tell me it's just a picture show.