Religion associated with psychedelics?

[sheepie]

Is there some sort of psychedelic religion? I know some of the basic principles of psychedelics have to do with peacefulness and oneness with all. So religions like Buddhism can work. But is there any official religion? Then again, all this stuff is rather subjective...

 

[egor]

Church of the True Inner Light

From erowid>
"DPT is a relatively uncommon psychedelic tryptamine with effects somewhat similar to those of N,N-DMT. It is best known for having been used as a sacrament by the Temple of the True Inner Light."

link> http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/dpt/dpt.shtml

 

[RainbowWarrior]

i personally really dislike institutionalized religions, and i think many people who use psychs would agree that your spirituality is the most personal and subjective thing there is...

though i can def. say that psychs brought me closer to a buddhistic worldview than i was before

(then again i'm now also closer to a christian, islamic or socialist worldview - they all share a true core imho, and they all fail to transport that core effectively because they try to do so with words, rules and force... but as ghandi said: "there is no way to freedom, freedom is the way" )

but to answer your question straight: no, there is not any one official religion for psychs - as nobody would have the right to claim that (nevertheless there are cults/religions based on the psychedelic experience... one of the older ones would be "the myths of eleusius")

 

[Aloysius]

This is off-topic, but maybe someone will find it funny... 'Discordianism' has nothing to do with psychedelics at first glance, but any 'religious' document starting with the following quote warrants some attention. Tripped-out shit for sure.

If organized religion is the opium of the masses, then disorganized religion is the marijuana of the lunatic fringe.
—Kerry Thornley, The introduction to the Principia Discordia 5th Ed.

It's basically no religion at all...

 

[Raw Evil]

lol, discordianism.... I must have read the Principia Discordia maybe three or four times now. It's a fantastically absurd take on the disparity between the beliefs and the actions of "religious people".

I'd say that if there's a single truth towards which psychedelic users tend to gravitate, it would have to be the perennial philosophy, which is defined (intentionally) loosely as the "universal recurrence of philosophical insight independent of epoch or culture, including universal truths on the nature of reality, humanity or consciousness". Aldous Huxley describes it in great detail in his book by the same name, which I am currently partway through reading, and enjoying thoroughly.

I do have to agree with RainbowWarrior though; institutionalising your spirituality in a religion only serves to cement your understanding of the universe, which on the surface may sound like a good idea, but in the long term serves only to prevent your own spiritual growth.

 

[Jesusgreen]

I think one of the things that psychedelics and dissociatives taught me is that personal belief is a far greater power than all religions combined, look for what it is you believe - just because there isn't a church that agrees with you doesn't make your beliefs wrong. I disagree with organised religion, and I think finding your own true path - whether that be atheist, agnostic, following a religion, or forming your own beliefs - is something only you, and you alone can do.

There are no right or wrong beliefs, there are only right beliefs for each one of us.

 

[Raw Evil]

I think one of the things that psychedelics and dissociatives taught me is that personal belief is a far greater power than all religions combined, look for what it is you believe - just because there isn't a church that agrees with you doesn't make your beliefs wrong. I disagree with organised religion, and I think finding your own true path - whether that be atheist, agnostic, following a religion, or forming your own beliefs - is something only you, and you alone can do.

There are no right or wrong beliefs, there are only right beliefs for each one of us.

Forming your own beliefs is critical, but the next (and in my opinion, equally crucial) step is to share your views and listen to those of others. Collaboration between people, especially those of very different views of spirituality, helps us to see the similarities which hide behind our differences.

 

[Jesusgreen]

Forming your own beliefs is critical, but the next (and in my opinion, equally crucial) step is to share your views and listen to those of others. Collaboration between people, especially those of very different views of spirituality, helps us to see the similarities which hide behind our differences.

I agree, though if anything, the other way round works even better, you should look at as many other beliefs as possible before you form your own - discuss, debate, learn - and eventually you will know what best fits you. I think once you are comfortable in your beliefs - you should still be happy to discuss them, but only with those equally open-minded, who are willing to share their own beliefs in return. The key is to discuss but never to try and swing someone round to your way of thinking - since after all, it's your way of thinking for a reason, and not theirs

 

[Roger&Me]

The meaning of the word "religion" is, to paraphrase: "doing the same shit over and over".

Doesn't mesh well with the psychedelic mindset IMO.

 

[drmcnasty]

If you want to read something about psychedelics and religion look up the post about Billy Mays being the 2nd coming of Christ. I think its explained there Just as well as anyone else can put it.

 

[LysergicEpiphany]

I believe all religion sprouted from some nutty old shamans crackpipe, stuffed to the brim with 'Herbal Essences' Just my two pence.

 

[drmcnasty]

Its someones way of offering you some shit that sounds too good to be true, backed by zero hard facts but if you believe enough and drop your money in the collection plate this shit will fix all your problems.

 

[Roger&Me]

LOL at the church I went to as a kid, they had the collection baskets on these long-ass poles so they could reach down the pews and get every last person's money. Hahaha, so in this scene you got this weird old dude in bright robes and goofy headwear at the front of the room pontificating on about some bullshit, and dudes in suits walking down the aisles with baskets affixed to rods, collecting money from all these poor chumps desiring some sort of happiness or peace from the whole demented shpiel.

Frightening vibes, man. I don't like that stuff at all, that churchy shit gives me panic attacks.

 

[any major dude]

^lol, i feel you on that one.

As for the OP's question, most religions have psychedelics and/or deleriants at their genesis (pun intended). Most religions also have some pretty good ideas. Unfortunately they uniformly get exclusionary & nasty as time passes for some reason.

But for example, buddhism mentions datura in a number of holy texts, syrian rue etc are mentioned in the old & new testaments in connection with the priestly classes. Siberian natives use amanitas, native american religions use everything from mescaline containing cacti, to salvia, to shrooms & morning glories, and of course we can't forget south america & ayahuasca. The greeks had the elusian ritual that involved some sort of psychedelic. Rastafarians smoke pot to help with some type of transcendence. So in a sense, all religions are psychedelic, but most have ceased practicing this part of their heritage. I imagine being really high on some type of psychoactive might make it easier to believe in some of the more nonsensical religions, but go figure.

 

[MistaJeff]

The Native American Church practices Peyotism.

 

[drmcnasty]

LOL at the church I went to as a kid, they had the collection baskets on these long-ass poles so they could reach down the pews and get every last person's money. Hahaha, so in this scene you got this weird old dude in bright robes and goofy headwear at the front of the room pontificating on about some bullshit, and dudes in suits walking down the aisles with baskets affixed to rods, collecting money from all these poor chumps desiring some sort of happiness or peace from the whole demented shpiel.

Frightening vibes, man. I don't like that stuff at all, that churchy shit gives me panic attacks.

Very well said! I agree with you 100%.

 

[:{ d. }:]

IMO, the psychedelic experience was a crucial benefactor in developing the early foundations for the early religions. Is anybody familiar with the role of the amanita muscaria mushroom in early Christianity and the early Indo-European religions? Also, it is purported that the Rig Veda (one of the first religious scriptures) is dedicated to the Amanita, it being the fabled Soma of the IE's.

 

[greenmeanies]

i can't believe nobody's mentioned the UDV (uniao do vegetal) church of brazil that uses ayahuasca as its sacrament around a generally Christian set of beliefs!

then there's the broad term of witchcraft or wicca which could include numerous plant allies and their spirits...

 

[:{ d. }:]

i can't believe nobody's mentioned the UDV (uniao do vegetal) church of brazil that uses ayahuasca as its sacrament around a generally Christian set of beliefs!

Don't forget Santo Daime!

Makes me proud to be Brasilian. :D