using drugs to open up?
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using drugs to open up?
| Mon, 02-12-2007 - 12:16pm |
Hi,
I feel 'blocked' and would like to open myself up. Any suggestions on how to do this? Also, do drugs help open one up? I know there is a history of drugs for religious/spiritual purposes.
I feel 'blocked' and would like to open myself up. Any suggestions on how to do this? Also, do drugs help open one up? I know there is a history of drugs for religious/spiritual purposes.

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I would hesitate, myself, to consider using drugs for spiritual purposes. **UNLESS** I had a spiritual leader, like a Shaman, who is experienced to guide initiates using drugs like peyote, etc., to go on a spiritual vision quest. Without such a mentor that I had trained under for a long time and whom I trusted implicitly, I think using drugs could be dangerous and without a guide, impossible to interpret correctly. Native American religions are the ones I have read about that use peyote. This is not my tradition nor my training, so drugs would not be my method of choice to unblock or to push deeper into Spirit.
I use several tools I find valuable. The first two take training and persistence and a commitment to regular daily practice. Those two are 1) t'ai chi and 2) sitting meditation. The third is getting out with my dog into Nature. Walks on hiking trails, feeling the Earth beneath my feet, sitting and being with a tree, appreciating beauty, being in solitude. All these things have stood me in good stead as tools for spiritual depth.
I prefer to keep my mind clear of outside influences, such as drugs, because on my path as a Wiccan, I believe cultivating inner focus and silence is my best way of communion with the Goddess and God. I also spend some time each day before my altar as well.
Perhaps you could spend some time in solitude, reading and studying, or journaling, spending time in Nature, without outside influences or interruptions. Get away for a day or just a few hours for your own personal spiritual retreat, or start setting some time each day for solitary spiritual pursuit? Are you a member of a spiritual community/church? Is there someone within that, you could talk to?
I hope this helps! :)) Blessings and best wishes on your path and that you may find what you need.
Gypsy
)O(
P.S. If you are looking for a spiritual tradition or a religion, you might take this quiz on the Beliefnet web site, to see what your own beliefs lean towards, or to give you a place to start:
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html
Edited 2/12/2007 1:07 pm ET by gypsywolfwoman
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
Long ago, in my college years, I tried marijuana. I found it clouded my brain, made everything just a-o.k. and I had no motivation at all do make any changes or do anything about my life. I just sat in a kind of mellow stupor. :-\ I stopped quickly when I realized my brain was fogged on it. Be cautious! It was only short term "experimentation" but it cured me of wanting to try out the drug scene. :P
The way I look at it, is that the times I feel "empty," are like the seasons of the earth. There are times we must lie "fallow" and rest. Stop striving or studying, and just "be." I learned my meditation method while practicing Zen for a few years at a local Zen meditation center. The Zen training helped me to understand that sometimes I get in my own way, letting my mind get carried away with all sorts of thoughts and opinions about everything, just spinning, living in my "head" and not in the moment, in real time. Being spiritual is like a daily discipline, a re-grounding to what's important and essential in my life. Like physical exercise is for nurturing and helping our bodies be healthy, taking time each day for spiritual practice is for keeping our spirits healthy. ;))
As hard as it is sometimes to pull myself out of a rut of not doing anything, I am learning that nudging myself back into a daily spiritual practice is what gets my spirit moving and healthy again. It's so easy to get bogged down, with all the rest of our lives pulling and demanding of us, isn't it? Sometimes doing what benefits us the most, is the hardest for us to do.
Have you researched or tried the Belief o Matic quiz? That might be a start. Connecting on spiritual boards online can help some, too, talking with others, but I just recently found, that joining a small Pagan Circle, after years as a Solitary, has helped renew my spiritual path in many ways, having people in real life, to connect with. Have you searched for a spiritual group or church? Sometimes doing it all alone is the hardest thing.
Hugs,
Gypsy
)O(
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
You said that pot made you more mellow and ok with your life. That almost sounds like a positive thing because it sounds like it made you more content. Is it similar to meditation in the fact that your mind kind of goes blank?
Maybe you're right that I just need to let the things be for awhile. Maybe I'm trying to hard. I have searched for others to study with but haven't really found anywhere where I fit in yet.
You made a lot of good points. Thanks so much!
I also want to ask about this Pagan Circle that you're a part of. I've never explored that religion and am just wondering what it's like. I also have a background in Eastern meditation and I guess it doesn't conflict with Paganism. oh, and are Pagans and Wiccans against drug use? Thanks!
Edited 2/13/2007 9:00 am ET by 12midnite
Edited 2/13/2007 9:33 am ET by 12midnite
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