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As someone interested in the 1960s and the culture and art of psychedelia, I need to say this:
It worries me to see people promoting psychedelics and entheogens in a reckless manner. These substances are not toys to be played with, merely to chase a high.
Entheogens and psychedelics can be life changing yes, but for the unprepared and the unserious, they can be life-damaging, especially in the West where there is little to no cultural or spiritual context for these substances. For every groundbreaking moment and leader in the counter culture, there are people who didn't make it. People who have taken substances without adequate preparation or support have lost their sanity and in some cases, their lives.
It's one thing to use psychedelics and entheogens in a medical or spiritual context with an experienced, ethical practitioner. But using them to get a few experiences and then setting oneself up as a guru with a cult of spiritual personality is unethical and dangerous.
As I've gone on with my research and my writing, I've come to appreciate that the serious Buddhists advise against psychedelics on the spiritual journey because they're shortcuts that come with a high risk.
Back to sitting zazen.
Don't do drugs, kids!
It worries me to see people promoting psychedelics and entheogens in a reckless manner. These substances are not toys to be played with, merely to chase a high.
Entheogens and psychedelics can be life changing yes, but for the unprepared and the unserious, they can be life-damaging, especially in the West where there is little to no cultural or spiritual context for these substances. For every groundbreaking moment and leader in the counter culture, there are people who didn't make it. People who have taken substances without adequate preparation or support have lost their sanity and in some cases, their lives.
It's one thing to use psychedelics and entheogens in a medical or spiritual context with an experienced, ethical practitioner. But using them to get a few experiences and then setting oneself up as a guru with a cult of spiritual personality is unethical and dangerous.
As I've gone on with my research and my writing, I've come to appreciate that the serious Buddhists advise against psychedelics on the spiritual journey because they're shortcuts that come with a high risk.
Back to sitting zazen.
Don't do drugs, kids!
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