Alright, here are a couple prompts to start this discussion off right:
- What religious views do you hold? This answer doesn’t have to be too in depth just a short response as to what you believe.
- What is your position on psychedelics? Coupled with that response, please provide a summary of the research you have done on the subject and briefly back up your reasoning.
- What rituals do you have in your life that provide you the most enjoyment?
- What do you do most often when you feel confused and need to clear your head?
- How do you feel about “The War on Drugs”? What drugs do you think should be regulated and what drugs do you think should be banned?
- Do you have any personal experiences with psychedelics or do you know anyone who has experience with psychedelics? If so, please elaborate on your experience or the significance of another persons experience to you.
- How do you feel psychedelics should be treated in the future? Why?(e.g. they should be completely legalized, they should be banned without consideration, they should be used in certain situations)
1.) Overall I’m pretty Agnostic but I love learning about mythology and
philosophy that I’m not familiar with.
2.) I took an interest in psychedelics after I got out of Massage School and didn’t really want to get into the field or go back to work. A friend of mine is a supporter of drug use in general but I was dead set against any intoxication until Listening to Joseph Campbell talk about mythology and rights of passage involving some. From there the interest built, looking for legal substances and learning what I could on the net about LSD, Mescaline and Psilocybin. Original extraction, usage in the 60s, research and banning. A lot of it was from things like history channel type documentaries. I think they can be a useful tool for psychological development or realignment, but I can understand why theres a fear of that idea. Neither the spiritual or psychological community understands the mind enough to utilize them without risk of harm or abuse.
3.) Surfing the web for whatever catches my interest at the time.
4.) Hate to say it but I can’t really recall a specific occurance, so I’d lean toward saying I just distract myself from the question rather than deal with it. Generally distraction entails loosing myself in Video Games, TV, Books or Comics
5.) Completely ineffective, Waste of Money and a Source of unneeded Violence. Its fairly obvious that its ineffective, but it also creates a black market which the only way to deal with problems in a black market is violence. It doesn’t do much to curb the demand and as long as people want stuff they’ll always be a market, legally sanctioned or not. I’d be in favor of free liberty at home but definitely would require enforcement against driving or other things dangerous to others while intoxicated.
6.) In my research I came across a national geographical article on Ayahuasca, I figured it would be a wise choice for a first trip since the shaman would be familiar with its effects and I’d be doing it in a more ritual setting. I traveled to the peruvian amazon (First time out of the country[Canada doesn't count], first time traveling alone and first time with a chemical [maybe a sip or two of alcohol], and I only speak english) and drank in 4 of the 5 ceremony I was present for, and it was a good experience each time. I was under the effects for I’d say 2-4 hours each ceremony, and I’d say overall they helped me experience a center and different perspective on life. It wasn’t the uncontrolable explosion of the divine I was perhaps hoping for, but I feel it helped me to accept a bit of risk and was a stepping stone for learning to forgive myself and others for things. Worth the time and money I spent.
7.) kinda similar to 5, Overall I don’t think you can stop anyone who wants something so i’m quite open to the idea of free market for all of them, but I can understand the reasons for wanting to restrict them. I certainly would expect an increase in overdoses but I detach myself from that issue because it is ultimately personal responsibility when it comes to chemicals. Psychedelics also tend to be a phase drug, you use it for a while and then maybe never again. It helps you through what your looking for and then you set it on a shelf. There will always been those people who abuse any chemical, but I don’t see a reason to ban the use for everyone.
http://www.QuestioCunctus.com