Musings

Musings

DirtySciFiBuddha13 Comments

There are so many approaches to spirituality—drugs, meditation, charity, prayer—my theory is that one approach is not inherently better than the other; my theory is that each individual must find the approach that pushes him/her to new heights.  

And it’s not always the fun/exciting/accepted one either.  

13 thoughts on “Musings”

  2. The concept of spiritualism, which seems somehow utopian to me, is confusing. Why would one want to find spirituality? How would it help?
    And also, I think that meditation, charity, and prayer are all inherently better than drugs…

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    • I think I understand what you’re saying, but first, let me address the second thing: “Drugs” covers a wide range of substances. You have the commonly and rightly reviled opiates and amphetamine derivatives, then you have psychedelics, and while I’m not going to get into a science lecture, I’ll leave you with two studies: A John Hopkins one where a single dose of psilocybin made most of its subjects a better person for at least a year (not sure what metric they used, but for now I’ll place my trust in the rigor of a John Hopkins study) and ibogaine, which after a single dose will cure something like 90% of heroin addicts. Like anything, I’d posit that the concept of “drugs” must not be vilified nor put on a pedestal, but carefully investigated to see what can help where. Now spirituality is utopian. Why would one want to find it? Even if its just a placebo effect, that has shown direct benefits in a scientific environment. And if it’s more than that…well, I leave that up to you. 🙂

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  3. Then again, all the other approaches are better than drugs right??
    How can drugs push you to new heights when all they do is a give a temporary high!! (Guessing we are talking about the same drugs)

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    • I answered this in a previous post, but the blanket condemnation of “drugs” is fallacious in the same way that a blanket condemnation of anything is fallacious. There are only substances, and by themselves they hinder or harm. (I doubt anyone’s going to condemn a surgical anesthetic). Now as far as recreational drugs go, we have the well-known opiates and amphetamine derivates that destroy peoples’ lives and have legalized versions such as aderall and oxycontin. But here I’ll venture into controversy: A john hopkins study used a metric (unknown to me, but right now I’ll place faith in the scientific rigor of a john hopkins study) to determine that a single dose of psilocybin could make someone a better person for as long as a year into the future. Also a single dose of Ibogaine reportedly will cure over 90% of patients with heroin addiction. I brought up the word “drugs” to purposefully address the stigma associated to a blanket concept. Anytime we “blanket-concept” anything, we cut ourselves off from further investigation and awareness, and I think that will ultimately be counterproductive to our evolution. HOWEVER, I agree with you from a certain standpoint; without discipline and a diminished ego, someone can easily get lost in a potent substance, and ANY addiction is counterproductive. Perhaps we need further evolution before considering such matters, but I believe that eventually the blanket stigma that surrounds the word “drugs” will fade. When we are sufficiently prepared, that is. Thanks for your comment! 🙂

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      • I guess the stigma regarding drugs just made me completely forget the fact the vitamins we take or any medicine as a matter of fact is considered a drug as well. That’s something to teach you not to keep a fixed view about anything!! 🙂
        And yes, rather than saying undisciplined or over use is whats making it a bad impact, we end up making it a bad substance itself, forgetting to remember its what holds the capability to heal too 😀 😀
        You’ve given me a new perspective 🙂

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  4. Drugs …. I suppose they could bring on lucid dreaming and connection.
    For me it was the mundane daily chores at exactly the same time in the same sequence over long summers. Chanting to remove the boredom through it became routine too. So sir add dull chores to your list…. No drugs just drudgery.

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    • I am extremely averse to drugs myself, or any form of modification that wasn’t “natural.” As a kid I believed that laser surgery was cheating, haha! But as I grow older, I believe certain drugs can be used for spiritual growth. Have I tried them? Nope. Meditation/introspection’s my thing, but as I keep doing my introspective thing, I can’t help but notice anecdotal evidence. Now obviously amphetamine and opiate derivates are incredibly harmful, and are actually even legal (oxycontin and aderall) but I recently read about a John Hopkins study that indicates a single dose of psilocybin can make someone a better person (not sure what metric they used, but for now I’ll place partial faith in the rigor of a John Hopkins study), and a dose of Ibogaine will supposedly cure 90% of heroin addicts. There’s blanket stigma of “drugs” that I think chemicals don’t deserve. Now the concentrated forms of them that we consider drugs are EXTREMELY powerful, so I advocate conservative thinking on the subject, but as humanity as a whole gradually becomes more mature and aware, I believe at some point that subject bears exploration. However, yes, I agree with the idea that steps must be careful when broaching such things, because concentrated substances seem to amplify the natural tendencies of a person, and if they aren’t sufficiently disciplined, then it seems to be a negative thing. Maybe humanity just needs more time, and I’m fine with that. Sorry for the ramble, and as Always, Thank You for commenting! 🙂

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