Consciousness is raising so quickly lately, that I really believe it's a good thing that people are trying these chemicals in ways that push my buttons. I actually think that it's a really brave act of rebellion against our cultural conditioning, even if it isn't consciously so or seems on the surface to be an act of idiocy :) Most of us yearn achingly for a reprieve from the mundane and a jaunt into the spiritual. Their lack of training in the ways of tradition, and finding their own way through their own particular experimentation, benefits the whole collective consciousness.

There are many different ways to look at this situation that you mention Paul, and I think things happen the way the should with the circumstances that surround said experiences. Personally I have only had three separate experiences with the moleule, and each one of them has been an incredible journey. They have not been done with a conscious intention, but each time they have been done in a space full of love and family. A self-guided intention hasn't been in place, but a respect for the molecule, pre-disposed I might add, has always been there. I waited a long time till I seized the moment, saying no many, many times. It is ignorance that leads people into the situations that you have spoken about. Whether that comes from the first-time user, or from the person looking to make some $$.

To your assertion that they aren't getting the full experience......I would be careful with that line of thinking, for it borders on you imposing your thoughts and experiences on someone else and invalidating their experience. The experience itself is drawn from the inside and so that canvas is up to the individual and where they stand. Whether that's a current life 'standing' type, or whether it is something that is inherent to their beliefs of what life and reality is and where they sit in it. No individual can truly say that their experience is more enlightening, or less for that matter. There's an inherent message to each blast off that if you search for you will find in your sub-conscious. Even those who as you, and many others, might say is abusing the molecule will be shown something along those lines through said experience(s).

I have battled with the thoughts on whether it is right for everyone or not. I still kind of battle with it. On the one hand you want people to see the inherent beauty that the human mind can unlock. We can hope and pray that through said experiences they can feel more of a connection with the waking life and everything that surrounds them. If nothing else come to some new understanding with themselves. This can be much to ask for though, especially for those who prematurely take this plunge. Alas, it is a double-sided coin and the individual determines which side it lands on. A very good friend has an expression the origin of which I am ignorant of......
"There are those who seek enlightenment, and there those who seek oblivion. They both generally find what they are looking for."

Great thread and great conversation between all. My only food for thought for you Paul is just to keep doing what you feel in your heart and don't get so caught up in the desecration of something you hold near and dear. Focus your thoughts/energy purely on the positive energy and love that you have for these ceremonies and everything else is outside of your control. BTW if you didn't already know this the first time I decided to take the plunge was in your circle at the Onnomon show. It was an incredible experience that I re-visited to an extent in a little ceremonial mushroom experience that I had at my house with my wife.

Teach' with respect' the consiousness shall follow'

Bliss

Nobunoni +

- Its seriously bad karma to treat the sacred medicines this way

I believe we are at a point in our evolution where we have the knowledge of our own divinity and can use our power of choice and divine command to intentionally clear, cancel, and transcend karma. Karma is not the way of the Tao, it's a construct in the game of limitations. No experience is wasted, everything is integrated into the whole. As we consciously receive divine grace, the karma of others is balanced, released, cleared, as we merge into oneness.

Think about the idea of karma...do you really want people who have made mistakes and errors in thinking to perpetually suffer on the wheel of karma? If you feel that there are those treating sacred medicines in a way that is profane, I feel it's much better to understand, most people on the planet have no cultural context for sacred use, they are doing the best that they can, and instead of cursing them with "bad karma", I bless and bless and bless them, that they find the way out of this maze of limitations that they seek. I really do, I bless all that is, all that was, and all that ever shall be, very often. It seems to me that this planet would be a much much more fun place to be if we all walked around blessing each other all of the time instead of cursing each other.

Thanks for the post, George....Sounds like a very warm welcome to hyperspace indeed.

Now I'm not heterophobic or nuthin', but i gotta say.....Gay men often do seem to see the light a little clearer, no?

I'm just saying......

wade

I mean who can take 3 hits off of a pipe filled with DMT and NOT have a sacred experience?

Awesomely put KLØNE138!

Bliss

Nobunoni +