The insights and gains from these kinds of medicinal experiences (with psychedelics, ketamine, MDMA, etc.) often sound extraordinary -- like they offer a level of transcendence or connection that feels beyond what many achieve through traditional spiritual practices. Does this resonate with your experience? Do you think these substances can deepen most people's relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are difficult to access otherwise?
And if a goal of many spiritual journeys is to draw as close to the Divine as possible, could exploring these substances be an important step for most people? I realize this might lean toward the extreme, but I’m trying to understand whether these substances are necessary for optimally enhanced spiritual growth. (I acknowledge that phrasing this as 'optimally enhanced spiritual growth' feels problematic, but I’m struggling to find a better alternative.) In other words, if one does not try this, are they missing out on the opportunity to be as close to God-- or to attain as much insight and enduring joy-- as possible? It’s all a matter of discernment, but if this is a way to achieve ultimate closeness to the Divine and exceptional insight and joy—and since these things are highly valued on the spiritual path—are psychedelics ultimately a very important consideration for one’s spiritual and healing journey?
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on these things -- now or in a future post!
hi Kath! I think I *will* cover this in a future post, when I'm a little further down this road, but here's a short answer.
I think people have a wide variety of experiences on these medicines. I think people, generally speaking, do much better and have fewer challenging (and enduringly challenging) experiences when they do it with a supportive guide (not just a sober sitter but a trained guide), with proper attention to ethics, intake, protocols, mental health context and history, and more.
That all said: I really do think it can help a *lot* of people feel better, and closer to God. I've been lucky to be with really kind, ethical, wise people in this space so my perspective my be skewed, overly optimistic. But I've witnessed firsthand, and personally experienced, a remarkable level of spiritual healing, transcendence, liberation into joy.
It's not for everyone. A lot of people are just too scared or unwilling to look under the hood (of their brains/psyches/shadow etc). But yes: if you really crave closeness with the Divine, it will help.
And only a handful of people call me Kath -- most of whom were at C's baptism. Wonder if you heard the nickname there and absorbed it. Haha Happy rainy Friday!
And yes, been thinking about this as the extinction burst for a long time. It'll be a long one though, because white dominant heteropatriarchy has been around for... ever?
TRUTH! but we've also been training it out of culture for 150 years or so? So maybe this is the last big fireworks display of horrible retrogressive behavior before things shift?
A gift to me Molly that I wish to gift to you:
Love always
Elsa
BECAUSE
by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
So I can’t save the world—
can’t save even myself,
can’t wrap my arms around
every frightened child, can’t
foster peace among nations,
can’t bring love to all who
feel unlovable.
So I practice opening my heart
right here in this room and being gentle
with my insufficiency. I practice
walking down the street heart first.
And if it is insufficient to share love,
I will practice loving anyway.
I want to converse about truth,
about trust. I want to invite compassion
into every interaction.
One willing heart can’t stop a war.
One willing heart can’t feed all the hungry.
And sometimes, daunted by a task too big,
I tell myself what’s the use of trying?
But today, the invitation is clear:
to be ridiculously courageous in love.
To open the heart like a lilac in May,
knowing freeze is possible
and opening anyway.
To take love seriously.
To give love wildly.
To race up to the world
as if I were a puppy,
adoring and unjaded,
stumbling on my own exuberance.
To feel the shock of indifference,
of anger, of cruelty, of fear,
and stay open. To love as if it matters,
as if the world depends on it.
amen amen! <3
Make sure you get an Anterior Hip replacement - no cutting of muscle - much safer and faster recovery! Prayers for healing - Ann
I am!
The insights and gains from these kinds of medicinal experiences (with psychedelics, ketamine, MDMA, etc.) often sound extraordinary -- like they offer a level of transcendence or connection that feels beyond what many achieve through traditional spiritual practices. Does this resonate with your experience? Do you think these substances can deepen most people's relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are difficult to access otherwise?
And if a goal of many spiritual journeys is to draw as close to the Divine as possible, could exploring these substances be an important step for most people? I realize this might lean toward the extreme, but I’m trying to understand whether these substances are necessary for optimally enhanced spiritual growth. (I acknowledge that phrasing this as 'optimally enhanced spiritual growth' feels problematic, but I’m struggling to find a better alternative.) In other words, if one does not try this, are they missing out on the opportunity to be as close to God-- or to attain as much insight and enduring joy-- as possible? It’s all a matter of discernment, but if this is a way to achieve ultimate closeness to the Divine and exceptional insight and joy—and since these things are highly valued on the spiritual path—are psychedelics ultimately a very important consideration for one’s spiritual and healing journey?
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on these things -- now or in a future post!
hi Kath! I think I *will* cover this in a future post, when I'm a little further down this road, but here's a short answer.
I think people have a wide variety of experiences on these medicines. I think people, generally speaking, do much better and have fewer challenging (and enduringly challenging) experiences when they do it with a supportive guide (not just a sober sitter but a trained guide), with proper attention to ethics, intake, protocols, mental health context and history, and more.
That all said: I really do think it can help a *lot* of people feel better, and closer to God. I've been lucky to be with really kind, ethical, wise people in this space so my perspective my be skewed, overly optimistic. But I've witnessed firsthand, and personally experienced, a remarkable level of spiritual healing, transcendence, liberation into joy.
It's not for everyone. A lot of people are just too scared or unwilling to look under the hood (of their brains/psyches/shadow etc). But yes: if you really crave closeness with the Divine, it will help.
Thanks for your thoughtful response. So interesting to consider in terms of how I/we think of spirituality / spiritual paths and goals..
Stumbled upon this article with Rohr and Merton insights on psychedelics that was interesting too: https://lfpress.com/opinion/columnists/tallman-psychedelics-may-have-role-in-religious-experience-if-god-so-wishes (Think Merton's point creates a false binary though)
And only a handful of people call me Kath -- most of whom were at C's baptism. Wonder if you heard the nickname there and absorbed it. Haha Happy rainy Friday!
I love Shrinking!
And yes, been thinking about this as the extinction burst for a long time. It'll be a long one though, because white dominant heteropatriarchy has been around for... ever?
TRUTH! but we've also been training it out of culture for 150 years or so? So maybe this is the last big fireworks display of horrible retrogressive behavior before things shift?
Beautiful,as always Molly. Or maybe even more so! Thanks!!!
Wow, that was awesome, Molly!
thank you sweet!