Many cultures have a tradition of using psychoactive
plants in
religious ritual to aid in communion with gods and spirits. In fact,
some peoples worship these special plants as divinities themselves,
and speak of meeting with the spirit of the plant during their
experiences. These plants are called "entheogens" by anthropologists,
coming from the Greek which means "a god is within". Entheogens are
especially used by shamans and other spiritual specialists, to guide
them on their ecstatic trance journeys.
In recent decades, these plants have been discovered
by
members of
modern western cultures who are seeking experiences of the spiritual
and other planes of existence. These are not drugs to be taken just
to get "high." They must be respected. They exist, I believe, in part
to help us transcend our normal perceptions, our mental blocks, our
doubts, and experience the divine directly.
Due to a combination of factors, including our
cultural
issues with "drugs" and the biases of earlier anthropologists and
ethnographers such as Mircea Eliade, there are many misunderstandings
about the use of entheogens in spiritual practice. Some think that it
is unnatural - however, not only are plants certainly part of nature
itself, but it is well documented that even animals take advantage of
psychoactive substances when they can find them (reindeer eat amanita
mushrooms, birds eat fermented fruit that's become alcoholic). And in
fact, many of the same exact chemicals found in entheogens are produced
by our own bodies naturally (just not in the same quantities or
concentrations) - such as DMT which is present in our tissue (possibly secreted by the pineal gland), and
also found in the Amazonian brew called ayahuasca or yage.
Another commonly held idea is that entheogens are a
degraded
path to altered states of consciousness, only used in cultures once the
"purer" methods (such as meditation, fasting, rhythm, etc.) are
forgotten or no longer understood. But a thorough examination of
entheogen use in traditional cultures shows that they are often used
side by side with those other methods, by experienced shamans who know
what they are doing and can attain trance via other methods as well.
Entheogens are simply one tool in the toolbox of a spiritworker, no
better or worse inherently than any other tool, each with its own
benefits, risks and downsides. They are not "cheating"
somehow,
just because they provide a quicker path to altered states than some
other ways, because like every other path, they merely open a door, and
the spiritworker, or devotee, or medicine man, still has to go through
that door, handle themselves on the other side, retrieve useful
information, recall it afterwards, etc. The only difference is that we
can see very clearly that they are altering our brain chemistry -
however, other tools do the same thing, we just often don't realize it.
Pain, for instance, releases endorphins and changes our state of
consciousness. So does fasting. Hyperventilation or oxygen deprivation,
used in many rituals, works by changing brain chemistry as well. Just
because something functions via a physical process does not make it
less sacred - as most spiritworkers know well, the gods and spirits
usually work through physical means of some sort to communicate with
and touch us (for instance, answering our questions via the flight of
birds or fall of knucklebones, healing through the right mixture of
herbs or the hands of a healer).
And entheogens in fact are not an easy path at all.
Most of
them are dangerous to some degree, either from their physiological
effects (anywhere from mild nausea to death in extreme cases) or their
mental effects (they can blow open the doors of perception too quickly
for the inexperienced or unsuspecting experimenter, which can even lead
to psychotic breaks in some). It takes patience, courage and dedication
to pursue this path. You must research every plant you think of using,
make sure you know correct dosage and common side effects and
interactions. Ideally, you should grow the plant yourself, enter into a
close relationship with the spirit (not always possible to be sure, but
preferable). Offerings to the spirit of the plant, prayers,
purification, extensive preparations and rituals are all part of the
proper approach. Even if everything goes right, and the entheogens pull
aside the veil for you, you have to know what to do next
yourself.
The notes below are merely brief descriptions of those
entheogens I am experienced with, and my personal observations - they
are not meant as instructions or detailed information. Below that are
some resources for further study.
So far, all of these plants are still legal to possess
and
use in the United States (with the exception of Salvia, which is now
illegal in certain states), but that may not last forever. The
government of this
country clearly wants to control not only the bodies but the minds of
its citizens. Plants like these are merely aids in reaching altered
states of consciousness, and yet one by one they are being outlawed. If
we are not free to choose the state of our own minds, how can we
say we live in a free country? This issue is critical to the future of
our freedom, our spirituality, our most
fundamental rights. I support research of these plants for use in
physical and emotional healing, and for their abilities to expand
consciousness and let one communicate with the divine. I strongly
believe that educated and proper use of these plants will further us
as a species, and I pray that our chances to explore them will not be
cut off entirely by the same government that crowds our prisons with
harmless marijuana users (which is, of course, another entheogen, when
used respectfully).
Amanita Muscaria (fly agaric):
The classic "fairy"
mushroom, orange cap speckled with white. The dried mushroom is
usually eaten. Dramatic effects, made better by fasting beforehand:
hallucinogenic, space/time distortion, out-of-body sensation, opens
mind to
perception of otherworlds, spirits. The entire trip lasts for several
hours, depending on dosage. Often causes significant nausea, should
never be combined with
alcohol. Amanita can also be smoked, in which case the positive
effects are less intense but the nausea is absent. Can be found
growing naturally in many areas (although be very careful as similar
species are deadly poisonous). Amanita and Salvia (below) are the two
plant spirits I work with most frequently, the only two I've
really developed relationships with spiritually. I will write
more
on them in separate articles.
Salvia Divinorum (diviner's sage): Plant
in the sage
family from Mexico. Dried leaves are smoked, and must be inhaled very
deeply and held in as long as possible. Truly a plant teacher, meant
for ritual use, gives clarity and depth to the world, opens one to
communication with spirits. Smoke can be harsh on the lungs. Effects
don't last very long, maybe half an hour, but are very intense. Plant
can only be cultivated from rooted cuttings. There is also enhanced
Salvia available (the active ingredient is extracted and then
deposited on a small amount of crushed leaf which is then smoked) in
5x, 10x and 20x - the effects are noticeably intensified, I have
noted synaesthesia, sense of motion while still, visual effects, etc.
In my experience, Salvia opens the door to the green world, the
vegetative life all around us. Salvia divinorum is now illegal in
several states.
Peganum Harmala (syrian rue):
Seeds of a small yellow flower. The crushed seeds are smoked. A
"potentiating agent", exaggerates the
effects of other drugs taken at the same time, but is relatively
useless
on its own. Should not be combined with alcohol. Especially useful
when smoked with Amanita.
Nymphaea Caerulea (blue lotus):
Flower commonly seen in Egyptian art. Flower is either eaten, smoked,
or soaked (at least 24
hours) in wine. No common side effects. Gives an opium-like buzz,
pleasant and warm. Effects increased greatly by taking with wine.
Calea Zacatechichi (dream herb):
Plant
from Mexico. Dried
leaves are smoked, or made into a tea (which is reportedly quite
nauseating). Traditionally taken before sleep to induce lucid dreams.
While awake, may also cause visual and aural hallucinations. Smoke is
harsh and unpleasant tasting, but no side effects. Can also be crushed
and put
into capsules and swallowed; allow 30 minutes for effects to
begin.
Sceletium Tortuosum (channa):
Native to southern Africa,
the leaves of this plant are smoked and the effect is not unlike that
of marijuana. Mood elevation, relaxation, altered perceptions but not
as severe as a hallucinogen. I have not personally noticed any
significant side effects.
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