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Cannabis and the Current Spiritual Evolution
Cannabis and Spiritual Evolution – Good or Bad?
As I sat with a friend, discussing the intricate dance between cannabis use and spiritual development, I found myself reflecting on the words of Alan Watts. When asked about his own cannabis use, Watts famously quipped, “When you get the message, hang up the phone.” This simple yet profound statement has stuck with me, especially as I navigate my own journey of spiritual growth while being a cannabis user.
During our conversation, my friend posited that cannabis could be a detriment to one’s spiritual evolution, particularly if we develop a strong attachment to it. I found myself nodding along, understanding the validity of his perspective. After all, attachment is often viewed as a hindrance to spiritual progress across various philosophical and religious traditions.
Yet, as a cannabis user myself, I couldn’t help but feel that this perspective, while valuable, might not tell the whole story. While I acknowledge the potential pitfalls, I also believe that cannabis, when used mindfully, may have a place within spiritual development.
In this article, we’ll explore the complex relationship between cannabis and spiritual evolution. We’ll examine how this plant can potentially enhance our journey through life, opening doors to new perspectives and insights. But we’ll also look at the flip side – when cannabis use might become detrimental to our growth and how to recognize those moments.
As we embark on this exploration, I invite you to approach this topic with an open mind, regardless of whether you’re a cannabis user or not. Our aim is not to promote or discourage use, but rather to foster a nuanced understanding of how this plant intersects with our spiritual paths. Has cannabis sparked a relgious and spiritual awakening?
To truly understand the complex relationship between cannabis and spiritual growth, we must first consider the perspective that cannabis could potentially hinder our spiritual evolution. My friend, who isn’t opposed to cannabis use but offers a thought-provoking viewpoint, presents a compelling argument worth exploring.
The crux of the matter lies in determining when cannabis use transitions from a tool for exploration to a potential obstacle in our personal growth and spiritual journey. My friend used an intriguing metaphor to illustrate this point: imagine going to the gym and having someone else lift the weights for you. While you’re going through the motions, you’re not actually building your own strength. This analogy resonates deeply when we consider our spiritual practice.
Another apt comparison is that of a crutch. When we’re injured and unable to walk, crutches are essential for mobility, allowing us to continue our daily activities despite temporary disability. However, once we’ve healed, continuing to use crutches can actually impede our progress. The discomfort of using a healing limb stimulates blood circulation, accelerating recovery. Prolonged use of crutches post-healing can lead to dependency, ultimately reducing our mobility and strength in the long run.
This crutch analogy is particularly poignant when applied to cannabis use in spiritual practice. For many, cannabis becomes a crutch to “deal with their problems.” They rely on it as a panacea for emotional and spiritual distress, using it to navigate their inner turmoil. But this reliance may slow down or even halt personal growth. By leaning on the phytochemical relief provided by the plant, we might be avoiding the necessary work of diving deep into our own being and confronting our challenges head-on.
It’s crucial to remember that cannabis isn’t a prerequisite for achieving spiritual enlightenment. We shouldn’t need it to de-stress or access deeper meditative states. In fact, most religious and spiritual paths emphasize inward, endogenous healing as the key to spiritual enlightenment. The answers we seek often come from within, not from external sources.
In this light, cannabis can indeed become a detriment to personal and spiritual development. If you find yourself questioning whether cannabis is helping or holding you back, I strongly encourage you to meditate on this. Listen to the whispers of your soul. While the potential for cannabis to hinder spiritual growth is real, it’s important to note that this may not be true for everyone.
Ultimately, the goal of spiritual practice is to develop our inner resources, to build our spiritual “muscles,” if you will. When we rely too heavily on external aids, we risk neglecting the development of these internal capacities. The danger lies in becoming dependent on cannabis to achieve states of mind or insights that we should ideally be able to access on our own.
However, it’s essential to approach this perspective with nuance. Just as the usefulness of crutches depends on our state of healing, the impact of cannabis on our spiritual journey may vary based on our individual circumstances and the stage of our spiritual development. What might be a helpful tool at one point in our journey could become a hindrance at another.
Now, let’s flip the script and explore another perspective on cannabis and spiritual growth. To truly understand the potential benefits, we need to look at some intriguing historical examples and scientific insights.
Most people aren’t aware that Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, didn’t strictly follow his own protocol to overcome his crippling alcohol addiction. While AA doctrine emphasizes relying on a “higher power” to conquer addiction—a concept rooted in hermetic principles of using the higher to govern the lower—what’s often left out of AA meetings is that Wilson experimented with LSD alongside Aldous Huxley. It was only after this experience that he was able to break free from his addiction.
But why did LSD help Wilson achieve this goal? The answer lies in the way psychedelics affect the brain. When you use LSD, your brain lights up, and neural pathways that aren’t typically connected suddenly form new links. This state of hyper-neuroplasticity presents a unique opportunity to reconfigure neural pathways—which is essentially what addiction is, a neurological loop where the user is stuck.
Moreover, excessive drinking often creates a barrier between the individual and their sense of the divine or Higher Self, effectively cutting off their connection to spiritual realms. Wilson’s use of LSD served to re-ignite this divine spark, allowing him to reconnect with his higher self and ultimately overcome his addiction.
Cannabis, while not as potent as LSD, works in a similar manner. It creates a unique moment of altered perspective. The rush of dopamine and the increase of phytocannabinoids in the system allows for a state of neuroplasticity, helping users step out of their habitual thought patterns and behaviors. This is why cannabis has shown promise in treating conditions like PTSD—it provides enough neuroplasticity to break free from traumatic loops.
Beyond its potential for breaking negative patterns, cannabis can also enhance spiritual awareness and deepen meditative states. For individuals who feel “cut off” from any divine connection or struggle to connect with their higher self, cannabis can act as a conduit to establish this connection. It can facilitate entry into deep meditative states, allowing for profound introspection and spiritual insights.
Many users report that cannabis helps them gain new perspectives on life, enhances their creativity, and fosters a sense of connectedness with the world around them. These experiences can be deeply spiritual, leading to personal growth and a greater understanding of one’s place in the universe.
Furthermore, the cannabinoids in cannabis interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and balance. By supplementing this system, cannabis can potentially help create a more harmonious state of being, which can be conducive to spiritual growth.
It’s important to note that cannabis only becomes problematic when one becomes overly attached to it, turning it into a spiritual crutch. The key is to view and use cannabis as a tool, much like how we might use coffee to wake up in the morning or meditation to center ourselves.
Reflecting on my own experience, I shared with my friend that while I consume cannabis regularly, I don’t feel an unhealthy attachment to it. I see it as a versatile tool in my spiritual and wellness toolkit. I use it to unwind in the evenings, sometimes to enhance meditation, and often as a way to replenish my endocannabinoid system, allowing me to function better overall.
This balanced approach allows me to harness the potential benefits of cannabis for spiritual growth without becoming dependent on it. It’s about using the plant consciously and intentionally, always staying aware of its effects and our relationship with it.
Moreover, for those dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, or other conditions that can hinder spiritual practice, cannabis can provide relief that allows them to engage more fully in their spiritual journey. By alleviating these physical and mental obstacles, cannabis can create space for deeper spiritual exploration.
It’s also worth considering the long history of cannabis use in various spiritual traditions around the world. From ancient Hindu sadhus to Rastafarians, many have incorporated cannabis into their spiritual practices, viewing it as a sacred plant that can facilitate communion with the divine.
While it’s crucial to be mindful of the potential pitfalls of cannabis use, it’s equally important to recognize its potential as a spiritual enhancer. When used consciously and in moderation, cannabis can be a valuable tool for breaking negative patterns, gaining new perspectives, deepening meditation, and facilitating spiritual growth. The key lies in maintaining a balanced relationship with the plant, using it as a tool for exploration and growth rather than a crutch or escape. As with any spiritual practice or tool, the intention behind its use is paramount.
So, what do we do with all of this information? How do we navigate the complex relationship between cannabis and spiritual growth?
My friend’s perspective has indeed influenced my approach. These days, I typically reserve my cannabis use for the end of the day, around 11 PM, similar to having a nightcap—a way to destress and prepare for the next day. However, I still use cannabis and personally don’t struggle with strong attachment. This is largely because I’ve invested years in personal growth work and occasionally use psychedelics, always as a tool rather than an escape.
While I agree that we shouldn’t rely on crutches when we’re healed, I also believe in using the right tool for the job. You wouldn’t try to drive a nail with your bare fists when a hammer is available. Not only is this less efficient, but it’s also likely to cause harm. You might opt for a rock instead of your fists, but it’s still less effective than using a proper tool like a hammer.
This analogy encapsulates the crucial distinction for me: is cannabis a tool or a crutch? In my personal experience, I use it as a tool. That’s why I’ve stopped using it at the beginning of the day, choosing instead to experience life’s stresses in high definition. Yet sometimes, depending on the day’s activities, I’ll roll a joint and ride the waves of euphoria to the shores of gnosis.
However, it’s vital to be a psychedelic cartographer. Don’t rely on substances to reach these states. Instead, when using them, discover the feeling, acknowledge where you are, and then find ways to return there without the aid of drugs. This is, at the very least, my current approach to psychedelics and cannabis—viewing them as tools, not crutches.
Perhaps one day I’ll “get the message and hang up the phone,” as Alan Watts suggested. But for now, I still have several nails to hammer, so I’ll continue to rely on my trusty tool belt to get the job done.
Nonetheless, this is a deeply personal decision. One must listen to the whispers of the heart to understand whether cannabis is an enhancer or a detractor in their spiritual journey. The key is to be spiritually honest with yourself and to accept whichever answer you receive.
Remember, what works for one person may not work for another. Your spiritual path is your own, and only you can truly know what aids or hinders your growth. If you choose to use cannabis as part of your spiritual practice, do so mindfully and intentionally. Regularly check in with yourself to ensure it’s still serving your highest good.
Ultimately, the goal of any spiritual practice is to foster growth, self-awareness, and connection with something greater than ourselves. Whether cannabis has a place in that journey is a decision only you can make. Trust your intuition, stay open to new insights, and above all, be kind to yourself as you navigate this complex terrain.
CANNABIS AND SPITUALITY, READ ON…
