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Stating the case of psychedelics

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VisualDistortion

Rising Star
Hello friend's, I want to share an idea with you that I hope will be recieved enthusiastically. Recently a thread titled "The Culture" was started by one of our brothers, hexagonomicon, in which people are discussing the banner under which the psychedelic community should fly. Some interesting points have been shared and all are worth consideration. But my personal opinion is that we should fly under the banner of freedom. While I appreciate what hexagonomicon said, and the point he made about using symbols to make it more of a spiritual manner, not all of us can fly under that banner. Myself, nor burnt, and I'm sure there are others; can fly under the banner of spirituality. And in an increasingly left brain thinking and skeptical society, they might want to cut right through that arguement too.

Think about the word freedom for a second. It is a powerful and emotional word. Everybody can get behind freedom, and everybody wants everyone else to be free. We all love the word freedom. It evokes images our ancestors fighting and dieing, and we feel the need to honor their spirit. Some will think of an eagle gliding high over a majestic lake when they think of freedom. Yes, freedom is a powerful word. It is a word the psychonaught and straight can get behind. Both preacher and partier will unite in the name of freedom. And that is why I propose that we push the rights of the psychedelic community under the banner of pure, unadultered freedom. EVERYONE can get behind that, and there is strength in numbers. Especially in a democracy.

Now comes my idea. I am no Leary, nor Kesey, or Huxley. At least not yet.:d But I can still try and do my part. I want to build a website that is dedicated to making a straightforward case for the edification of psychedelics. This must be done. Because by our definition of freedom, we should not deal harm to ourselves or others. The thousands of years that proved many psychedelics to be safe were destroyed by government propaganda in the mid 60's to late 70's. Now it is time to reverse the damage done. If you know something positive that psychedelics have done, just state it here.

Books, movies and music that were inspired and influenced by psychedlics are a great starting point. Those are things that people have a strong emotional bond with. The psychedelic influence upon science and philosphy is even a step higher, because it shows utility in these substances. This is important as society become more modernized and looks for work power in everything. But what is really of the utmost importance is proving the safety of these substances, especially psychologically. I can't tell you how many people think that if you do psychelics for long enough, you'll go crazy. Well, I'm sure you all know this, but that is the largest hurdle for us to overcome. This means we fight an uphill battle since the last testing done with psychedelics was in the 70's. And most of that was government testing meant to induced psychosis and fear.

This is a big task my friends, but it is our task. If we really believe in what we are doing, then we will stand up and fight the good fight. It is undeniable that psychedelics have had a very positive influence on our lives and society as a whole. We need to paint a picture for the masses. Paint over the graffiti and terror that was brought upon us by the government four decades ago. We have a long journey ahead of us to achieve our goal. We might not even achieve it in our lifetime. But if what we are doing truly is right, than we are unstoppable if we fly under the banner of freedom. Because freedom is something that everyman should have, and no one would say otherwise.
 
I am very much behind you on this!

You MUST buy the book "Zig-Zag Zen" for this project! Especially read the article called "Psychedelics- A high history in America! It's just amazing the insights! It REALLY makes you feel like you were alive in the 60s! A GREAT book!!!

I think you need to strictly define the difference between psychedelics and drugs, or people won't go for it!
 
Excellent Coatl. Any books that have resources I can use are much appreciated. It will probably take a while to compile enough information to make something worthy of note, so anything that you guys can think of, just pile it on here.
 
Graham Hancock's "Supernatural" would be a good book to include. Certainly got me thinking about this stuff anyway, in the context of our 'ancient teachers'. Also his research points to 'altered states' which can be achieved through means other than psychedelics (e.g. trance dance, body pain, fasting) i.e. that it is the altered state itself that is important not necessarily the means to get there.

There is a LOT of knee-jerk reactionary crap that needs to be dealt with in order for something like this to get through. For every 50 positive stories there will be at least one horror story, usually due to irresponsibility or carelessness. Unfortunately, with our media being the way it is, those few horror stories will strike a strong chord with our fear-led society and it is these stories that seem to end up resulting in ridiculous laws. (See the recent banning of mushrooms in holland)

Now - the law is another good point. In some ways, it has a positive effect in that it limits the seekers to those determined and interested enough to research for themselves, ideally leading people to form a relationship with whatever they choose to explore. But, why are we not free to use plants that grow out of the ground to explore ourselves and our universe?? I think much of it is to do with the world-view held by the majority of people in the west, that physical reality is all there is, the illusion of seperation etc. I think a change in attitude toward psychedelics would go hand in hand with a shift in world-view/conciousness. In western mainstream culture it is seen that: "Drugs" are "ab"-used in order to get "high". How contrasting is that with some of the south american traditions in which a "medicine" from a "plant" is used to "heal" and gain insights/knowledge. The question is how to shift from a fear-based attitude to one with love and objectivity.
 
I think some people get the massive digression that spirituality is one's connection with the almighty God of creation. That is a misinterpretation and it is really quite simple, in my opinion.
- Spirituality
[*]the quality or fact of being spiritual.
- Spiritual
[*]of or relating to the mind or intellect.

Our thought process and the marvels we have created do not predominantly manifest its righteousness over the rest of nature. It simply is used as a tool to create, innovate, and to experience the good & bad. No more important than how advanced a Robins nest has evolved through time.

Even though some may claim use of these substances that derive from the earth as recreational, your use will never be put out of spiritual context. However, I do believe this is where bad trips derive from, and that is a mode of difference between the individual and global awareness, other than how deeply the insecurities of individuality has stricken. This is where the sensible remind to let go of pride and let the material take its course.

It's quite saddening and bludgeoning to the soul as we revel in an underground cult community, which I do think is the best route onto our endeavors. The idea of globalization is a painful thought, however heartbreaking that may sound, I just cannot trust a lot of people whom are surrounded by ignorance. Once at the precipice, when these substances are deemed malicious, whos going to listen as people are submissive to the uneducated biased media when it comes to plant substances? This is why maximization will not be to our benefit, such as media attention like that crazy NeuroSoup chick or... Joe Rogan. Anyone sensible to find whatever sources they need to experience the enhancement. Another thing, the government has the power to regulate all drugs, but that is a direct attack to the conformed. This is where science will take its part to the informed with a voice, which I put my full thoughts and trust in. Remember, as much as we need these in our culture, we just as much dont need them..

The Brazilian government as well as our own government has granted access to its native entheogen for sacramental use, and by no means does that take an individual into Valhalla, or whatever. These shamans do protect their values as their ways in connection with God, but that is their culture carried through the ages which they have to protect with the will of sanctity otherwise it would have turned into the mess we have in the U.S. or the U.K. .. They don't use it as an imperial way to spread the word of 'Allah' through mass terror and power.

One day we will have an empire, grazed with spirituality and the damnedest chemists with unlimited capacity to government funding, a direct source of studies and income.. ah, that sounds nice...

:)
 
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