It’s been over 10 years since I’ve touched DMT (or any psychedelic) when I was still just a teenager. In that time I have spent much of my life reflecting, integrating, and deepening my search for answers through philosophy and inner-work. I feel it is my duty, as is all of ours, to sincerely work for the best in others, especially those who are genuinely looking for Truth, and to save them from falling afoul of potential hazards on their trip up the mountain.
Upon reflection I think many would agree that perhaps the wider psychedelic community has been too eager to embrace DMT as some sort of panacea to personal or collective troubles, or that it will solve the big questions in ones own life. It’s like the lessons of the 60’s have been largely ignored. Now that it has penetrated the mainstream I feel compelled to speak up and throw my hat in because, in my opinion, there are real dangers with using DMT (and psychedelics generally) that get brushed aside by the hedonistic and care-free impulses, especially in the younger folk who think they are largely immortal and who are the most at risk. One of these dangers happens to be almost the focal point of the whole DMT experience – entities. I’m going to write up in the entities thread when I become a full member on that topic in particular. Interestingly I found a post in this thread, by ‘litrium’, that mirrors very closely what happened to me on one of my trips.
DMT is akin to jumping into the middle of an ocean when you’ve only just learned how to tread water. You are out of your domain and subject to laws, creatures, and perceptions that are ordinarily shielded from you, by nature, for your own protection. I’m not convinced that even the Shamans know what they are doing and are potentially being played like fiddles in a lot of cases. A few users in here have already suggested they are reluctant to pass on this knowledge of DMT to others, and I think that is wise choice - ‘To little children you must remain silent.’
Not all progress is progress, and I think the wider psychedelic community should re-evaluate its position, at least from a serious mental health standpoint – we know about as much as the professional psychiatrists.. mostly nothing. We’ve jumped out to sea and not everyone has come back in one piece. It’s easy to say it will never happen to me, or dismiss the existence of entities and real psychological affects they can produce, or even just assume you will be able to just come back to ordinary reality with your previous state of mind after seeing some funky stuff. Too often, and I see it here on the forum, the advice is ‘seek professional help’, as if our materialistic psychological system is now somehow a complete psychological system that can save and cure. I’m not saying one shouldn’t consult an expert or doctor, just be aware that they do not have all the answers. Even a cursory investigation into the field of psychology, which everyone should do before taking any substance, will reveal to you just how little they really understand and how much they wing it when it comes to remedies and therapies. I can’t underscore that point enough. If you end up with monkeys on your back as a result of using substances, you may well be on your own in regards to finding a cure. No one wants to hear the horror stories, the reality, the statistics, because it might interfere with the fun and games, but we are lying to ourselves and to others by choosing to omit that information. That is why threads like this are vitally important, people who’ve been there and gotten a few scars, but survived, and can widen our understanding.
DMT, like all psychedelics, has the potential to uproot a lot of ego structures. You often hear affirmative statements about destroying the ego and similar, but if your ego is the only thing holding you up it is not necessarily wise to seek to uproot it. Real inner-work takes physical and mental adjustments, so that egos can be dropped or taken from you at the right time. People are not equal, we are all at a different stage of ripening, and turning all people on to substances is reckless behaviour. If you haven’t developed the discernment to know if someone should use a substance you probably shouldn’t be using any yourself.
There’s little I can say to stop anyone using it. It’s not my place to do so anyway. All I would say is if you are determined to use it, use it properly and follow the guidance offered on the forum.
Finally, DMT is a mental vision, a projection. So is the ‘real’ world. Truth is where you are, now. You don’t need to ingest anything to find the answer.
though...
