Quote:
Originally Posted by BringTheDarkness  Carlos Castaneda would probably disagree with this lol.
Shamans world-wide use psychedelic drugs as a learning tool.
Of course there are two caveats:
#1 They actually know what they are doing, unlike most people and
#2 They use the drugs in controlled fashion. i.e. Someone is always sober and guiding the user.
I don't use them myself because I don't have any knowledgeable shamans in close proximity...Plus, my meditations/experiences are strange enough without drugs.
BTD |
My teacher studied with Castenada. I guess that makes me a "Grandstudent" of his and a Great Grandstudent of Don Juan Matus.
I think Castenada would disagree with
you. First of all, Shamans don't use "drugs". They ask for and allow their spirits to be guided by the spirits of certain sacred herbs, plants and animals - Allies.
They do this in a very respectful and humble way. The process is extremely specific and individual to each Ally you are seeking aid from.
To the Shaman and Sorcerer, ALL things have Spirits. They all have energy and are a part of The Great Mystery. As Humans, we have the unique ability to learn and communicate with these spirits. They have a perspective that is very difficult (but not impossible) for some of us to gain on our own. But with their help, we can see things through their "eyes" and thus come to a greater understanding of the whole.
The difference between what a Shaman or Sorcerer does with Spirit Allies and what others do with drugs is the difference between slavery and alliance. It is the difference in intent.
Drug use lacks respect and understanding of the spirit of the ally you are taking into you. The very words "Drug
USE" shows what I mean.
To be properly guided by these allies, you must have Knowledge.
Castenada was given instruction over many years by Don Juan. But Carlos Castenada was not Don Juan's only student. In "Don Juan, A Yaqui Way of Knowledge", Castenada references these other students and does so in other of his books. He even quotes Don Juan as telling him that one of his (Don Juan's) other students who was more advanced than Castenada had never taken Mescalito - because he didn't NEED to.
This goes to what Erin was saying. For strong practitioners, the assistance given by some allies is unnecessary and the Medicine STOLEN from drugs is seldom, if ever, more helpful than hurtful.
Personally, I've been blessed with a level of understanding and Sight that does not require the aid of these allies and so I have never called on them.
That being said, "back in the day" I HAVE done drugs. A Trip is a very different thing than a Spiritual Journey. There is no comparison.