Terrifying experiences?

[K.J]

This is specifically for Daniel, but anyone can chime in with their personal feelings.

Would you say that some of your experiences were terrifying? In the book, although some of the descriptions sounded terrifying, I don't recall you ever explicitly saying that you were scared during any of your experiences.

If some of them were terrifying, did it ever make you consider never partaking of entheogens again?

I have personally had a few nearly terrifying experiences, and it has made me very cautious before embarking on any future experiences. I can always feel myself at the edge of terror when I partake of any entheogen. It's a good thing though; it engenders a very healthy respect for these substances.

Peace,

Jeremy

[daniel]

I think McKenna says somewhere that fear is a good sign, it means you are actually challenging yourself, and stepping over a threshold.

I am still, myself, wondering if psychedelics are not an endpoint but rather a way-station in spiritual development - for Westerners anyway. I think of course there might be a small group of people who really choose certain substances as their "ally" and their path (especially for healing and working with elementals for planetary aide). I sense that for me they may be a way-station. One reason for that is fear - but not the main reason. It is more that once you have seen the possibilities of reaching these states, it seems like it would be far more amazing to reach them and master them without any outside aids. As i have said in other posts, that is what the alchemists tried to do.

About fear and terror generally, i think we have to become inoculated against them - we actually have to go through them to the point where death ceases to be a big concern. Our whole media system has become a fear machine, generating insane anxiety for no good purpose. The atmosphere is vibrating with madness and terror and the possibility of mass-death. In this climate, the only sensibIe reaction is to overcome all fear. I am interested in self-training that leads to a sense of real fearlessness - as Trungpa discusses in Shambhala, or the concept of the Chod practice in Tibetan Buddhism.

[K.J]

Daniel: "About fear and terror generally, i think we have to become inoculated against them"

Agreed. For me, entheogens (and other experiences in my life) have helped me let go of my fears surrounding life - and death.

Daniel: "I am still, myself, wondering if psychedelics are not an endpoint but rather a way-station in spiritual development - for Westerners anyway."

I'm not sure I understand your apparent need to separate us "Westerners" from every other human being; but maybe I'm misinterpreting you. It seems to me that you are almost invalidating the spiritual aspects of entheogenic experience for "Westerners".

I feel that entheogens are an important tool on my spiritual path. I strongly feel that some entheogens are my ally on this journey.

Peace,

Jeremy

[daniel]

Jeremy,

You write: "I feel that entheogens are an important tool on my spiritual path. I strongly feel that some entheogens are my ally on this journey."

No disagreement there - that is what my whole book is about!

[daniel]

Jeremy,

The question here is not are they useful tool and allies - but how ultimately to use them and not get used by them. (have you checked out my book? Read the chapter "Do you take responsibility?" and the conclusion).

You might want to contribute to the earlier discussion on 'how to use these tools?"

[K.J]

I've read your book thoroughly, and I reread the chapter "Do you take responsibility?" and its conclusion. I agree that there needs to be much discussion and contemplation on using these substances to their fullest positive good.

Your book is a wonderful start for many. I didn't feel like you either condoned or condemned the exploration of entheogens. Like you said in an earlier post, sometimes the best way to approach the subject is to simply tell your truth and experiences while forgoing judgment either way.

Would you say that's a good assessment of the overall advice of your book?

Jeremy