Datura Question/Clarification

[postmodernennui]

I have the following question: On page 202 of Breaking Open the Head, I read the story of Douglas, who not knowing the ramifactions, had eaten a good deal of Datura. About 6 years ago, I too, ignorantly partook a small amount of Datura seeds not understanding the power of implications of the plant. I remember little, although I felt as though I was flying. In Breaking Open the Head Douglas undergoes a cleansing ritual to rid himself of the "malicious plant spirit." My question is as follows: Is the plant spirit Datura always malicious? Or there other ways beside a Huichol cleansing to rid oneself of this spirit? I eagerly await any responses or insight.
Thanks.

[daniel]

Hi pme,

Not always malicious, no, but very powerful and difficult. As I mention, some tribes used it in initiation as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that would define the adolescent's place in the tribe permanently, so they definitely trusted it and knew how to work with it..

How long were you out for? It doesn't sound like you went out as far as Douglas.

[postmodernennui]

No, I certainly wasn't as far gone as Douglas. I remember watching my friend who had taken more Datura play chess with himself but talking to an imaginary opponent and I remember wanting to lie down. I remember enjoying lying down because I had a very real sensation I was flying. My eyes were blurry the next day and I couldn't read, but that's all I remember. Then, when reading your book, Douglas statement that his life had been okay but got better after being cleansed started me wondering, leading me to post the first message,

Also, I appreciate these excellent forums you provide and because of your book, plan on reading some Walter Benjamin (I was thinking Arcades project unless that is too much for a beginner).