On 17 Jul 2001 12:31:03 -0700, hexs@hexs.net (Ben) wrote:

Ben: Mind altering substances have been used for thousands of years to understand spirituality. In fact, most religions today have a large foundation on such. Especially the eastern ones, buddhism, Hinduism and as many theories say, Buddha himself died from eating a poisonous mushroom.
InkyPinkie: Manipulating everything for one's own purpose is part of the survival game of all alive systems. It doesn't matter if this is against the interest of other
beings or even one's own growing process. What wants to survive is the individual entity, being 'spiritual' is a sophisticated trick. Altering substances are part of this game. You will be doing and saying crazy things and draw the attention of other people at you. Then you can tell them things which will challenge them, of course with a good mixture what they like to hear. You will gather enough disciples around you to feel good being a master. It helps to create a split to the actual society, the feeling of being special makes it exciting and fighting against something else strengthens one's own position, even suffering will become a pleasure! 

Ben: I would not recommend venturing into the chemical realms, but etheogens have always been popular, especially those that mother nature provides.
InkyPinkie: One can be pretty sure that what is 'popular' is part of a most primitive survival game. Making it more acceptable by calling it 'natural' and saying that 'mother nature' provides it is the old worn out argument of hippies and drug edicts. If those common arguments doesn't convince, then calling famous personalities on the plan will probably do it. Make people feel like children, give them some attention, feed them some truth and they will follow you... Your post is a good example for this, thank you.

BeiYin: What you write about manipulation is indeed part of the survival game. It is an
unconscious behavior of all individuals, which causes much harm to everything around and to the whole planet. This can only change when people become aware of their 'games' and get to know what's all about their 'personality'. Information is available who ask for it. The problem is that 'personality' usually is a pretty rigid system which allows only to receive information which confirms the existing structure but not what could make it transparent. There is a long way to go before people are open for self knowledge...
From your writing I sense intensity and also some desperation, which is understandable. Your straight way to express yourself might not attract people to respond. To find out more about your way to deal with life and one's personal disaster. But maybe we can come to a discussion about it and other people can participate in a creative way...