Drug and God

[zenzero]

Friends,
In a Dir response found the following:

The Quran forbids the use of intoxicants as revealed by Allah in Surah 5:93.

"Surah 5:93
93. O you who believe!
Intoxicants and gambling,
(Dedication) of stones,
And (divination by) arrows,
Are an abomination, -
Of Satan’ handiwork:
Eschew such (abomination)
That you may prosper.

94. Satan’s plan is (but)
To excite enmity and hatred
Between you, with intoxicants
And gambling, and hinder you
From the remembrance
Of Allah, and from prayer:
Will you not then abstain? "

Here it is not clear as to who is *SATAN*.

It is understood that the MIND itself which perceives is the *SATAN* as what is beyond perception is what *GOD* is and mind is that which is never free from perception and so all paths,/way/religions provide ways/paths to transcend the MIND to be in a state where one is free from perception and one with existence.

Next, normally intoxicants disorients the minds of many who are unable to handle it but in many cultures MEDITATORS use such intoxicants to transcend their minds as it helps in deep meditation.

If anything is improper; why should it be created by God?
Yes, everything is useful for a purpose and knowing its proper use is most important and when followers are not educated to such an understanding a master cannot offhand allow such misunderstanding to be carried out and to avoid it most masters suggests not to use intoxicants is the understanding.

Your views.

 

[BruceDLimber]

If anything is improper; why should it be created by God?

Obviously, some things have other uses!

For example, marijuana (aka "hemp") can be used to make rope.

And many drugs, such as nightshade and foxglove/digitalis have useful medicanal properties when properly used!

Simple as that.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[no-body]

I can think of several theories; perhaps it was a way for Islam to distance itself from the pagan religions that used shamanistic practices? God should need no intermediary to reveal himself to you after all if all powerful.

Maybe Mohammed saw the effects of intoxicants on individuals as making it more difficult to proselytize to them? Ditto gambling, I'm sure even back then there where people who had addictions and stood out in everyone's minds.

On a personal level, I believe drugs are neither good nor bad and can be a tool for a change of consciousness but should not be relied on as any shortcut brings inherent risks. It can be a foot in the door for those with very strong egos.

 

[zenzero]

Friend BL,

Exactly!

Love & rgds

 

[zenzero]

Friend no-body,

Exactly what have been trying to convey.

On a personal level had started using marijuana for kicks but found it useful for meditation and realised why meditators were and are using it and today hardly ever touch them and still able to meditate @ anytime!

Love & rgds

 

[Muhktar]

The way that I see it, everything has a good side and bad side. Drugs which are intoxicating do have their uses depending on the individual drug and circumstances etc, however the bad of these, in my opinion, outweighs the good.
For example, alcohol is a great drug for being social with friends and relaxing of an evening and just having a good time. However when you look at all the alcohol related violence in bars, pubs and clubs, in combination with alcohol fuelled sexual assault, driving accidents, unfaithfulness etc, then can you see how all these glassings, rape incidents and deaths on the road are not worth a 'good time' with friends? Of course all of these things still happen without drinking, however it is proven to be often fuelled by alcohol intoxication.
You don't need to drink to have a good time, there are other ways. There are also other examples for other drugs.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Muhktar,
Thank you and appreciate your view which is more balanced.
Let us understand that good/bad are relative words and balance is what each individual has to find and maintain.
We cannot have the day without nights and vice versa; while in most countries the sun is worshiped as it helps in chlorophyll as that is what feeds them for their survival while the same sun is not welcome in the deserts where people eagerly await the moon to show itself so that they can have some peace to live after the long and hot day trying to find means to avoid the sun and so the moon is worshiped there.
Both the good and bad are relative to each other and both are necessary to maintain balance as anyone never needs any balance.

Love & rgds

 

[Cain]

Mankind has been using drugs (particularly psychedelics) to enable a religious experience from the time of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and India.

Distancing your religion from pagan beliefs, as mentioned earlier, is certainly one reason that it is forbidden among some religions, another reason I would consider is that of psychological control and the not permitting of revelatory experiences outside of its Belief Center.

 

[Muhktar]

Yes good answer, balance is necessary in my opionion. But i believe it has to be done the right way. I will balance my entertainment and leisure with a good movie or book, rather than drinking.

A reason I like my religion is because wotshipping Allah is universal, it doesn't matter if the sun or moon is what brings the better part of my day, Allah is there no matter the circumstances.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Cain,

Appreciate your well expressed understanding of the issue for as you have mentioned that the *diktat* is essential to keep people within that *belief* zone and not to experience outside it for the fear of losing control.

If one was to go deep into the mind where * psychologist* can never reach for once they reach they cannot remain mere *psychologist* is through meditation and where all enlightened people reach then the understanding develops that karma is what matters and there is nothing as good or bad, it is balance and taking of intoxicants to still the mind is helpful towards enlightenment and not by indulging in activities of the mind.
This is where the divide comes between dharmic and abrahamic religions as dharmic religions leaves it to the individual to choose, act and then seek balance for himself whereas abrahamic ones are still wary of the mind's losing control though without losing control seeking balance is immaterial.
Thank you friends for your posts.
LOve & rgds

 

[Father Heathen]

This man had some interesting theories regarding psychedelics and god: Terence McKenna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Cain]

Em hotep Zenzero,

Very true what you said. I find many correlations between Eastern / Vedic religions and Luciferianism, the biggest being that of Self and the Individual.

A strong theme in Tantrism is the rejection of the caste system, the principle of Svecchacharya (to act according to one's own will) and Puja. To use ritual (whether or not drug enhanced) to make contact with the higher states of being.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Father Heathen,

Thanks for that link!

Love & rgds

 

[zenzero]

Em hotep brother Cain,

Yes, finally IT is all in oneness and not two, but paths are just different and it is mainly the mind which individually each one finally has to transcend to be enlightened.

Love & rgds

 

[Cain]

zenzero,

How would you explain the Left Hand Path?