Voidmatrix wrote:
I'm very much in agreement with you and this is largely what I was alluding to in my initial response.
If we observe the behavior of people, we csn notice a strong drive to "know" and to be right while at the same time needing to be told what we should know and be right about without any analysis, assessment, or exploration of the ideals in question. Religion can help many find direction, peace of mind, inner security, etc. But any proponent of any religion that approaches their practice in an absolutist manner (which is a great many) seem be drastically "missing the mark."
This makes me think about the incessant and adamant need for people to go to South America to do Aya, stating they want an authentic experience, as if the way it's done in South America is the only right way. There can be more than one right way, evidenced by different Ayahuasceros having different approaches to their practices. So why is the experience I have secluded in my room any less "authentic?" Again, these entheogens exist outside our paradigms of their usage.
And I'm not admonishing those that have gone to South America to have these experiences. What I've mentioned may not have occured to them, considering the copious input data we receive in this existence. Many may have just felt more comfortable with some direction.
These things are reasons why in my guidework practice I try to teach my clients autonomy in these experiences.
One love
i completely agree. i had a friend who did not want to try DMT until he went to south america and did it the "authentic" way. i managed to convince him otherwise and he seems very happy with his decision.
i see the same, that a lot of people look for guidance and maybe those people need it, it certainly seems to help those people greatly, but that does not mean others cannot guide themselves, or each other, locally.
even this forum can be a great replacement for a shaman! i have never had the "authentic" experience so maybe i am wrong, but i have gained so much and grown so much regardless of not having that guidance.
<3