I have heard different opinions that sometimes we may experience different (meaning more advanced) levels of awareness when our mind is altered by various substances. For sure, we can get interesting experiences under influence, but will those experiences really help us achieve new levels of awareness?
I don’t believe that real self-awareness achievable by seeing life with a drugged (drunk) mind. In my opinion, self-awareness is related to the ability to hear the voice of our inner wisdom. It’s hard for me to believe that it can be heard by an altered mind.
Although I have to admit, some substances may give us certain clarity, when our fears and uncertainty are removed as an effect of substance consumption, it may be only temporary effect, and there is a huge risk of addiction that itself is not compatible with a state of awareness.
I believe that there is not a single (drug/alcohol/etc) experience that is worth having as a reason to achieving new levels of self-consciousness. I am not trying to say that there is a point for any other reason, I am completely anti-drugs at all times. But in case you thought that in small doses substance abuse may be good for your spiritual development, I strongly disagree.
We never know how our minds and bodies will react to even small dosages. I was about to say “of innocent drugs”, but then I just fought myself about saying it, because there is no such thing. In my world all drugs are evil. We can not know for sure the damage drugs do to our bodies and minds. We may discover ourselves hooked to something we thought to be “light” or “harmless”.
On the contrary, I believe that if awareness is being achieved while in a clear, uninfluenced state of mind, it may be more difficult, but at the same time the achieved result will be much more stable and will contain no risk of body/mind harm.
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