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PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES
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Written at the Rainbow Gathering, Bunoo Bunoo, NSW, in April 2000
Published in "Tribe" magazine issue 12, April 2000
On a post-it note on my computer there's been a reminder for months: Write a drug article for "Tribe". The inspiration finally came at the Rainbow Gathering where I participated in a circle to discuss the shamanic use of substances. As we shared our journeys, mistakes and joys a theme emerged and did not pass. It is the need for re-education in the use of psychoactive substances, meaning those substances that affect our perceptions and states of consciousness . We need to re-invent rituals for human evolution, spiritual development and awareness, and we need experienced, educated, empathic guides to assist people with their transformation and self-empowerment flowing from the use of the appropriate substances.
Plants and humans have co-evolved for many millenia. Their effects upon each other are not random, but result from a biological and spiritual dialogue for the mutual benefit and development of each. The psychoactive substances originating from plants are gifts for us that can be used well or badly, with intent or with ignorance. They are like sharp tools that need to be used with appropriate preparation and respect.
"And then the Big Raven said: 'Let the agaric remain on Earth and let my people see what it will show them'". Like the Koryak of Siberia for whom the ultimate divinity is in the form of the Big Raven, and the psychoactive mushroom its teaching tool for humanity, traditional people all over the world have used plant substances with the necessary preparation and respect. Over long periods of time they have sorted out the dangers and the advantages and developed practical ways of maximizing the benefits while reducing the risks. All the methods involve ritual. All involve education with experienced guides. All involve intention to enhance wisdom, seek healing, resolve conflict, improve communication and other expansive goals. They are rarely used carelessly or flippantly for recreation alone. Recreation is fine; we all need uncomplicated joy, but at least a little personal truth-seeking and awareness before the journey will enhance the benefits of the experience.
We cannot all go and sit in the Amazon with a tribal shaman who takes us on a substance-mediated journey, or on a hill in Asia with a guru and a well-filled pipe. For each person who is able to do these kinds of things there are millions of lost and shattered people seeking answers alone and unguided, making many serious mistakes and coming to the wisdom they seek by roads unnecessarily difficult and dangerous.
So at the Rainbow we decided to start walking our talk right now, to begin the process of re-creating rituals for the beneficial use of psychoactive substances and exchanging the ideas and knowledge with the world family by word of mouth, internet, film, or whatever medium best carries each of our voices. So if anything I have written strikes a chord within you, join in and add your energy, love and wisdom to the vision.
from Suranga April 2000
Some quotes from circle participants:
(Quotes are fully the responsibility of their owners)
"Drugs are a tool to be used when we become stuck in the belief that all we see is all there is" - Mukunda
"Amplifying the interconnectedness of all beings" - Kalaya
"As human beings we need to move forward by moving backwards, returning to the planet, its plants and its healing powers" - Ray Thorpe
"Drugs are for use. Define mis-use. Your heart knows the truth so if you stick something in your mooth do it with respect for yourself. Be kind to yourself. You deserve it" - Scottish Martin
"Whenever you take mind-altering substances be sure to use the energy: dance, think, feel or giggle, but don't sit in the corner feeling fearful" - Amber
"so the Dominator culture's last attempt ot stop threatening new ways of thinking is to arrest people running ayahuasca rituals and threaten them with 7 to 15 years in jail. Despite this people continue to drink this Amazonian Shamanic brew which contains DMT. Keep listening for shares in a Foundation in the Amazon in Ecuador. Plan is to buy 1000 hectares on the edge of a National Park with the idea to preserve it and eventually have a Rainbow Gathering there in a couple of years" - Dean
A READING LIST
"Entheogens and the Future of Religion" by Robert Forte et.al. 1997; Council on Spiritual Practices; ISBN: 1889725013
"Flesh of the Gods : The Ritual Use of Hallucinogens" by Peter T. Furst
1990; Waveland Press; ISBN: 0881334774
"Food of the Gods : The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge : A
Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution" by Terence McKenna,1993; Bantam Doubleday Dell Pub; ISBN: 0553371304
"From Chocolate to Morphine : Everything You Need to Know About
Mind-Altering Drugs" by Andrew Weil, Winifred Rosen 1998; Houghton Mifflin Co; ISBN: 0395911524
"Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers" by Richard Evans Schultes, Albert Hofmann; Inner Traditions Intl Ltd; ISBN: 0892814063
"Psychedelic Shamanism : The Cultivation, Preparation and Shamanic Use of Psychotropic Plants" by Jim Dekorne 1998; Breakout Productions Inc; ISBN: 0966693256
"Psychedelics Encyclopedia" by Peter Stafford, Jeremy Bigwood 1992; Ronin Publishing; ISBN: 0914171518
"The Archaic Revival : Speculations on Psychedelic Mushrooms, the Amazon, Virtual Reality, Ufos, Evolution, Shamanism, the Rebirth of the Goddess" by Terence K. McKenna, Satty (Illustrator), Tom Robbins 1992; Harper San Francisco; ISBN: 0062506137
"The Cosmic Serpent : DNA and the Origins of Knowledge" by Jeremy Narby 1998; J P Tarcher; ISBN: 0874779111
"The Natural Mind : An Investigation of Drugs and the Higher Consciousness" by Andrew Weil 1998; Houghton Mifflin Co; ISBN: 0395911567
"The sacred mushroom and the cross; a study of the nature and origins of Christianity within the fertility cults of the ancient Near East" by John Marco Allegro; ASIN: 0340128755 (This title is out of print)