I never spend money on drugs - that is what friends are for.

Your system may be hard to break, but trust me, I can find something that will have you chasing the dragon forever. Everyone can be broken.

Psychedelics, and LSD in particular are a different animal than many other types of drugs. The danger, IMO, comes not from risk of dependency (very, very weak physical addictive properties) or spending too much money, but from things people aren't prepared for in their own subconscious.

IMO, much of the same knowledge can be gained in other ways, psychedelics are a kind of short cut.

Meditation, extreme hardship (physical or mental), education, travel, and adventure, or even intensive reasoning.

These are a few of the ways.

From what I have read, many Buddhists criticize use of psychedelics in the pursuit of spiritual truths precisely because it is a shortcut from meditation, and the knowledge gained isn't as complete.


I would consider much of my own use of psychedelics to have components of meditation, intensive reasoning and mental hardship. The way I see it, the chemicals facilitated the process. Generally speaking, I don't shun shortcuts in this sense, especially if the path is to be traversed repeatedly. You get a better lay of the land if you wander off the beaten path here and there, IMO.

So, taking psychedelics is like a quick enlightenment that never sticks. Interesting.

So it's the same?

I'll agree. Using psychedelics can be dangerous. Not only in risk of poor decisions while under the influence, and monetary cost, but also in the long term effects. There is no denying that the massive use of psychedelic chemicals from my youth has had a profound effect on the way I think. Some effects are negative, but I see a net positive. I don't claim it's safe, or for everyone. For me they have outlived their usefulness as tools.


I won't argue with the befuddlement, but there is much to learn from that befuddlement. Clarity and noise are relative. I personally have derived great value from utter confusion, it gave me a reference point to clarity.

I see the similarity between meditation and tripping as peering into yourself. Gaining a better understanding about how you, and your mind interact with reality. Both lead to questioning of the status quo, and both have come under fire at different times (although, legally it's much easier to justify a ban on psychedelics) from the established system.

Ultimately, meditation is a much more sustainable way, but I would not discount the value of the psychedelic experience.

HST, I thought of posting that one myself actually.

He had a tendency to tell it like it was, I have a lot of respect for that. I really appreciate his writing because he doesn't overlook danger, and realizes the inherent value and comedy in it.