Thoughts on having been high, being high

Recent posts from PrOne420, Cherokee Mist, and others raise a question something along the lines of … so, you got high and high and high and then it got to be not high and even more than a bad trip or a freakout; you got right up to the edge or maybe over the edge and now what? Or like Codmouse, feeling that drugs have maybe run their course or lost their magic. Here are some thoughts, based on experience in a place like that (PrOne’s) and offered humbly and with love:

Understand that others have been in that place and though it’s new and terrible and new territory for you, others really have gotten through it. That’s small comfort, I know, when you’re in a bad place, but it is true.

Get serious about acid-testing things. If you’re doing something that won’t pass the acid test (being unkind, doing work that’s dishonest, being wasteful, etc.) then begin turning away from those things. If you’re doing something that will pass the acid test (being kind, doing work that’s honest and meaningful, being aware, etc.) then begin turning more toward those things. At least for me, sainthood is impossible, but I can testify that it’s possible to be and do better now than then.

The job thing is a challenge. Work is a huge chunk of time in life. I can’t go into detail here, but I can say that I had to go back to school for 3 years to get started in my life’s work. There’s so much to do – helping others, following one’s bliss (Jos. Campbell), growing, baking, building, creating, solving problems – the list goes on and on. And some people even have veteran’s benefits for education!

Like the song says, hear the old prayers, find the wise players. Through millennia and all humankind we’ve turned in tough times to God, faith, religion, ritual, prayer, and so on. Many of us here on this forum have had true visions, revelations – experiences beyond faith, yet there is something there in church or synagogue or temple. Buddhism and Christianity are central in my faith and practice, but there are many roads. I’d be careful about my way is the only way-type belief systems.

Other stuff: Exercise 4-5 days/week, eat well (but feast now and then, too), stop smoking, go backpacking, call your parents and tell them you love them (if you do) or just hello (if you just cannot say "love"), volunteer (abused children, working on NP trails, community gardens – again, the list goes on and on and on), be more honest with yourself and others, just a little kinder – so many good things to do, to be.

 

Fucking amazing. I really like this post quite a bit. It makes me feel like there is more. Kind of motivating! I like your mind I especially like your idea about the backpacking. Any advice on how to get into that? (kinda like how I would give someone this site and a source to get into psychs). That seems like a great idea. Esp. with your sig pic, take a tent

Love you liquid. I like you you "thought outside of the box" like I was looking for in m thread. How old are you?

 

right on

 

liquid, I like your perspective. Please continue to share it with people.

 

Thanks Codmouse. Your words are good to read. I’m 65, and from where I am, seeing all you young people here – Talk about a road less-traveled! I’m wishing all of you safe journeys and secure harbors.

Backpacking is something I did when I was young. A few years ago I saw a photo my son took of an alpine lake above timberline in the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado. I realized I wanted to be back up there, but I’d been away so long I didn’t know much. I hooked up with the Sierra Club and went on one of their backpacking trips. The people in charge were jerks, but the leader of my group was definitely cool and I had some interesting things happen, like getting wet and cold and very tired, climbing a small mountain, and good times with some of the people. I also had a transcendental thing happen when I saw and talked with a mountain lion at pretty close quarters (I was the one doing talking). After that I was ready to go. So far, the Wind Rivers in WY (photo below) has been the best for me.

I just offered some of these things as examples. I think the main thing is the acid test: Is what I’m doing and the way I’m living true to the visions and wisdom we’ve known? There are any number of compromises and outright failures, but generally speaking, the direction is hopefully true.

 

Im feelin what your saying man. We cant get lazy and become sure of things. Must always keep an open mind, and allow the love to flow.

 

wonderful.