Concerning the Abyss of darkness - substance use

 A sect of Hindu holy men called the Naga babas, and Aghoris smoke cannabis, use other mind-altering substances, and even drink alcohol as part of their spiritual practice. These substances, known as sacraments, open the mind to new influences, weaken the body, and train the will and focus. By consuming and overcoming these "poisons," one is believed to develop the strength and determination to face the world's challenges.

Among the Naga babas, smoking cannabis from a traditional pipe called chillum is considered so vital that it takes precedence over other spiritual practices such as prayer, mantra repetition, and meditation. In spiritual training, even young initiates can smoke as much as they like as long as they fulfill their responsibilities and duties. However, it is not a time for leisure or laziness; the point is to work through the substance's effects and develop self-control.

I experienced the use of mind-altering substances as part of my spiritual training with my guru. During the Kumbh Mela festival, he prescribed 30-40 chillum hits of cannabis per day for me, in addition to other practices. This was not for recreational purposes but to push me to develop my will and mental clarity. He even removed his protective mantra (a psychic shield) as I progressed in my training. And applied additional psychic and mental pressure through his actions and mantras, mocking my struggles to maintain clarity. Despite heavily using these substances, he remained awake and vital at 68.

I've discovered that utilizing mind-altering substances may be quite helpful for shedding restrictive viewpoints and beliefs, opening up fresh ways of looking at reality, and challenging deeply rooted false mainstream notions.

I have encountered this in my spiritual practice, and the "Teaching of Don Juan" book series also looks into it.

Don Juan, a character in these volumes, challenges Carlos Castaneda's perceptions of reality and teaches him what power is by using various techniques and substances.

Working with a guru or utilizing particular techniques or substances are just a few of the many factors that can quicken our development and move us closer to our objectives.

It's crucial to understand that substances are limited in their ability to advance us.

Authentic self-mastery and worldly comprehension demand persistent effort and the readiness to undergo difficult personal change.

Drugs like Datura, commonly called the "devil's weed," can give users brief feelings of power and give them a glimpse of reality's many facets.

However, it's crucial to remember that these experiences come at a price and don't always reflect our strength or our perception of reality.

Instead, they might inspire us to progressively increase our strength and reconsider how we view the world.

We must approach these substances cautiously and avoid overusing them in our spiritual practice.

The visions and messages they convey are not stable or durable in daily life. Thus, it is crucial to remember that mind-altering substances are unreliable guides to spiritual truth.

It is essential to have a clear mind in order to converse clearly with the spirit realm.

It's a good idea to steer clear of making decisions based on your experiences while using these substances because those memories might not hold up to sober reflection.

More trustworthy spiritual communication channels lie in dreams and other forms of divination, such as tarot reading.

Mind-altering substances such as LSD, psylocibin and mescaline should be used responsibly, and giving yourself time to process and integrate the experiences is crucial.

The ultimate objective of spiritual practice is the transcendence of ordinary perception and the steady growth of spiritual strength and illumination (called muni).

This can be achieved through persistent effort and a readiness to pursue personal growth.

The ability to accomplish these aims, however, may be impacted by one's unique circumstances. Concentrating on transcending false beliefs, disempowering patterns, and limiting mental constructs rather than pursuing ascension may be a more appropriate path for a practitioner seeking to master the world.

There was a period of my practice when I prepared myself through rigorous kriya yoga for ascension.

Adding to that, stopped eating, barely drinking, and no sleeping while engaging in Aghori practice at the crematorium grounds by the Ganga. I was surrounded by Sadhus and Aghoris, who encouraged and assisted me in this process.

Yet after two and a half weeks, my discontent escalated to the extent that I understood ascension was not intended for me at this moment.

The process of quitting cold turkey was so challenging and devastating that

I needed a year to get my composer back and another two years to fully recover.

In the process, my "shut," or shadow/mold body, burned out, which is necessary for ascension. Luckily, my background in martial arts, my self-control, and my firm will allowed me to hold on and eventually heal.

I realized that my goal is to "decent" or perfect my physical body and mind in order to manifest everything I am in this world, rather than to pursue ascension or transcend the lies and shackles of society.

I began to aspire to be a grandmaster of the world and a living embodiment of the dragon.

My motto for achieving transcendence is simple:

'I,’ transcend 'that' bullshit, Hance! I am transcendent.

It is evident that mind-altering drugs and behaviors, such as smoking chillum and consuming datura, play their part in spiritual evolution and provide a window into alternate realities.

It is crucial to remember that these substances and techniques should be approached alongside psychological development, with investigation in mind, and with plenty of common sense.

The spiritual journey requires constant effort, self-transformation, and the guidance of a reputable teacher who can mirror you and guide you through and back again to prevent harm.

It is also essential to approach these procedures cautiously and be aware of potential risks and hazards.