Amma on marijuana (was: what does Amma say about . . .)

[Guest guest]

Namah Shivaya,

 

In 2004, I recall that someone posted notes from Amma's satsang in LA. If

memory serves me correctly, Amma said something like, since so many of Her

children use it, She'snot telling them to not use it. But, it's akin to rowing

a boat all night in the dark, only discover upon sunrise, that the boat was tied

to the dock, the entire time. I think Amma may have been inferring that it can

give the feeling of having a spiritual experince, while not giving the real

thing. My own view based on a beginner's experience, is that real spiritual

experiences, far surpass the bliss of drug induced experiences.

 

Sweta

 

Rick Archer <rick wrote: on 1/4/06 3:06 PM, *dana blu* at

danablu wrote:

 

> .. . . smoking marijuana?

> I had a friend ask me and I didn't know the answer.

 

Although she would be compassionate to those who do it, I doubt she would

approve of it, and would want people to move beyond that vice.

 

Rick

Former teenage pothead

 

 

 

 

Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

 

 

 

Mata amritanandamayi

 

 

 

 

Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web.

 

Ammachi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

I forget who told me this story, so forgive the gossipy nature of it, but once

someone (I think it was a swami, but I may be remembering incorrectly)

complained to Amma about some "hippies" smoking pot on the San Ramon ashram

grounds, and Amma said not to criticize them, it is their path. I think maybe

She was referring to the significant number of Rastafarian devotees who attend

Her programs. But in a broader sense, isn't whatever we are doing, in fact, our

path?

 

I smoked pot for years, and while I am not encouraging anyone to take it up, I

could never condemn anyone for using it. I totally get the attraction,

especially for spiritually-minded people. But I think the analogy of rowing the

tied-up boat is pretty correct, because after I quit I had to actually learn how

to relax and unwind on my own, which I'm still learning.

 

Yogi Bhajan said that smoking pot over-stimulates the ajna (3rd eye) and shuts

down anahata (heart) chakras. Conversly, he said that alchohol does the reverse.

People tend to self-medicate accordingly to "balance" these centers.

 

Neem Karoli Baba also said something like, "Smoke it only to be with Shiva.

Anything else is an escape."

 

There are sadhus all over India that ritually smoke, but who can say what their

intentions or experiences are? Perhaps some are trully "being with Shiva" and

some are merely escaping.

 

A personal reflection; I have smoked twice since I gave it up, and my experience

was that I couldn't wait for it to be over. It seems that the meditation and

grace of the Guru are really the best high for this child.

 

Happily stoned on bhakti,

 

Prajna

 

Sweta Mitzel <swetabc wrote: Namah Shivaya,

 

In 2004, I recall that someone posted notes from Amma's satsang in LA. If

memory serves me correctly, Amma said something like, since so many of Her

children use it, She'snot telling them to not use it. But, it's akin to rowing

a boat all night in the dark, only discover upon sunrise, that the boat was tied

to the dock, the entire time. I think Amma may have been inferring that it can

give the feeling of having a spiritual experince, while not giving the real

thing. My own view based on a beginner's experience, is that real spiritual

experiences, far surpass the bliss of drug induced experiences.

 

Sweta

 

Rick Archer <rick wrote: on 1/4/06 3:06 PM, *dana blu* at

danablu wrote:

 

> .. . . smoking marijuana?

> I had a friend ask me and I didn't know the answer.

 

Although she would be compassionate to those who do it, I doubt she would

approve of it, and would want people to move beyond that vice.

 

Rick

Former teenage pothead

 

 

 

 

Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

 

 

 

Mata amritanandamayi

 

 

 

Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web.

 

Ammachi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos

Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays,

whatever.

 

 

 

 

Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web.

 

Ammachi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

 

 

[Guest guest]

on 1/6/06 12:25 PM, Sweta Mitzel at swetabc wrote:

 

> Namah Shivaya,

>

> In 2004, I recall that someone posted notes from Amma's satsang in LA. If

> memory serves me correctly, Amma said something like, since so many of Her

> children use it, She'snot telling them to not use it. But, it's akin to

> rowing a boat all night in the dark, only discover upon sunrise, that the boat

> was tied to the dock, the entire time. I think Amma may have been inferring

> that it can give the feeling of having a spiritual experince, while not giving

> the real thing. My own view based on a beginner's experience, is that real

> spiritual experiences, far surpass the bliss of drug induced experiences.

 

Maharishi once said that meditating and still doing drugs is like the

elephant who washes himself in the river and then throws mud on himself when

he gets out.

[Guest guest]

OM NAMAH SIVAYA

 

it's a toxin and God is pure, so his analogy makes perfect sense.

for several years i was of the mindset that any time was the right

time when it came to ganja(red wine too). a spiritual friend of

mine suggested that i always offer it to Amma first and put my

mantra in it before comsuming, and after Siva puja, have a smoke

and sing to Siva. and since i was chemically inclined i took his

advice. any time i opened a bottle of wine i would pour some in a

small glass and offer it to Amma's picture. i would repeat my

mantra as i rolled one and offer it at Amma's feet before i smoked

it. (i would offer it up to Kali on the down low so friends wouldn't

freak out LOL) i am by no means recommending this but i can

honestly say slowly over time i lost my taste or enjoyment for wine

and ganja except maybe for an occasional tantric ceremony. i still

don't quite understand it, i guess it is part of the grace of the

guru. it's more like they left or quit me than me quitting them.

 

JAI MA

 

Ammachi, Rick Archer <rick@s...> wrote:

>

> on 1/6/06 12:25 PM, Sweta Mitzel at swetabc wrote:

>

> > Namah Shivaya,

> >

> > In 2004, I recall that someone posted notes from Amma's satsang

in LA. If

> > memory serves me correctly, Amma said something like, since so

many of Her

> > children use it, She'snot telling them to not use it. But, it's

akin to

> > rowing a boat all night in the dark, only discover upon sunrise,

that the boat

> > was tied to the dock, the entire time. I think Amma may have

been inferring

> > that it can give the feeling of having a spiritual experince,

while not giving

> > the real thing. My own view based on a beginner's experience,

is that real

> > spiritual experiences, far surpass the bliss of drug induced

experiences.

>

> Maharishi once said that meditating and still doing drugs is like

the

> elephant who washes himself in the river and then throws mud on

himself when

> he gets out.

>

[Guest guest]

on 1/7/06 7:19 AM, ecjensen_us at ecjensen_us wrote:

 

> OM NAMAH SIVAYA

>

> it's a toxin and God is pure, so his analogy makes perfect sense.

> for several years i was of the mindset that any time was the right

> time when it came to ganja(red wine too). a spiritual friend of

> mine suggested that i always offer it to Amma first and put my

> mantra in it before comsuming, and after Siva puja, have a smoke

> and sing to Siva. and since i was chemically inclined i took his

> advice. any time i opened a bottle of wine i would pour some in a

> small glass and offer it to Amma's picture. i would repeat my

> mantra as i rolled one and offer it at Amma's feet before i smoked

> it. (i would offer it up to Kali on the down low so friends wouldn't

> freak out LOL) i am by no means recommending this but i can

> honestly say slowly over time i lost my taste or enjoyment for wine

> and ganja except maybe for an occasional tantric ceremony. i still

> don't quite understand it, i guess it is part of the grace of the

> guru. it's more like they left or quit me than me quitting them.

 

Good tactic. There's a story about Maharishi's master, from

http://www.srigurudev.net/srigurudev/gurudev/discourses.html:

 

Story of the Cocaine Addict

 

'One day a man who was considered to be very wealthy came to Guru Dev and

asked, "I have been so happy whenever I have come to you. Would you allow me

to donate something for your ashram?"

 

"No", said Guru Dev, "I do not want your money but I want from you what is

dearest to you!"

 

"Do you want my estates?"

 

"No, your estates do not belong to you, you have so many debts."

 

Now the man was deeply frightened! Guru Dev continued quietly: "You have a

little box in your pocket, what is in it, that is what I want, for that is

dearest to you! For that cocaine you have been spending all your money and

have made your family unhappy. If you have to make an offering, offer not

your money but your defects, so that you are redeemed and made whole."

 

Trembling the man took out of his pocket a little box and handed it to Guru

Dev. He prostrated before the master for a long time and then thanked him

from the deepest bottom of his heart for having been cured of his addiction.

 

Guru Dev said: "Now go and work and make your family happy!"'