Experimenting with altered states.

Probably one of the reasons why I have so much respect for cannabis is because I have children. Part of the human experience is the experimentation of  altered states of consciousness and it seems to begin when our body and mind is going through rapid changes from childhood to adulthood. That’s when my exploration began, along with almost every person I know.  

It’s not a coincidence that exploration with altered states starts during adolescence. In Western society, our kids seem to go through the experimentation primarily alone with their peers. And the predominant message to our adolescents is condemning exploration, with warnings of the damage to health, and heavy discouragement of risk taking. The message is: altered states (drugs) are dangerous… and I’m not disagreeing. I definitely wouldn’t take certain substances without an experienced guide!

But…the ancient cultures seem to have a deep respect for altered states and are there with their children, initiating them into the experience. It’s such a different perspective to the views held in Western society.

I want to be there with my children (not necessarily in a physical sense, although that would be ideal too), but I want to at least be there in my relationship with them, to let them know that this exploration is normal and part of their adolescent initiation, supporting and guiding where I can, and trusting in their own individual path.

Cannabis wasn’t my choice of consciousness altering substance when I was younger. It was alcohol, and it was fun, but I also made a shitload of mistakes, did stupid stuff, and took reckless risks.

Yeah for sure, altered states are great for recreational purposes (which is part of life too), but there is a depth to cannabis and other plants/fungi that commands my respect, and probably why I was scared to experiment with anything beyond alcohol as a teenager (even though it was arguably the most ‘dangerous’ of them all), except for the small handful of times I tried cannabis and freaked out! 

I want to model to my children (and provide non fear-based education) that altered state experiences are profound, and a degree of maturity and responsibility is required. And that a relationship with cannabis doesn’t have to be one of reliance, escape, or abuse, but mutually beneficial, based on respect and appreciation. This is definitely an out there topic, but just wanted to share an alternative perspective to the norm.