Spirituality

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It is important to first note that spirituality does not have the same meaning for everyone, some think of it in a religious way and others see it as having inner peace. Some of the different ways it has been defined are the following: "a belief in a power operating in the universe that is greater than oneself; a sense of interconnectedness with all living creatures; and an awareness of the purpose and meaning of life and the development of personal, absolute values. It's the way you find meaning, hope, comfort, and inner peace in your life". Ehrlich, S. D. (2009, September 28)

Another important term to know is "Entheogens"; these are defined as "agents that bring one in touch with the Divine within" Shanon, B. (n.d.). Psilocybin Mushrooms are often referred to as being an entheogen because of the spiritual capabilities the drug is reported to have. It is not an experience that everyone has while taking the drug however many have reported that when they are in the right mind frame and environment they do encounter some sort of spiritual experience. There have been other techniques other then the psilocybin used to try an provoke such experiences such as "fasting, prolonged meditation, seclusion, physical stress, exercises and breathing methods"Ball, M. W. (2006) Entheogens, while not necessarily inherently generative of spiritual experience, are often methods, however, in generating radical and profound experiences. Shamans have known for thousands of years that certain plants, when prepared and setting with the necessary attention to ritual. Structure, and intention, can be fairly consistently relied upon to produce profound and life-altering spiritual experiences in all manner of people from laypersons to ritual experts. Ball, M. W. (2006)

Mycologist Paul Stamets believes that "they are keys to the dimensions surrounding us that ordinarily cannot be seen. If they permit, you will be granted access to unimaginable dimensions of beauty, grace, and peacefulness. They bring me closer to God, Jesus, Buddha, Gaian consciousness, my origins, and to a deeper understanding of my purpose in the universe. The experience, by all measures is profoundly spiritual". Ball, M. W. (2006).

Not everyone is capable of having such experiences, and the drug does not produce the same spiritual effects on anyone who can. "Once a threshold amount is consumed, mushrooms radically alter perception, sense of being, and experience of self and world. Their value as spiritual tools, however, depends on the mindset, attitude, and disposition of the mushroom eater, and the framework and context in which they are consumed. What one brings to the experience heavily influences what one gets out of it, though intensions and context never entirely determine the nature of the entheogen experience”. Ball, M. W. (2006).

‍There are some who believe that the Psilocybin mushroom is not capable of producing these effects and here are some of the reasons they have to back up their argument:


 *  The first argument is that some drug experiences are clearly anything but mystical and beneficial.
 *  The second is the claim that the experiences induced by drugs are actually different from those of genuine mystics.
 *  The third point is a theological one, which argues that mystical rapture is a gift of God that can never be brought under mere human control.
 *  The fourth is that drug-induced experiences are too quick and easy, and could therefore hardly be identical to those hard-won by years of contemplativediscipline.
 * The final argument is that the after-effects of drug induced experiences are different, less beneficial, and less long-lasting than those of contemplatives. Entheogens:True or False?.(2003).