Quote Originally Posted by Polymirize
I know we're having the slightest of clashes here on this issue. Apparently you're a buddhist. I'm much more of a taoist myself. I don't hold to the truth that all of life is suffering. but meditation being more than just a buddhist phenomena, we can't really point to buddha as the best meditator can we? the best buddhist perhaps, but not the best meditator by necessity.

So let's talk about actual practical use. I've heard people describe the meditative state as something seperate life. For the taoist its more like becoming closer to life. Maybe just in that the focus is on all of life and not just the illusion of our seperation (self). I dunno, mostly I consider buddhism and taoism as two expressions of the same thing, like up and down. I just like the flavor of one over the other, but I may have just mis-stated buddhism, so correct me if I've misrepresented you.

Oh right, so anyway, whether the "self" is altered or not, meditation can still occur. You do realise that you can hold to and be aware of the meditative state all the time don't you? Maybe not as strongly as when one truly focuses, but definately aware. If you were aware of the lack of seperations what would you have to be angry about to start with?

A trip can be like living a lifetime in an hour. Some people don't know how to focus right, and create a nightmare for themselves. But other people can focus on something else, and can create amazing experiences.

I'll leave you with a quote from Terrence McKenna

"'You don't see any contradiction in being a Buddhist
and exploring psychedelics? No, I would almost say,
"how can you be a serious Buddhist if you're not
exploring psychedelics?" Then you're sort of an
armchair Buddhist, a Buddhist from theory. a Buddhist
from practice, but it's sort of training wheels
practice. I mean, the real thing is, take the old boat
out and give it a spin.'"
I wasn't clear, sorry, but I don't chew enough salvia to trip. But chewing a quid makes my physical self extremely relaxed, yet my mental self aware and focused. Last night, though, I did "auto talk" or something.. really wierd. I recorded my salvia induced session and for some reason every few minutes or so on the tape I said some really self revealing things, things that I had never taken into account before. Things that overall helped me. (and things that I didn't remember saying at all) Everything was so clear, I ended up apologizing to several people that I felt deseved one, and now I just value life in a completely different way. Unlike before, I want to be on good terms with everyone, at all times.. should anything happen to them or me. Life is precious

Peace