Quote Originally Posted by Guest
We're killing this outer world (we're still killing each other), this world which sustains us. Look at the damage we have inflicted on the environment. Imagine the damage we'd inflict on our inner worlds if we went there regularly? Instead of the break down of ecoystems we'd have the break down of consciousness all together.

I'd like to think that being more in touch with consciousness would actually improve a great deal. Imagine if you will a world where at the age of 16 or so, every child went through some kind of ritual, a reconstruction of reality on their own terms, in order to mark their ascension to adulthood. What a revolutionary concept huh?

Yes, I know, it's not the world that most of us live in now. But I don't think mindless complience will be a source of change. Sometimes when you open to something you can't close it out ever again.

What i can only point to personal experience for (well, and my circle of friends) is the increasing closeness with the surrounding world and people in it that entheogens allow me to experience at times. Inter-being. Perhaps your own experiences have been different?

Change is coming, one way or the other. Perhaps mankind just needs more explorers who are willing to go ahead and try to understand the new worlds.

Maybe evolution will be decided by choice, and there's no reason why all humans have to evolve along the same path.

I'm not sure I even understand your point of view. I can't think of a negative influence on society brought about by the use of psychedelics, as opposed to consumerism, fundamentalism or corporate exploitation... All of which have built severe walls between themselves and the use of entheogens.

Here's the crime: the "recreational" use of entheogens, and the bad trips that occur when people out for a good time encounter something dark and hidden inside themselves that they had managed to ignore till then. Instead of learning, they recoil; bad trip man... Don't want to do that again. Don't want to face down any demons. Don't want to grow as an individual or evolve. These are the members of society who will have to be lead, after safe routes have been established by intrepid psychonauts who voyage into the depths.

anyway, those are some thoughts.