Drugs and Spirit Medicine

Show Notes

Humans have been using substances to have ‘extraordinary experiences’ for millenia. 

Sometimes this is motivated by a simple sense of curiosity, and at other times it might be to ‘fill a void,’ while in other cases it might be motivated by a promise of an elusive ‘spiritual experience.’ 

In some cases it leads to addiction and dependence, while in others it might just be a bucket-list experience that someone moves on from.

In this episode, Thom takes a non-judgemental look at the motivation and impact of such experiences, and outlines an alternative approach, one that’s more sustainable and that leads to a ‘permanent high’ that most people couldn’t even conceive of.

Episode Highlights: 

[00:40] The Desire to Belong

[02:29] Tribal Life 

[04:27] A Sense of Identity 

[06:00] Join the Club 

[07:14] Human Beings Crave Variety 

[08:33] The Nature of the Knower 

[09:51] Badge of Rank 

[11:29] The Difference Between a Cult and a Religion 

[12:39] Shibboleth 

[13:25] Drugs 

[14:35] Why Drugs Work

[15:59] Endogenous Chemicals 

[18:03] The Prime Directive of the Body

[19:32] Ayahuasca, LSD, THC 

[21:13] Mimicking Molecules 

[22:44] Lizards on LSD and Psychotic Dogs 

[24:31] The Confused Body 

[26:23] Sublimation and Addiction 

[27:47] An Overload of Experience 

[29:35] Premature Cognitive Commitments 

[31:10] Psychedelic Experiences 

[33:11] Where Are the Icons of Drug Use? 

[35:19] A Sustainable Systematic Approach 

[37:32] What About Soma? 

[38:30] Vedic Meditation - A Better Methodology 

[39:44] An Overload of Experience 

[41:21] Supreme, Inner Contentedness 

[43:01] An Experience of Self 

[44:57] Our Body is a Drug-Producing Machine 

[46:19] Unsustainable Ways to Extraordinary Experiences 

[47:26] The 4/20 Club and Counterfeit Substances 

[49:13] Consciousness-Led Experiences 

[50:35] A Perpetual Psychedelic State 

[51:59] Learning the Sustainable Way 

[53:28] Being in the Tribe 

[54:29] A Regular Daily Practice 

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Creators & Guests

Producer

Brett Jarman

I'm a long-term Vedic meditator, learning from Thom Knoles in the early 1990s. Having put my skills to work as a business consultant and mentor since 1999, I'm currently in training to become a Vedic Meditation Initiator myself. Once qualified I'll combine the two passions, showing business owners and professionals how to enhance their professional and personal performance with Vedic Meditation being a key component.

Producer

Susan Chen

A former Wall Street Research Analyst, with a BA from Harvard under my belt, I studied with Thom Knoles, the pre-eminent authority of Vedic knowledge, and spend two months of the year continuing my study of Vedic knowledge in India. I was inducted into the Shankaracharya tradition in a 12-week immersion program by Thom, with Shri Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri, Supreme Authority of Vedic knowledge in India in 2106.

What is Vedic Worldview?

Join philosopher, educator and celebrated speaker on the cognitive sciences, Thom Knoles for inspiring insights and wisdom to support your personal evolution. Thom is an renowned expert on the relationship between quantum physics and human consciousness, and on the 5,000 year-old body of wisdom known as The Veda. For over 50 years, he has personally taught Vedic Meditation to tens of thousands of students and consulted to governments and private corporations throughout the world.