The Word Of Wisdom And The Temple

[Nathair/|\]

This is in part a response to Ariartes' thread, but I have been thinking about this for a while now.

In the forward to Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki's The Ritual Magic Workbook, J. H. Brennan provides a strong warning about the dangers of working with magic and using mind altering substances at the same time. Drawing from his own experiences failing to follow similar warnings from his teachers, Brennan explains that the energy system which for example allows acupuncturists to heal, martial artists to break bricks with their bare hands, and magicians to do what they do is directly influenced by the endocrine system.

He describes his one experience with cannabis thus"

I expected a relaxed and pleasant experience. What I got was a nightmare. I was dragged from my body and hurled in and out of reality, in a horrid slow pulse rhythm which, subjectively, went on forever. My spacial perceptions were so distorted I was unable to move unaided. I did not know where I was and my thought patterns were brutally disrupted. Objectively, the experience lasted more than seven hours. All on a single joint!

(emphasis in the original.)

Of course, cannabis does not normally affect people that way, but when combined with esoteric practices it can. Brennan reports that many magicians even avoid such innocuous drugs as aspirin for the same reason. Their energy systems simply can't handle it any more.

So, I got to wondering, if that may be one reason why the Word of Wisdom is part of the temple recommend qualifications. Does recreational drug use pose as much of a threat to those who regularly and seriously attend the temple?

Yours under the cross-pollinating oaks,

Nathair /|\

[thesometimesaint]

Nathair:

The problem with psychoactive drugs and worship is not some supposed synergistic effect, but that the drugs effect is indistinguishable from that of the religious experience. How does one tell the difference betweeen what the drug is "saying" and what is Gods'?

Edited August 22, 2011 by thesometimesaint

[mfbukowski]

On its initial use, cannabis can indeed produce such results if a large quantity is ingested. Seemingly though, the body acclimates to the "high" and subsequently the high becomes different. I have heard many describe the initial high as not all that pleasant even when small quantities are ingested, often complaining of a sense of disorientation and especially a distortion of time sense- as if time becomes like discrete slices of experience- as if one is experiencing a flickery "silent movie" with each moment felt in an almost "strobe-like" effect- which seems consistent with the description you have quoted. It seems though as it is used more and more, the high does indeed become relaxing and pleasant, with less time distortion.

I personally have noticed that when one is sensitive and close to the spirit, one can become highly aware of psychic changes in the body even caused by different types of foods etc. Certainly we know chocolate contains caffeine and endorphins- it is well known that when children eat a lot of sugar they get a "sugar high" etc.

When one is able to listen carefully for the "still small voice" one becomes aware of many other changes happening in one's body.

Now that I am older and have some arthritis, I can tell the difference between the effects of taking aspirin, acetaminophin and ibuprofen on my arthritis and how those effects can be altered by having a bit of chocolate after the pill etc.

It's pretty amazing how everything we do can have effects on the spirit and how we feel on a subtle level when we become aware of these things. I was also prescribed ritalin once because, as should be clear from my posts, I was once "diagnosed" with adult ADD, and I thought it might help my concentration. I got off it quickly though because I felt it made it IMPOSSIBLE to feel the spirit- at all. It was like I was wearing the proverbial "tin foil hat"- nothing was coming in or going out as far as I could tell.

I know nothing about your magic, but I know that anyone who is sensitive to these things would feel as I do, and yes certainly there would be profound adverse effects to using recreational drugs in relation to feeling the spirit.

[mfbukowski]

Nathair:

The problem with psychoactive drugs and worship is not some supposed synergistic effect, but that the drugs effect is indistinguishable from that of the religious experience. How does one tell the difference betweeen what the drug is "saying" and what is Gods'?

One answer should be clear to everyone- if you put a pill in your mouth and feel funny afterwards, it is pretty clearly NOT a "spiritual experience" you are having.

That is like saying that it's hard to tell the difference between drinking beer and having a spiritual experience of calmness. I don't think anyone would actually confuse those.

Edited August 22, 2011 by mfbukowski

[KevinG]

It is the same reason I wouldn't get high or drunk for a visit with a dignitary or before attending a class where I wanted to learn.

[thesometimesaint]

mfbukowski:

True. It is the effects that I'm talking about, not the cause.

[CV75]

Does recreational drug use pose as much of a threat to those who regularly and seriously attend the temple?

It did for the guys in "Pineapple Express," and the guys in "The Big Lebowski" 20 years before that, and for Cheech and Chong 20 years before that and...

[Storm Rider]

Of course, cannabis does not normally affect people that way, but when combined with esoteric practices it can. Brennan reports that many magicians even avoid such innocuous drugs as aspirin for the same reason. Their energy systems simply can't handle it any more.

So, I got to wondering, if that may be one reason why the Word of Wisdom is part of the temple recommend qualifications. Does recreational drug use pose as much of a threat to those who regularly and seriously attend the temple?

This seems to be taking your square peg (magic) and trying to force it into a circular hole (the gospel of Jesus). Overlaying perspectives is good for discussion, but it can easily lead to confusion if one thinks they are the same thing.

All laws are spiritual first; however, the question could then evolve into is the WofW an eternal law or just a mortal law or policy? Drugs affect the brain and distort perception; man becomes out of focus for acceptable reception of the HG. As I say this I acknowledge that several societies have used drugs as a way to interact or engage with God. Jesus and the OT/NT do not provide us with any directions so I conclude there is nothing for me there to investigate. Additionally, it is much like playing with magic. God has given us no directions, no aid in how to deal with it. To me it is like an ant attempting to manipulate or use a nuclear power plant. Bad things can happen quickly.

[Lyr]

Nathair:

The problem with psychoactive drugs and worship is not some supposed synergistic effect, but that the drugs effect is indistinguishable from that of the religious experience. How does one tell the difference betweeen what the drug is "saying" and what is Gods'?

If that was the issue why does the anointing oil given in Exodus 30:23 call for a generous helping of Calamus? Calamus is indeed a psychoactive plant, some even claim it is hallucinogenic.

[volgadon]

If that was the issue why does the anointing oil given in Exodus 30:23 call for a generous helping of Calamus? Calamus is indeed a psychoactive plant, some even claim it is hallucinogenic.

It calls for a generous helping of palmarosa.

[Lyr]

This is in part a response to Ariartes' thread, but I have been thinking about this for a while now.

In the forward to Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki's The Ritual Magic Workbook, J. H. Brennan provides a strong warning about the dangers of working with magic and using mind altering substances at the same time. Drawing from his own experiences failing to follow similar warnings from his teachers, Brennan explains that the energy system which for example allows acupuncturists to heal, martial artists to break bricks with their bare hands, and magicians to do what they do is directly influenced by the endocrine system.

He describes his one experience with cannabis thus"

(emphasis in the original.)

Of course, cannabis does not normally affect people that way, but when combined with esoteric practices it can. Brennan reports that many magicians even avoid such innocuous drugs as aspirin for the same reason. Their energy systems simply can't handle it any more.

Sounds like Brennan got a cut of some flowers with a little more sativa in it's genetics than he is used to. The 'paranoia' that people typically associate with Cannabis Sativa is actually misdirected hyper-focus. When using cannabis sativa it is very important to maintain utmost mental discipline and not allow your thoughts to wander.

So, I got to wondering, if that may be one reason why the Word of Wisdom is part of the temple recommend qualifications. Does recreational drug use pose as much of a threat to those who regularly and seriously attend the temple?

Recreational drug use is poor stewardship of both our bodies and the plants that were placed here for our needs. In large western culture is not yet ready to accept the use of entheogens and as such their use in our society is colored by the ignorance and racism of the past and the imperialism of the present. It is important to note that in the time of the ancient Hebrews God ordained Calamus (some argue it was Cannabis but I don't find their scholarship convincing) for use in his temple as an ingredient in the sacred anointing oil. Since the anointing oil of the ancients clearly contained an entheogen it is obvious to me that the use of psychoactive plants in a spiritual context is not alien to God, but alien to us in our time and in our culture.

You sound like a very dedicated spiritual seeker Nathair. I always enjoy your posts.

[Lyr]

It calls for a generous helping of palmarosa.

Not according to LDS.org http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/ex/30?lang=eng In my LDS 'quad' Exodus 30:23 calls for Calamus as well, same result with the scriptures on my iPod.

[volgadon]

Not according to LDS.org http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/ex/30?lang=eng In my LDS 'quad' Exodus 30:23 calls for Calamus as well, same result with the scriptures on my iPod.

If you look at the Hebrew you will see that calamus isn't in it. You would also see that the other 3 ingredients are all exotic, not things which commonly grow in Israel.

[Lyr]

If you look at the Hebrew you will see that calamus isn't in it. You would also see that the other 3 ingredients are all exotic, not things which commonly grow in Israel.

It is indeed odd that something so common, and literally a ditch weed would be included in sacred anointing oil. Why if the original Hebrew documents do not include calamus is it included in the English translation? Mixing up Calamus for Palmarosa seems quite a large mistake to me.

[volgadon]

It is indeed odd that something so common, and literally a ditch weed would be included in sacred anointing oil.

That should have been the first thing to tip you off.

Why if the original Hebrew documents do not include calamus is it included in the English translation? Mixing up Calamus for Palmarosa seems quite a large mistake to me.

Very good question, I'd have to look into it. One ought to ask why Jeremiah 6:20 wasn't translated as calamus.

[Zakuska]

Well too much sex might make one unworthy to take the sacrament... at least until the next cleansing cycle.

1 Sam 21

1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? 2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.

3 Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.

4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.

5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.

6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the Lord, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Zakuska

[Zakuska]

I think the WOW does have precident for keeping people from attending the temple...

Leviticus 10:9

9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

Yes we aren't Jews so this legally can't be applied to us we being under the new covenant and all. However it does set a pattern for us to follow.

Edited August 24, 2011 by Zakuska