Any novice to the use of cannabis can smoke a bit of cannabis and zone out in front of the TV. But those who are more experienced and intentional when it comes to their cannabis use may find the substance beneficial to the practice of meditation. By adding cannabis to your meditation, you can allow the herb to elevate your experience and expand your consciousness, deepening the meditative state and giving access to planes of thought you might not otherwise have been able to experience.
Sound a little bit new-age-y and flaky? You might be surprised to learn just how long cannabis has been part of the ritual of meditation for some people and about the many things it can do to enhance your practice.
The use of cannabis as a supplement to meditation has roots from about 1500 BC when ancient Hindus revered it as one of their five sacred plants. In fact, legend has it that the Hindu deity Lord Shiva was known for loving cannabis. Ancient Hindus incorporated the plant into the practice of their religion. To this day, an annual spiritual festival in Nepal features the marijuana plant as a part of the celebration.
Thanks to the stigma that has developed around cannabis, many of these practices have been lost or simply failed to make their way to the United States. But as the legality of cannabis accelerates, we have the opportunity to discover the meditative benefits it offers.
So why should you consider incorporating cannabis into your own meditative practice? The answer is that the effects of cannabis lend themselves particularly to several of the mental breakthroughs meditative practice tries to encourage. By incorporating marijuana into your practice, you may discover new depth in the following ways:
If you develop an anxious high or overdo it, your meditative experience is going to be ruined. Therefore, it’s a good idea to start with a small dose for your first experience. Choose a strain you’ve tried before so that you’ll know what to expect. You may want to opt for smoking or vaping so that you can maintain a steady, consistent high, rather than experiencing one that peaks dramatically and then trails away.
Make sure you are in an environment where you feel comfortable. Maybe you prefer to surround yourself with trusted friends, or maybe you’re happiest on your own. Then, enjoy the ride!
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