Can drugs be a way to enlightenment? Even Shiva smoked up

If you look at me, you would think I am stoned, though I have never touched a substance in my life. We need to understand, whatever chemicals we put into the system, essentially it can only ignite something within us. It cannot by itself cause too much to us. Only those kind of things which will put you to sleep totally, like an anesthetic – they work in a different way. They completely knock you down. But all the others, which have some sense of experience, they only stimulate something within you.

If you know how to stimulate yourself, you can sit in great pleasure, and it costs neither money or health. And you can be super-alert, such that you can go without sleep for many days. Otherwise, you have to put in something from the outside. Shiva was high, no question, but by what, is another matter. He is not using substance, he is the substance!

A few years ago, an Israeli scientist and his team discovered what they called a “bliss molecule” in the human body. They found that in the human brain, there are cannabis receptors naturally present. When they looked into why this was so, they found that at certain times, the human body actually produces its own narcotic. It doesn’t need a stimulus from outside to create bliss.

Alcohol, drugs and other stimulants cause addictions, health problems and reduce your awareness. But you can activate  your own body in such a way that you can be blissful all the time – no hangover!  In fact, it is highly beneficial for your health and wellbeing. This chemical was named by the scientist as “anandamide”. “Ananda”, in Sanskrit, means bliss.

Even if Shiva smoked – I don’t think he did – can you do all the other things he does? Can you sit for three months, unmoving?

This happened: Adi Shankara was walking somewhere with a bunch of his disciples trotting behind him. Then he saw a liquor shop outside a village. In those days, and even just a few decades ago, the drink shops were only outside the village. They were never allowed into the village. Nowadays, it is right next to your house, in front of your child’s school and all over the place.

Shankara went, took a whole pitcher of toddy (a homebrew liquor), drank it and walked on. The disciples behind him started discussing: “Our guru himself is drinking? Why are we missing out on the whole thing?” They kept arguing amongst themselves till they came to the next village.

There, they just ran into the toddy shop and had a few drinks. Shankara just walked on. Another village came. Shankara walked into the village blacksmith's shop where there was some molten iron. He picked that up, took a drink and walked on. Now his disciples got the point.

People think they become spiritual by smoking marijuana and feeling a little smoked out. Getting hazy is not life – that happens in death. When you are dying, when you are a little conscious-unconscious, life is hazy. But when you are alive, clarity is the most important thing. And clarity can be intoxicating. In being super-alert, there is another kind of intoxication.

That is the way. Not with weeds. Today, the entire world is talking about marijuana, but there is substantial research to show that there your IQ drops if you smoke regularly for a certain period of time. You will never retrieve that intellect again.

You don’t even have to go through any research. Just look at those who are generally on this. If you see them, they act peaceful. But if you don’t give them their substance for two days, you will see how cranky they become. You have to give them the daily dose so they can be nice and peaceful.

You will be peaceful when you are hazy, but that is of no value. If you have found that your brain can do something worthwhile, then that is not the way to go. There is nothing spiritual about any chemical.

Also read: Chanting Shiva can transform your life

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