* Crossposted from: [I] - ALT.FOLKLORE: Herbs
hi,
I was just reading what you have to say about pychedelics, and I found it 
ery
interesting. I thought I'd comment on these drugs in relation to Judaism.
Many people say that psychedelic drugs were used to attain higher states of
consciousness, particularly, being able to see G-d.
By using the ancient equivalant of LSD, people could cheat, and attain images
or ideas they weren't ready for.
It was not just by using drugs that people could cheat. It was (and is) 
possible
to use various methods of meditations (ie reciting Divine Names) to attain
the same states. There is a famous story in the Talmud (the 'Oral Law') of
four people who entered an orchard (paradise). One gazed and died, one gazed
and went mad, one cut his plantings, and one remained alive.
The one who died, and the one who went mad, both did so because they gazed 
(went
on uttering Divine Names) for too long. Just as with LSD this can happen. The 
one
who 'cut his plantings' is a metaphor. Some say he blastphemed.
The on who remained did not gaze for too long, and did not do anything wrong
thus he survived.
However some people in the past have used drugs, in particular cannabis, but
it must be stressed that the intentions have to be for the sake of good, not
for personal material gain. This was used in conjunction with meditation.
Any further questions, or if anyone could correct my mistakes (if any), 
lease
email andy@overflow.com, or post to newsgroup.
Thanks
Andrew
andy@overflow.com
http://members.tripod.com/~KNO3
PS My web-page contains more info! 
... "The Best Of Physicians Are Destined To Go To Hell" Kiddushin 82a
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