Cannabis & Consciousness
Meditation and Cannabis are two tools for accessing non-ordinary states of consciousness, and when intentionally combined, deliver game-changing results.
Background
Cannabis and I have been an item for a very long time, yet it was only a few years ago, when I began combining her loving glow with the introspection and consciousness expansion of meditation. I kind of stumbled into meditation, with cannabis as my lovely wing, and began with just trying different things - different breathing techniques, music, sounds, mantras, focal points, positions, and different amounts of cannabis to go along with it.
From the beginning, the idea of just sitting completely still or laying flat out, corpse pose, and applying a thin, sticky smear of cannabis consciousness to hold the phone, seemed to be just about the best idea I had ever come up with, and so I practiced. As I practiced and read up a bit, I began applying some yogic meditation techniques and my life began to shift in some pretty profound ways.
History
Cannabis has been used as a connector to consciousness since time immemorial. She is a plant of immense power, able to perform medicinal and mystical feats, with chameleon-like skill. Spiritual practices from Rastafarianism to Hinduism have tapped our beloved flowering goddess for her ability to help us bumbling humans connect to the collective consciousness and achieve a higher state of awareness through intentional use and a variety of other spiritual practices.
So, how can you combine intentional cannabis use with meditation to realize all the life benefits of achieving higher states of awareness? Can anybody do this? How do you get started?
Well, if you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve already started on your journey. Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or just curious to give it a try, cannabis can be a powerful ally in your meditation practice, enabling you to master the art of the quiet mind, while enjoying the float amid the joyous ganja Consciousness.
Getting Started
I hear it all the time - people tell me they just can’t meditate. Some of the many excuses include, a mind that won’t shut up, a lack of time in their oh-so-important and busy day, too much going on in their careers, self-judgment and criticism, and the belief by many people that they just need to max out productivity to really make a difference in their lives.
The truth is, none of these excuses are valid. If you can breathe, you can meditate. And it only takes a few minutes a day to begin a practice. If you don’t have a few minutes a day to spare, it’s probably a good idea to sit down and conduct a serious assessment of your daily schedule and figure out a way to make some time for you.
There are as many different ways to meditate as there are strains of our beloved bud. From mantras and mindfulness to guided or walking meditations, you can use a variety of auditory and visual stimuli to bring the mind into focus and quiet. And there are a number of apps out there to help too, like Calm and Headspace, so when starting out, try different things and see what works. Leave judgment at the door and don’t be afraid to switch things up and try new techniques, sounds, environments, and body positions to see what best works for you. And like sound, or the mystical flicker of a candle’s flame, cannabis is a powerful tool to bring you into the depths of non-ordinary meditative states of consciousness.
The Medicine/Meditation Protocol
Rather than being prescriptive here, I prefer a more self-guided approach to working with cannabis for meditative practices. The variables are too many to list, but a good rule of thumb is to start on the light side and see what unfolds. We all know that too much of a good thing isn’t very good, and with cannabis and meditation, the medicine can elicit the opposite of desired cognitive states for optimal meditative experiences. It’s a good bet that most readers of this fine publication have had the experience of hitting it too hard before bed and as we close our eyes to fall into a sleeping dream state, are instead met with a barrage of rapid jump-cut imagery, like an overdone music video.
For my personal protocol, I’ve determined that there are basically two different cannabis doses to work with: one, a 3-hit wonder of just enough to get the head ready for departure, and another, a high-level, often edible dose made with some of my home-made butter, which I’ve been stirring up for over three decades now. This dose is appropriate for longer meditations of 90 minutes or more, when I have nothing else going on, and often produces psychedelic-like effects and stillness that really hit the mark.
A Daily Practice
Meditation is like anything worthwhile - it takes practice, daily. And the very word ‘practice’ brings forth an open heart and mind, free of judgment and open to new adventures. Meditation should be enjoyable and the right amount of cannabis is the perfect accompaniment to delve into your inner self and build meditation skills, while being present and aware of any thoughts that float by and by being forgiving for your beautiful imperfections.
Meditation and cannabis go together much better than peanut butter and jelly - I never really understood that combination. Through my own journey of discovery through various consciousness practices, I’ve found the cannabis and meditation combination to be one of the most important components of my relationship with Consciousness. Starting is easier than you think - just carve out some time everyday, with a bit of your favorite way to weed. Then grab your ticket to the blissful peace and infinite creativity of the Collective Consciousness - something that’s infinitely worth more than the price of admission. What are you waiting for? Fire up and meditate!