The title here may need some explanation in any language. I don’t think ‘insidious’ is used that frequently—in English, at least. Thus, its meaning may be a bit obscure.
“Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with very harmful effects,” is one definition.
Examples of insidiousness may not be difficult to find. Addiction is one vivid example, as the substance that initially may bring the user positive experiences, gradually (insidiously) becomes so negative as to become possibly life-threatening.
The subject I would like to address here is MIND-ALTERING SUBSTANCES, and the possibility of becoming addicted to or seriously impacted by them. Though they are just one source of addiction, they do carry with them some unique qualities which we ignore at our own risk.
And then some behaviors should be avoided even in ‘moderation’–addictive or not.
This is a subject that I need not address hypothetically. I have been there, done that. Yes, it has been 24 1/2 years since I tried this route. But it is indeed ‘a day at a time.’
My drug of choice is insidious. Why? Because marijuana’s legalization in so many countries and states in the US tends to imply that it’s not such a source of concern.
Yes, alcohol is legal for adults–except at the World Cup–but at least there is no illusion of ‘medicinal alcohol,’ as there is for weed. So, unless you have an open wound that needs cleaning, alcohol and medicine are rarely used in the same sentence.
Still, though legal for adults, alcohol has its own cadre of detractors and dangers. Perhaps some of us ‘self-medicate’ as many pot users claim—but getting caught in the throes of illusion can also be insidious.
Marijuana nearly killed me, no hyperbole intended. Finding Marijuana Anonymous meetings in 1998 was a godsend. That Anonymous Programs are part of the Homa Therapy Drug/Alcohol Detox Program certainly is not accidental.
So-called recreational use of alcohol or pot certainly is different than self-medicating. Or is it? If recreation is a form of medication….
With Homa Therapy, I was able to stop my use of pot nearly immediately. After 3 years of sobriety—interrupted by one joint, I remained clean for another 15 years. I then resumed smoking in 1994 as I stopped practicing Homa Therapy for some time. Hmm….
I resumed Agnihotra 5 years later and have continued to abstain from all mind-altering substances for the ensuing 24 1/2 years. So basically, I became my own experimental guinea pig. I am so far happy with the results.
Then there’s DEPRESSION. First it might be said that depression is no doubt one of the more prevalent conditions that lead to self-medicating—whether via marijuana or other drugs.
Much is known about addiction—or “heavy use,” if you prefer—of such substances as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, etc.
A newer and more of a grey area to some, are several other ‘natural’ substances including ayahuasca, magic mushrooms, etc.
‘Public relations’ and social media descriptions often attempt to lend airs of spirituality and respectability here—for ayahuasca especially, as one allegedly requires a shaman to ‘process’ the trip.
And, truth be told, as with several parts of life, the spiritual and the material can be difficult to distinguish from each other.
In fact, I have heard—from an impeccable source— that depending on how the mind approaches it, the spiritual and the material may be considered to be the same.
That being said, putting aside the quality, and truthfulness of the shamans on the market, an important concept should be mentioned here.
It may be true that mind-altering substances can open us up to positive glimpses of higher consciousness or ‘psychedelic experiences’, as they were more often described in years past, etc. But equally true is that negative, dark energies are likely to enter also. It is a risky and often not a beneficial tradeoff. Quite the contrary. Is it a ‘pact with the devil?’ Who knows?
If you leave the doors of your house unlocked, you may have unwanted guests to go along with welcomed ones. Aldous Huxley titled his book about his experiences under the influence of mescaline, “The Doors of Perception.’ So, our doors analogy may be apt.
The current state of our world makes it very dangerous to ‘roll the dice’ or ‘play with fire.’
My experience tells me my best use of fires is at sunrise and sunset. As the song goes, “Agnihotra is the way.”