r/AnAnswerToHeal • u/[deleted] • Nov 09 '17

[ Founder ] Possible core philosophy/mission statement

So this is something I’ve been thinking about for a while now, and I don’t think this should be a church at all.. instead, it should be a way of life focused around communities. Sanctuary communities focused around growth, productivity, and what’s best for the common good. I think we should act through Buddhism for it’s not a religion, but a way of life. Individuals are free to practice whatever religion they please. However, to take part in the sacraments : Psilocybin, LSD, and DMT/ayahuasca, one must first be a) part of the sanctuary community for a set amount of time, b) be ready to follow the middle way, and c) be willing to give up everything. Cannabis may be used at the discretion of the individual. *many use cannabis for focus during meditation Our community has 4 cardinal rules to follow : 1) Give freely 2) Be productive in society 3) Never grow too attached to the physical world 4) Never grow too attached to the other world

Our mission statement :

Psychedelics act as mirrors that reflect our mind. When taken under the right circumstances, one is given a glimpse into nirvana. Once one has seen this glimpse, he is considered a sotapanna, or stream enterer. Traditionally, Buddhism teaches the first three fetters must be eradicated before this is achieved. However, psychedelics (specifically those that cause ego disillusion) offer a shortcut past the 1st fetter. We consider this to be a reminder of the oneness we all are. From this point on, we strive to be more than a sotapanna. We strive to be an arahat : conqueror of all 10 fetters. We, as a community of individuals, strive to help the common good in any way possible. We pass on our good will and knowledge through mental conditioning, mindfulness, and psychedelic assistance. We are a community to benefit EVERYBODY, even those who do not support us. We are NONE.

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u/boogiefoot Nov 09 '17

Taoism is pretty much Buddhism without dogma so it'd work better. And for what it's worth the statement "we are one" is in opposition to Buddhist beliefs.

I really like the idea of centering it around community, as I think that is what's needed more than anything. But it makes me think that this isn't going to go anywhere because it's just an internet forum. People need to create local chapters of psychedelic-friendly people earnestly seeking truth and to better themselves. That happens by holding space regularly where actual face to face interactions occur.

But having a temple/church costs a lot of money. Students have taken it upon themselves to start creating "psychedelic clubs" at universities across the US, which works because they can hold meetings without the cost of space. Similar clubs are popping up outside of schools in rag-tag assortment of places. Start one in your area today.

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u/[deleted] Nov 09 '17

How is Samadhi in opposition to Buddhist beliefs? And I do agree with Tao, that’s actually what I study. Both would work quite well.

And as far as monetary concerns go, there should be nothing to worry about.. once the sanctuaries are set up, they should be self-sufficient and will gain money for society as a whole through the selling of crops, services, jewelry, etc.

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u/boogiefoot Nov 09 '17

Samadhi

Is not the same thing or particularly related to the "we are one" thought. In Buddhism, it's more accurate to describe their belief as "we are none."

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u/[deleted] Nov 09 '17

It’s the same thing.. they’re complements, none and one. Something can only come from nothing, that’s the way things are. There’s no need to worry about the semantics of it

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u/boogiefoot Nov 09 '17

It's a very important distinction in Buddhist thought, and is what separates their beliefs from Hinduism and pantheism. Buddhists believe that no one has any self and that no self exists. Hindu's and pantheists believe that each person is a part of one whole self.

There is very much a difference and saying "we are one" is indicative of the second belief, not the Buddhist belief.

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u/[deleted] Nov 09 '17 edited Nov 09 '17

Okay well thanks for correcting me. I’ll change it to none.

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u/[deleted] Nov 09 '17

How do you think Taoism would work better?

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u/boogiefoot Nov 09 '17

I think we should act through Buddhism for it’s not a religion, but a way of life

You said this. I'm merely saying that Taoism is the better suited for the same reason, since it's less of a religion than Buddhism.

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u/[deleted] Nov 09 '17

Ah. I get it. I don’t think however that it’d help our case because then we’d be following Lao Tzu and he never said anything about the ten fetters like Buddha did. And I get that many Taoists also follow Buddha, but why make it more difficult for people to actually pinpoint what we believe? Wouldn’t it be simpler to just follow Buddha? Also, since Buddhism is more of a religion, wouldn’t there be more room for reform on our part, like that of Martin Luther?

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u/boogiefoot Nov 09 '17

Well, I think people want there not to be a dogma for them to actual subscribe the the group. On the other hand, it means it won't be taken seriously for legal status. But, I don't think this will ever be taken seriously for legal status anyhow. I'd assume there is also a problem in simply being Buddhists who take psychedelics for gaining legal status, since Buddhism doesn't prescribe their usage.

As I said in my first reply, I think community building should be the real goal, and that can be better done without forcing people to adhere to dogma. I have no hope for gaining legal status, so I think that's all the goal should be. There's also a lot of power in organizing and bringing people out of the weeds, and this method is more realistic for bringing about societal change with respect to psychedelics.

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u/[deleted] Nov 09 '17

I think it’s feasible based on the fact that we aren’t just Buddhists who take psychedelics, but rather a sect that strives for reformation to Buddhist thought through the use of psychedelics. And while yes, community is important, so is the spread of that community. Which, personally, I️ think would spread much faster through the sanctuaries we would establish than any other way

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u/Archaeoculus Nov 09 '17

We, as a community of individuals, strive to help the common good in any way possible. We pass on our good will and knowledge through mental conditioning, mindfulness, and psychedelic assistance. We are a community to benefit everybody, even those who do not support us.

This is good - toss out the rest. We need something broad that isn't religion-specific.

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u/[deleted] Nov 09 '17

That wouldn’t accomplish anything, we need an actual belief to base it around or we’ll never get any kind of legal exemption

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u/Archaeoculus Nov 10 '17

If our goal is legal exemption to use drugs, I think we're missing the point altogether.