5 groups that use cannabis for spiritual enlightenment
Cannabis consumption can be a fun way to get to know your friends better, laugh harder at funny movies or to help you sleep. But what if smoking dope could help you enhance your spirituality?
Marijuana has been used ceremonially for centuries. Some religious groups utilize cannabis to deepen their spirituality. Let’s take a look into which groups use this herb and how they harness it’s potential:
1. Taoism
Farmers found remains of a mummified shaman accompanied by a large amount of cannabis. Incense burners were also found with oil residue from the psychoactive hemp plant. This evidence is a look into how ancient Chinese used cannabis for its medicinal and “magical” properties. They acknowledge both the male and female parts of the plant and used the properties respectively in relation to yin and yang ideologies. The plant was also believed and used to prolong life and inspire prophecy telling visions or dreams.
To enhance Taoist spirituality, cannabis was used in ritual. If taken long term, Taoist priests and Chinese shamans believed they could communicate with spirits and enhance visionary powers.
References to cannabis use in China date back to 2,800 BCE.
Read more about cannabis use in Ancient China here.
2. Hinduism
Cannabis use was prevalent in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This widespread use began to influence and enhance Hinduism. Cannabis is listed as one of the five sacred plants in the Atharva Veda, an ancient Hindu text. Sadhus are known to smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco. Entire villages partake in an annual festival, eating pastries made with cannabis.
Hindus believe cannabis is not toxic, but medicinal and can heighten ones awareness, raise consciousness, and increase compassion, understanding, concentration and focus.
According to Swami Chaitanya, “cannabis can enhance one-pointedness in meditation, and can trigger a different awareness of and greater relaxation of the body.”
Click here to read a letter written by Swami Chaitanya, a practicing Hindu and founder of Swami Select cannabis.
3. Native Americans
Native American tribes have grown sacred cannabis strains for hundreds of generations. Some tribes consider cannabis a sacred herb, it is used in rituals, prayer and meditation. Cannabis is consumed in food, used as medicine and put in smoke blends. “Peace” pipes are symbolic to Native Americans. They smoke herbs such as cannabis, sage, mint, salvia, peyote, mullen and others in the pipes.
Aspects of Native American culture are illegal in the United States as their religions are not fully legal on reservations. This makes cannabis use among Native Americans tricky although it is a central herb believed to elevate religious practices in tribes.
Find more information here.
4. Rastafarianism
Followers of the Rastafari religion are probably the most commonly known cannabis users, due to association with Bob Marley. Rastafarians use cannabis in everyday life to achieve a higher level of consciousness. It is considered the “wisdom weed” and is used as a religious rite in means of getting closer to ones inner spirit, God and Creation.
During ceremonial gatherings, cannabis is passed around and smoked.
Read more here about Rastafarian cannabis use.
A small group in Denver, Colorado started the International Church of Cannabis. The group harnesses the effects of cannabis to aid followers in their quest for spiritual enlightenment. There is no need to convert to Elevationism, the community is welcoming to all religious backgrounds.
As mentioned on their website, “Through ritual, guided by spiritual practice, church members use the sacred flower to reveal the best version of self, discover a creative voice and enrich their community with the fruits of that creativity.”
Cannabis is burned as incense in ceremonies to achieve a high and elevate consciousness.
Check out the website for the International Church of Cannabis here.
Cannabis use has a long historical relevance in religious groups. The active compound in cannabis, THC, induces relaxation, euphoria, and a sense of well-being. Smoking with intention and presence can aid spiritual awakening, as our ancestors have demonstrated.
