Drugs/alcohol and enlightenment?

To say they just cause hallucinations, as some people are claiming, is an understatement. They cause a complete change in perception that extends well beyond sensory hallucinations, and the way these things are made manifest through chemical changes in the brain are not well understood, although some research suggests that it is similar to religious experiences. I think that while a certain drug may present a piece of truth, it's important to find this truth without taking these sorts of chemicals, as it makes it even harder to discern what's real and what's not spiritually speaking. Although a certain experience I had quite some time ago was very helpful to me, there have been setbacks when it came to hallucinogens as well; that's why I believe it's best to stay away from them and strip away the ego slowly, without forcing immediate change. So to finally answer your question, yes, they can create spiritual experiences, and anyone who's been there can tell you they definitely create OBEs, at least subjectively.

It's part of human's curiously, if we see other people taking a drug, it's natural to want to know what it feels like. But mainly, at least for the recreation use of drugs, it's because they're enjoyable. Isn't having fun is what makes life worth living? Some psychedelics are used for spiritual reasons, and have been for thousands of years. What allowed you to label it ‘false’ enlightenment, maybe the way you achieve enlightenment is considered false. They're just different ways to obtain the same thing.

I can give you my most sincere personal assurances, more truth can be discovered through a single powerful psychotropic experience than through all the religions that have ever existed on Earth.

I promise you that.

Addendum: I just realized that my post could come across as a sarcastic dig at religion.

That isn't what I meant by it. There is more to be learned from psychotropic substances than, from the looks of the posts here, most of you could ever *possibly* imagine.

Oh, and they're not called hallucinogens because "they just make you hallucinate, and, gee, those aren't real". If you think that, you've never tried it.

They're called mind-expanding drugs for a very good reason.

The manna of the Hebrews was a type of enlightenment substance they mixed in their food to raise their consciousness. If you read Ezekiel 34:29 & Isaiah 61 they also mention a enlightenment drug.

Depends on the person. A purely scientific person will just have fun with the trip. a more open and aware person will find meanings in the trip.

a religious person will find see their god in the trip.

I am a witch. I use alcohol to get mellow and ready for rituals. It helps lower my barriers to the astral.

Take for example weed (which im on right lol), it's pretty good to use to be spiritual with the Lord, I really dont go around caring what people got to say that smoking it is a sin, if it's a sin then God sure is blessing me abundantly for it, it's how you use it...

No, I don't believe so. I believe everything we need spiritually is within us. I also don't believe that any deities would have created a substance to help us "cheat" spiritually, then made it harmful to our bodies.

Yes, they cause hallucinations. How you interpret those depends on your culture and education.

No, no merit - a hallucination is just an hallucination.

Alcohol relaxes my bowels too... I don't find that enlightening.

BUT I sho like my mushrooms.... I don't know if I'd call that enlightening, but it sure makes for a fun weekend.

I'm lovin' it.

That is pretty much the route that most atheists take. I don't think they are big on learning anything though. I think it's just their way of spending the weekend.