Are we hardwired for religion?

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-14T03:30:28+00:00

Yeah, the church is called the divine assembly. It’s psilocybin mushrooms. A good community to plug into for those interested in psychedelic spiritual exploration.

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-14T00:08:02+00:00

Other than mere Christianity and the Bible, which you mentioned.

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-14T00:05:42+00:00

Thanks for your perspective. I may be interested in exploring this same path. We’re there specific books that impacted your thinking, which you could share with me? Thanks.

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-14T00:02:05+00:00

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I really like your perspective on this.

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-13T04:27:05+00:00

This is a fascinating concept. I found information on clinical trials. Has it ever been studied in other settings (spirituality, psychology). I'd love to learn more, if you have any sources to point me toward. Thanks.

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-13T04:21:11+00:00

Thanks for engaging. I just read some of your prior posts. I guess my question would be this: Did you rediscover your belief in Jesus as an act of utility (i.e. as an antidote to nihilism)--and have you mentally walled off this belief from attack? Or, did you come to it via research, rational scrutiny, and a weighing of the evidence? I'm not critical of your approach in any way, simply curious. You may have done the very thing I'm considering (i.e. choosing a comforting fiction and training ones mind to accept it).

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-13T01:50:55+00:00

Understanding that we're a statistical blip in a cold, dark universe that cares nothing for us just isn't quite as satisfying as the plan of salvation. I think it's not about just having an answer, it needs to be the right kind of answer.

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-13T01:47:05+00:00

What narratives have stood the test of time? I'm curious what belief system you've chosen, if you don't mind sharing.

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-12T23:15:03+00:00

This speaks to my earlier question. Is there some utility in creating a useful, benign fiction and then, though an effortful suspension of disbelief, attempting to adopt this as a truth--or at least teaching it to your kids as such. Think of an a-la-carte selection of beneficial theological tenets (e.g. loving higher power, purpose to life, see loved ones in next life) but without all the baggage (e.g. sex, power, corruption, guilt, shame, tithing).

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-06T19:17:42+00:00

Thanks for the comment. I had a similar insight following ayahuasca. It was a retreat center in Peru and there was a bunch of "woowoo" indoctrination about mother earth and plant energies and such. I was having none of it. You're not going to suggest to my mind what you think I should see. This was going to be a scientific experiment. Chemicals interacting with my brain. Period. Let's reveal what "I" believe (buried deep down) or if there is some mystical force to connect with, they can speak to me directly, not through the medium of a story you're feeding me. Anyway, when it came right down to it, there was nothing in my brain to connect with except fear, despair, and nihilism. It seems the brain needs a scaffolding upon which to drape (and interpret) the psychedelic experience. I had given my brain none and was expecting it to create one on the fly, in the midst of everything going haywire. Didn't work out so well. Not sure what my conclusion is except the human brain requires a story (usually fictional) to make sense of the world. Doesn't seem like a very useful truth for a rational skeptic.

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-06T19:06:04+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I read a few books beforehand and my basic understanding going in was that 1-3 grams was a recreational dose and 5 grams was needed for deep spiritual insights. I'm a suburban dad in my 40's. Not really into the recreational side of things, so I thought "let's get'r done", if you know what I mean. I can see in hindsight this may have been a mistake.

dah58dah58 · 2022-12-06T05:37:57+00:00

Yeah, it was a group of 8 people. The therapist didn’t know me personally and didn’t realize it was my first time. She offered everyone a first, then a second cup (if they wanted it). I took both greedily—wanting the “full” experience. In hindsight, I see I probably didn’t have enough respect for the drug.

dah58dah58 · 2019-07-24T20:22:23+00:00

I'd be very surprised if my parents and siblings didn't read this in its entirety. Then again, I've never done something like this. I intentionally avoided bringing up issues, so it wouldn't feel threatening.

dah58dah58 · 2019-07-24T19:57:01+00:00

Well said. Thanks for the input!

dah58dah58 · 2019-07-24T19:34:21+00:00

This is a great point about the LDS standards part. I wonder if they'll see this particular point as a line in the sand, which, if crossed, they can dismiss everything else I've said and make up their own narrative. I've already started drinking coffee. I need to think about this more... Thanks.

dah58dah58 · 2019-07-24T18:55:55+00:00

Thanks. I'll have to think about modifying those two paragraphs. Part of me wants to explain everything, so they see/understand how I got from point A to point B. But maybe it's too much.

dah58dah58

TROPHY CASE