Humans have used medicinal plants and sacred herbs for thousands of years. The fact that marijuana continues to be used in spiritual practices even today tells a story about its effectiveness. What are the magical properties of weed that have kept it in use for so long?
Are you interested in spirituality and want to know how to use cannabis in that setting? Our guide looks at the history of weed in the metaphysical space, some properties of the plant, and ideas you can put into practice.
Many proponents of cannabis use in spirituality choose to source their own indica, hybrid, and sativa seeds.
While you’re waiting for your crops to flower, let’s delve into cannabis and spirituality.
Cannabis as an Entheogen
Entheogen is a psychoactive substance that can change your perception, particularly when extracted from plants and used in a religious or spiritual setting.
People have used the leaves, flowers, and seeds of the cannabis plant for at least 4,500 years, and it was used as a medicine as early as 900 BCE.
The roots of cannabis are planted firmly in various spiritual and religious practices, including Hinduism, Rastafarianism, and Islam. Indigenous belief systems from Africa, Asia, and elsewhere have also recorded its use.
The human race has known how to use cannabis spiritually for a long time!
Hinduism and Cannabis
The Vedic texts, Hindu holy scriptures, refer to cannabis as one of the five sacred plants. These literary works reveal that a guardian angel lives in the leaves and that it’s a source of happiness.
In the Samudra Manthan, Lord Shiva consumed bhang (cannabis) to restore his health after ingesting a massive amount of poison. To honor this, people meet in Kathmandu, consume marijuana, and chant Lord Shiva’s name.
Rastafarianism and Ganja
Bob Marley was a notable spiritual stoner, and while he was a proponent of cannabis consumption, he never took it recreationally. Instead, Marley used it for more spiritual purposes like other Rastafarians.
“Ganja in my meditation…purify my heaven and make my thoughts pure.”
Cannabis use in Rastafarianism has been traced back to the 19th century. Hindus working as enslaved people in Jamaica brought with them the practice of using marijuana. From there, the religious practice of Rastafarianism and the consumption of this sacred herb became intertwined.
Spiritual Use of Marijuana in the Modern Day
Marijuana and spirituality seem to go hand in hand, but where does it all fit in today’s world?
Many people use cannabis to create a sense of peace in their minds before meditating. By shutting off some of the outside world’s noise, marijuana allows you a deeper level of introspection that would usually be difficult to reach.
Dee Dussault is the creator of Ganja Yoga, she has 25 years of experience and is a longstanding cannabis advocate. The best-selling author firmly believes in marijuana’s power in helping achieve states of relaxation and stress relief otherwise tough to obtain.
Does weed have what it takes to help you reap the rewards of an elevated mind?
Magical Marijuana
Many people are drawn to the apparently magical properties of weed and use it regularly to help with various aspects of their lives.
The most well-known effect of cannabis is that it acts as a relaxant. After consumption, users often feel a sense of deep calm, as if their troubles have drifted away. Stress relief is another benefit closely tied in.
Marijuana can help heighten your senses and make you more aware of your surroundings and body; it’s great for self-discovery.
Sativa vs. Indica: Don’t Strain Yourself
The first thing to clarify is that there are two distinct types of marijuana, indica, and sativa; both are very different.
Sativa is associated more with creativity and stimulation. People use these strains for a boost in energy and self-revitalization.
Indica strains produce more full-body effects and are used as a sleep aid, to relieve anxiety and stress, and for relaxation.
Choose an appropriate strain depending on what kind of spiritual activities you want to participate in. For example, a very energizing one could hinder your efforts to reach a deep meditation.
Putting Ideas into Practice
What are some spiritual things to do while high? We’re going to look at some ideas to get you started.
You might be looking for other tools to help on your journey to true enlightenment.
Most people recommend that you learn to do whatever it is sober first before trying it in conjunction with weed.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a form of meditation that involves observing your thoughts and feelings. This practice is perfect for doing when stoned.
Getting started can be as simple as sitting quietly and following your breath. The idea is that your breath relaxes to a more natural rhythm, and you begin to feel a deep relaxation.
Cannabis is known to help its users relax, so a dose of weed before practicing following your breath could help to get faster results.
Spiritual Pondering
Have you got a spiritual question or issue and can’t seem to put your finger on the answer? Throughout history, many shamans and spiritual practitioners have used marijuana to help them unravel problems and reach more profound levels of understanding.
Taking marijuana before philosophizing could help open yourself up to new ideas and bring you closer to an answer.
Divination
If you, like many, enjoy using tools such as Tarot cards, numerology, I-Ching, or any other methods of divination, then weed could help the process.
Some Tarot readers say that consuming marijuana allows them to overcome their ego and get a more profound sense of the cards’ message.
Staying Safe
Curiosity killed the cat, and satisfaction brought it back. Any psychoactive substance carries a risk, but many people think it’s worth it. Plant spirituality traces back to history and seems to have helped many individuals.
It’s best to work within your own limits to ensure that you aren’t putting yourself in any danger. Do your research about the appropriate dosages for whatever practice you try.
