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Depending on recreational drugs means one left one’s inner integrity and happiness for others’ merchandise; doing so leaves one fragmented, twisted, and distorted (and not in the “good” way). I just read about how Montana’s drug problem is skyrocketing out of control… causing devastating results for the state and acting to ruin the economy in many areas. Needless to say, this is also occurring all across the U.S. Life can be extremely tough for most everyone in this day and age, and drugs are an escape. It takes great courage not to escape; it also takes intelligence. Recreational drugs distort the mind… and a mind that is distorted easily makes excuses, easily allows itself to fall into deeper and deeper distortion. Prescription drugs are being abused more and more; and, of course, it’s even easier to rationalize the over-usage of those. In some states, marijuana is being issued as a prescription drug; no doubt many are using it who have no substantial ailment. In India, there are people who take hashish frequently — which contains THC, just like pot does here — and when they die, autopsies reveal that their brains are shrunken, just like with the brains of alcoholics.
Multitudes are addicted to many things which become their drugs… junk foods, cigarettes, alcohol, video games, etc. It’s so easy to depend on crutches, on habits… and on things that others sell to us, saying that it will alter our minds to be “happier.” However, the mind can only be lastingly happy, joyous, and blissful without habitually depending on drugs and substances that allegedly “make” you happy (temporarily); temporary (and distorted) is always a fragmentary, darkly limited thing. Lasting joy must come from within, wherein one is a light to oneself. Beyond dependency, that light is not of distortion.
Excerpts from the unrightfully rejected ancient Gospel of Thomas, which also occur in my “Eternal Fountain of Youth” book (with permission from the Biblical scholar-translators):
Jesus said: “Show me the stone that the builders rejected: That is the cornerstone.”
Jesus said: … “I found all of them all drunk; I found none of them thirsty. And my soul became afflicted for the sons of men, because they are blind in their hearts and do not have sight; for empty they came into the world, and empty too they seek to leave the world. But for the moment they are intoxicated. When they shake off their wine, then they will repent.”
“If one is (whole), one will be filled with light, but if one is divided, one will be filled with darkness.”
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Distorted and fragmented — but in a good, (whole), artistic way. Photo by Thomas Peace 2015
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
wise guidance, Thomas!
i can understand many’s desire
to end pain by self medicating 🙂
Excellent post! I was just listening to an author this morning who said that 95% of our thoughts are of lies we tell ourselves… creating much misery in our lives. It’s no wonder we indulge in activities and substances to numb our pain. I have been there many times, and I have understanding. But breaking free, being responsible, and making better responses and choices about dealing with our pain is so liberating and freeing in letting go of the misery.
Thanks, and interesting points from both of you!
Using drugs for real and legitimate physical pain or real problems is one thing (that is sometimes very necessary); using them for recreational purposes is (of course) something else.
This may seem ridiculous, but thought, in and of itself is — in its own way — a form of suffering. When one clings to symbol after symbol — and all thoughts are merely symbolic representations — it’s (in a real way) like clinging to fabricated signs and shadows… rather than a deeper reality. Wrong education has made most all of us fall into the “over usage of thoughts and images” category. Don’t struggle or make it an issue to transcend beyond thoughts (as symbols and images)… because then it would put one into another arrangement of patterns, conflict, and desires (which are all thoughts anyway). Just effortlessly relax mentally now and then and perceive without all that jumble. Thought/thinking is a tool (a useful tool). However, too many of us have over-identified with the tool and have made it the essence of the organism.