Description
Book SynopsisAn exploration of the use of cannabis as a sacrament in spiritual practice
• Provides instructions for using marijuana for the spiritual practices of spontaneous movement, ecstatic dance, sitting meditation, and gazing meditation, allowing you to open the body’s energies more fully and get closer to the Divine or your higher self
• Includes a new translation of the Five Moral Precepts of Buddhism, adapted to include energetic practices and the judicious use of entheogenic substances as a legitimate support for spiritual growth
With the end of marijuana prohibition on the horizon, people are now openly seeking a spiritual path that embraces the benefits of cannabis. Drawing upon his decades of experience as a teacher of Buddhism, breathing, yoga, and embodied spirituality, Will Johnson examines Eastern spiritual perspectives on marijuana and offers specific guidelines and exercises for integrating cannabis into spiritual practice.
The author explains how the great Hindu god Shiva enjoyed consuming bhang, a marijuana mixture that would cause his body to make spontaneous movements. From these cannabis-inspired movements, Shiva brought the body-focused practices of dance and yoga to the world. Examining the spiritual path of Shiva, including the Sadhu tradition, Johnson provides specific instructions and protocols for using marijuana as a sacrament as Shiva did.
Trade Review“
Cannabis in Spiritual Practice is a wonderful combination of practical advice and fascinating history, offered up without preaching or judgment. If you’ve ever been curious about how cannabis can enhance your devotional life or your yoga or meditation practice, this is an excellent place to start exploring.” * Robyn Griggs Lawrence, author of The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook *
“Will Johnson has a clear understanding of the human ‘mindbody,’ how we limit ourselves, how we can free ourselves from those limitations to awaken to unconditioned reality, and how cannabis can play a valuable role in that awakening journey when used skillfully. His articulation of these central human concerns is as clear as his understanding.
Cannabis in Spiritual Practice seamlessly blends principle and practice into accessible, applicable guidance.” * Stephen Gray, author of Cannabis and Spirituality *
“For those who value the herb for her limitless potential,
Cannabis in Spiritual Practice is the next level. Highly recommend.” * Graham Hancock, author of Fingerprints of the Gods and Supernatural *
Table of ContentsPART 1
Calm Mind of Buddha The Focusing of Awareness and the Calming of Mind
Purifying the Mind, Healing the Body
The Sutra of the Sitting Buddha
Passing through the Barrier of the Egoic Fiction
The Safe Haven of the Precepts
PART 2 Ecstatic Body of Shiva The Celebration of the Life Force
The Dance of Shiva
The Sutra of the Dancing Shiva
Opening to the Organic Currents of the Life Force through Yoga, Meditation, and Breath
The Sitting Dance of Shiva
Balloon Breathing
Internal Cleansing Breathing Embracing Nature:
Gazing and the Dance of Touch
Merging Back into the One through Gazing at Your Great Friend
The Dance of Sex Church Is Where the Music Is
Entering into the One Sound
The Five Precepts of Embodied Responsibility
Afterword: Meetings in the Field
Embodied Mindfulness Cannabis in Spiritual Practice
Audio Tracks, Reading Suggestions, and Acknowledgments
Index
