Ok, heroin is physically addictive because it mirrors our own "home-made" opiates, like endorphins. If we take it for extended periods of time, our endorphins don't need to pump anymore, and the opiates take over. If you come off it the next day, there is usually no withdrawal. If you've taken it for long enough, you'll feel a body without endorphins - painful. Comparable to a vicious flu fever.
Knowing this, why would anybody take it for extended periods of time? Sheer psychological dependency and lack of willpower. And please don't give me this nonsense about people committing crimes against their families for the drug. These people are criminals without the drug. They are taking the drug because something has already snapped in them to the point where they couldn't care less about themselves and the people around them.
They did not take opium to receive mystic insights on the scale of Kubla Khan, or to assist in Zen and Yogic meditation, or even for the lucidity of a stilled mind. There is a HUGE difference.
Labelling herbalist alchemical practise with nihilistic criminality is just not where it's at. Calling me a junkie because I choose to use all God's plants wisely is very different to me calling the Matrixist website irresponsible because it's reactionary and pushes drama over actual content.
As for acid. True, it's not known to be physically addictive. However, there is a very real and documented psychological addiction. It's a beautiful and important part of the shaman's garden, but it's risks need to be.
Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps only in my deluded fantasy do people occasionally freak out, end up in murder cults, develop incurable recurring flashbacks, kill themselves, or develop paranoias about demons. Yes that's it. Really, in the REAL world, I'm sure people trip along happily with nothing but a copy of Doors of Perception (and understand all the heavy language) and a handful of Matrixian Symbol posters to stick up. Sweet. If only there were a drug that could get me there!
When I took LSD I had made my choice. I still stand by it. The NASA astronauts that died on their way to the moon knew it was a possibility. They were willing to stake their lives on the chance that they would advance science for humankind, and make history in the process. Nobody put up posters saying "Fly to the Moon, it'll be fine..."
When I first started in herbalism, alchemy and mysticism, I was taught to understand and respect the role ALL medicines play in improving our lives spiritually and physically, the risks and dangers involved with each one, and that education stood me in good stead.
God, if I could count the amount of misguided reactionaries I've seen ranting on about the movies they've seen and the acid trips they've had, it makes me really sad. All the screaming, freaking out and floods of tears have made me stronger, but I'm one of the lucky ones.
I have no problem with you believing in the coming of The One, really. Or even taking a good metaphor (and it was a good one, if derivative and a blatant Hollywood cash-cow) and using it as a guide on your journey of inner discovery. If you REALLY believe that this one website is how you would like your spirituality to be defined, then I can't really dis your Matrixism, or Pathism.
In fact, I'd like to compare experiences and findings with you.
But I'd have to see something that says this isn't just some guy sticking up a few assorted ideas based on a movie, backing it up with a FAQ that is a complete mishmash of religious and philosophical quotes mixed in with a "you don't really have to do anything" clause.
I mean, is this a genuine path? The website says it's a religion based on a movie. Then goes on to tell you to join another religion and wait for the messiah. What is it? Is it a mystic discipline? Which Abrahamic traditions? A way of life? Or just another Join Me or King Danny? Come on, even the Discordians are more organised! The Church of the Subgenius has more inspiration. And they never get much airtime on these forums.
Now obviously, if we're up for criticising each others way of life, we're up for getting it. I don't really mind being called a Junkie or having my beliefs ripped on, because it's all in good humour, isn't it? If you did any damage to my philosophy I would thank you. As I'm sure you would.
I think you run a little deeper than that. Peace, dude...
