Science, the “good dog” and The Way

In Tews' day's mailbox...

Whether it feels that way or not, each new day is in fact new—as is each new instant. This moment that you are experiencing right now as you read this has never actually occurred before. Any mostly good dog will attest to this fact.

Meanwhile, science continues to affirm the “good dog” fact, if you’ll allow the metaphor.

There's a lot of info/chat/online flotsam and jetsam about the potential value of psychedelics in mental health. It's taken the health research community a bit-of-a-while to come around to this closer look at what some of us have come to understand through experience and shared anecdotally.

That said, I'm reminded of a comment I heard said by Richard Alpert at least 30 years ago. I recall him responding to a question put to him regarding his use of LSD in his last years at Harvard with Tim Leary before becoming “Ram Dass” at the end of his India journey. As I recall he said that acid and the other psychedelics were potentially valuable at “opening the door” to the spiritual reality beyond the mundane one we habitually occupy; and he added a strong “but” noting that there's no need to return to the drug once the door has been opened. His point was that once aware of the spiritual reality available to us we can access it anytime, anywhere without the aid of any substance. Many mystics and indigenous peoples have encountered “the great mystery” – what Lao Tzu called “The Way” – without a substance assist.

THAT said...the scientific interest in psychedelics has the potential of bringing effective benefits to those afflicted with a myriad of chronic conditions such as PTSD, depression, and bipolar experiences to name a few.