Drugless Paths to the Mystical Expeience

[Joseph Tracy]

Meant to post this to the list earlier, probably all been covered by now.

Cool discussion all the way around. 

 I find qigong is my most powerful and accessible practice with wonderful effects on physical maintainence and health. There are those who use it as a path into  profound mystical trance states; takes discipline and tenacity. For me it is an instant change of mental state and energy flow which works much better than yoga.

  There is a shamanic tradition of drumming to induce trance promoted by many including The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, a group founded by Michael Harner who was one of the anthropologists who first reported on ayahuasca.  

Holotropic breathwork works for many.

Making art can be pretty mind altering.

If you are looking for something on the order of Ayahuasca, my understanding is that one of the few non- drug methods that is similar in intensity is 8-9 days in absolute darkness. This requires either someone set up to provide the experience and feed you etc. or a lot of preparation.    Apparently the pineal gland eventually releases  a powerful amount of DMT.  

I think that one of the hard things about non chemical holotropic states is they require a disciplined break from daily routine. Fasting, sweat baths, chanting, drumming, vision quest, deep meditation, kundalini, wilderness immersion - they all have the best chance when the disciple is deeply and singularly focused.