In many religions, cannabis has long been seen as a sacred plant. From Hinduism to Rastafarianism, cannabis is used as part of spiritual rituals.
In ancient cultures, cannabis is known as a cleansing herb for both the body and spirit. In Taoism, for example, it was used to purify the mind and enhance spiritual progress.
Hinduism
There is no doubt that cannabis has played an important role in the religious and spiritual lives of people throughout history. For example, many ancient religions and mystical practitioners used the plant as a sacred sacrament, a way to bring peace and healing to the body and mind.
The earliest use of cannabis in religious ceremonies is believed to have occurred in India, where the weed plant has been associated with worship of Shiva and the ecstatic dance practice known as bhang. The sacrament was also consumed in ancient China, where it is thought that shamanistic figures used it to communicate with the spirits and deities of the land.
Across the world, religious seekers have long sought to cultivate peak-experiences that enable them to experience ecstasy and joy in order to resolve the dichotomies and conflicts of their life. As a psychoactive, cannabis can facilitate these peak experiences and offer religious seekers access to increased imagination and creativity, heightened perspective and insight, and deeper levels of thought.
In his book Sacred Bliss: A Spiritual History of Cannabis, author Michael Ferrara reveals that cannabis has been used to achieve these peak-experiences across the globe for thousands of years. He engages texts from throughout religious history, including the Bible, to reveal that cannabis has provided a way to achieve these spiritual states.
He explores how the sacrament can provide access to spontaneous movement, ecstatic dance, and sitting meditation. He also explains how to harness the plant’s psychoactive effects for purposes of spiritual growth and self-transcendence.
Although the role of cannabis in Hinduism is still unclear, it is a popular choice for many modern religious seekers. Historically, the use of marijuana has been linked with shamanism in India and Nepal, where wandering sadhus have smoked charas (cannabis) to achieve samadhi, or transcendence.
A growing number of followers of Rastafarianism in Jamaica, a pan-Asian, Caribbean-based movement, are incorporating the ceremonial consumption of cannabis into their faith. While some Rastafarians consider the cannabis herb to be holy, others simply rever it as a symbol of strength and purity.
Rastafarianism
Cannabis is used for a variety of purposes in the Rastafarian religion, including for worship and Bible study. It is a highly regarded sacrament and a powerful tool for spiritual transformation. It is also seen as a source of divine inspiration and wisdom.
The most common use of marijuana by Rastafarians is in what are known as “reasoning sessions,” or meditation gatherings. These meetings usually involve music, chanting, and a smoking of cannabis.
Reasoning sessions are a part of Rastafarian worship and are held in a believers’ homes or community centres. The members of the meeting may share a pipe of cannabis and discuss communal issues. They also discuss visions and new ideas for the church.
These meetings are referred to as “groundings,” and are often held under an elder. The purpose of these gatherings is to bring together the rastafarians to talk about their interpretation of the religion, its philosophy and how it relates to current events.
In the past, a Rastafarian may have only attended these gatherings with other members of their community. However, in recent years many members have traveled to other parts of the world and started attending these gatherings with non-members.
Those who attend these meetings are often dressed in a rastafarian outfit, which usually includes dreadlocks. These dreadlocks are believed to be a symbol of the Lion of Judah, and are in contrast with the straight blond hair that is common in white society.
Some people choose to wear dreadlocks for religious reasons as well. Some believe it is a sign of purity, while others feel it is a way to rebel against white oppression and the establishment.
It is also seen as a spiritual aid in achieving certain goals in life, such as immortality. This is particularly the case for those who are members of the Rastafarian movement, which claims that Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia was the Messiah and that cannabis is the Tree of Life mentioned in the Bible.
Moreover, some members of the Rastafarian religion feel that the Bible is incomplete and has been mistranslated. They also believe that only half of the Bible is written and that the other half is hidden in a man’s heart.
Christianity
Throughout history, cannabis has been used as a means to experience spiritual states of bliss, ecstasy, and transcendence. The practice has been documented by shamans, yogis, and philosophers of every age.
In India, the ancient Vedic period (1700 BCE to 600 CE) referred to cannabis as an entheogen. An entheogen is a psychoactive substance that induces a spiritual or religious experience, causing the user to become more conscious or aware of their surroundings and the world around them.
Greek historian Herodotus wrote about the use of cannabis in ancient funerary rites by the Scythians, a nomadic people from Central Asia. In his book, he described their ceremonies in which hemp seeds were thrown onto hot stones to smoulder, creating an intoxicating smoke that the Scythians could inhale.
Herodotus also writes about the use of cannabis in shamanistic rituals and as an aphrodisiac. This ancient practice was widely adapted by many other cultures and religions.
For instance, shamanistic practices in India and other parts of the world centered on seeking God without the usual emotional distress associated with grief or sorrow. These practices were said to be rooted in an ancient understanding that the body and mind are part of the same spiritual entity, and the body is a sacred space.
Some shamanistic traditions even equated the effects of marijuana to a divine intervention, whereby one achieves an unnatural state of euphoria that can help them access a deeper realm of consciousness and intuition.
While the relationship between cannabis and Christianity is still being debated, it’s clear that the practice of incorporating cannabis into spiritual practices has been a longstanding tradition in a wide variety of religions. From Hinduism to the Catholic Church, cannabis has been embraced as a way to help people connect with their higher selves and experience transcendental states of being.
A growing number of semi-organized religious communities are adopting cannabis-centered creeds that espoused love, unity, tolerance, and kindness. These groups, along with the looser affiliations of cannabis-focused shamans and healers, have begun to flourish throughout the world.
Islam
Cannabis plays a crucial role in many religious and spiritual practices. It can be used to help us tame negative thoughts and feelings, increase motivation, boost self-esteem and resolve conflict or dichotomies.
The use of cannabis in these spiritual practices can vary from person to person, depending on their needs and the amount of cannabis they are taking. Some people experience a euphoric feeling, while others might feel drowsy or restless.
One of the most common ways to consume cannabis is in the form of bhang or hashish. This is a mixture of cannabis leaves and resin. It is used to make a high, and is believed to be beneficial for reducing pain, insomnia, and nausea.
It’s also been reported that it helps with anxiety and depression. However, it’s important to remember that there is no medical proof that cannabis helps treat these disorders.
A few studies have shown that it can be helpful to use cannabis in conjunction with meditation, prayer and other spiritual activities. These activities have been found to help people reach a state of deep peace and calm.
The use of cannabis in religious and spiritual activities dates back to ancient times. Some of the first references to it can be found in the Bible. These include Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
While many religious scholars have interpreted these verses as prohibiting the use of all intoxicants, there are a few who argue that cannabis is permissible. This is because it is not a form of alcohol, and its positive effects far outweigh any intoxicating effects.
Another interesting fact about cannabis is that it can be used to fight off evil spirits and demons. This is why Shinto priests wave bundles of weed over people who are possessed by demons.
In the Muslim world, cannabis is halal (permissible). It is believed that it is a safe and effective drug for treating chronic diseases and other health conditions. The Islamic law is based on the principle of life and death, and so it allows forbidden acts if they are necessary for saving lives.
