4 ms·

I largely agree with what you are saying. When I say that psychedelics are "not necessary", I mean exactly that. I don't mean to say that they're evil, or even

I largely agree with what you are saying. When I say that psychedelics are "not necessary", I mean exactly that. I don't mean to say that they're evil, or even that they do more harm than good, because I don't think either is true. I think they're one path to something that can be attained through more difficult but, in the long term, safer means. I don't know where you get the idea that Indian culture celebrates severe schizophrenia. It doesn't. In fact, the contentions some people have that schizophrenia is an asset in other cultures is untrue. That belief comes from a time in which this illness was poorly understood and sloppily (read: too easily) diagnosed in other societies. In all cultures, actual schizophrenia is a disadvantage. However, having traits often classified as schizotypal can be an advantage in some cultures.

contingencies 14y ago
> I don't know where you get the idea that Indian culture celebrates severe schizophrenia It's a near-direct quote from an Austrian mental health professional I encountered in Indonesia some months back. Also, it is generally supported by the rather broader minded approach to mystics and non-mainline-society people's physical presence on the street and within broader society that is immediately evident to the traveller in India, as well as in other developing world countries. > ... in other cultures ... in all cultures ... Big claims. I would wager that you have not spent much time living longer-term in cultures significantly distinct from the west.
- michaelochurch 14y ago
  Mysticism != severe schizophrenia. One is a variety of spiritual practice pursued by healthy people seeking divine communion, enlightenment, or some other desirable but hard-to-attain spiritual state. The other is a problem, usually with the physical brain, that harms the ability to perceive reality and often causes immense suffering for the person who has it.

contingencies 14y ago

> I don't know where you get the idea that Indian culture celebrates severe schizophrenia It's a near-direct quote from an Austrian mental health professional I encountered in Indonesia some months back. Also, it is generally supported by the rather broader minded approach to mystics and non-mainline-society people's physical presence on the street and within broader society that is immediately evident to the traveller in India, as well as in other developing world countries. > ... in other cultures ... in all cultures ... Big claims. I would wager that you have not spent much time living longer-term in cultures significantly distinct from the west.

michaelochurch 14y ago
Mysticism != severe schizophrenia. One is a variety of spiritual practice pursued by healthy people seeking divine communion, enlightenment, or some other desirable but hard-to-attain spiritual state. The other is a problem, usually with the physical brain, that harms the ability to perceive reality and often causes immense suffering for the person who has it.