Meditation and Marijuana

As I sat here trying to figure out what to write today I had trouble landing on something. It’s not writer’s block. I have lots of ideas, and I always have lots to say. It’s just that when I am stressed out, I can have difficulty with focusing. Stress is a bitch! Luckily, so am I.

My mind finally settled on meditation as a topic for today, because that sort of going inside myself and just “being” – that letting go, is precisely what I need in times like this to overcome the negative effects of stress. Then I realized that the topic wasn’t complete in and of itself (for me). So, though it might seem like an odd pairing to some, I decided to talk about both meditation and marijuana.

Let me go back for a minute. Last week I talked about pen names. I did that for a reason. For those of us who want to teach in academia (I don't really want to, but it is my back-up plan), or any professional realm really, we need to be very mindful about how we put ourselves “out there” on social media. I am just not the kind of person who wants to hide anything about who I am. I have fought like a warrior all my life just to keep being who I am, and I’m damn sure not about to stop now because some professional who might interview me has a narrow, preconceived notion of every single person who smokes weed, practices Wicc, or speaks up against the government. So, this is a safe place that I can do so – and prospective employers never have to know. So, here I am talking about weed. Only, when most people see that, they become so closed minded that they don’t even think about anything else I am saying. It’s as if the only words written on the page become “I’m a stoner.” And that, my friends is what happens when you judge someone without being open-minded and actually listening. All the other things about them metaphorically disappear off of “the page.” So, think about this – challenge yourself to really listen without judgement. You might learn something.

I guess the funny (controversial to some) thing is that I see meditation and marijuana as offering me nearly the same benefits. It isn't so far fetched really, lots of ancient and spiritual groups have used it in much the same way. They are merely tools that I use to go more deeply inside of myself. I have always been a very introspective person, and I feel that being so in-tune with yourself is the only way you can grow spiritually.

Now, let me jump around a little. Let me say that I don’t meditate as often as I should, I will admit. Why? Well, because I am so picky about when and where I do so. I am working slowly but surely on being more minimalistic. I already do so in many ways, but I just have a lot of material junk that I am trying to unload still (to move toward my ultimate dream of living in a tiny home). It’s the poor layout of our apartment and all this stuff that makes it hard for me to meditate. Is this an excuse? Maybe, but it’s just my reality at this point. I am in the infancy of mediation, and I just feel I need a great space to practice. I’m working on it.

With weed on the other hand – I could care less if the place is a total mess. It’s easier too – which is the one “weakness” I will admit to when it comes to weed. I believe that almost everything (relationships, careers etc..) take hard work to master. The same can be said for meditation, and so, I do know I need to work harder on incorporating it regularly into my life. But weed is easy. It works anywhere (except when I am driving – please note that I do NOT condone weeding and driving under any circumstances).

A really good friend (one who truly listens, is always open-minded) expressed once that she felt it was merely an escape. I have a few thought about that. First of all – what’s wrong with escape? Why the fuck wouldn’t we human being want to escape from this reality sometimes? It is hard to be a human being. And, to take it further, being an American – let’s just say it’s not for everyone, but you can’t choose where you were born, and not all of us can afford to move. And escape comes in lots of forms – substances, food, work, religion, sex….the list goes on. But some are more excused than others. We are all just a complex mess, really.

So, In true Janis spirit, yea, I escape sometimes. But here’s the thing – some people think of escape as if it is this place of nothingness that you go to. This stereotypical, brain dead, “duh” kind of place. Not so! Not for me anyway. Like I said, weed has connected me to myself in the same spiritual way that meditation has. Please don’t tell me that it’s bad for my lungs. I am an educated woman and I know that. (At the moment I do smoke, but if I could get my hands on other forms like edibles or get my atomizer repaired, I would change it up a bit) But there are lots of things that we make the choice of doing that aren’t the healthiest.

Essentially, I escape from other stuff only to connect to myself, and I just can’t see how that is wrong. I have faced some terrifying yet freeing truths since I have mindfully embarked on my spiritual journey two years ago. And weed is only one of my tools. Writing and community, and holistic health and nature are also a part of my journey.

There are many arguments to be had about weed (on both sides), and I feel that I have heard them all. I could go on a lot longer, but I will revisit this topic another time. I hope that as you read this you’ll just think twice about assuming you know who a stoner is simply because they’re a stoner. Remember, your choices aren’t right for everyone. Open your mind enough to see that, in the end, each of us is a spirit, not a personification of a label. While there are stoners who drive recklessly and do harmful stuff, there are those of us too who are scholars and activists, lovers and artists, and folks who are simply living our lives our way. Namaste.

~ Peace and Love, Tracey

© Tracey Love, 2015. All rights reserved.