Sativa, Satya, Sadhus – Cannabis and the Indian Ascetic – Latest cannabis news today

Cannabis in the ascetic way of life in India

Did you know that it is quite common to find sadhus or Indian ascetics regardless of the sect consuming cannabis or hashish? In fact, it wouldn’t be uncommon to see dozens of sadhus living in huts and smoking cannabis all day. They use water pipes or special water pipes or chillums to smoke hash and cannabis. Although cannabis use is illegal in Nepal, its use is quite widespread, especially during religious festivals.

Photo by Biswarup Ganguly, courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Such cannabis use does not contradict the ascetic’s renunciation according to Indian traditions and scriptures. Indeed, some religious texts hold the substance to be associated with Lord Shiva and closely related to mysticism. In addition, scientific studies have shown that most sadhus use cannabis on a daily basis. A third of the sadhus surveyed believed that grass should be an integral part of the Hindu way of life.

The life of the sadhus

The main focus of the sadhu is to achieve the greatest possible discipline, rigor and self-control. The daily routine is intended to purify the body and lift the mind to a higher state. The means of the Indian ascetics are to recite sacred verses, preferably in their original, thousand-year-old Sanskrit language.

The other essential part of the ascetic is prayers. The ascetic owes nothing except a stick made of wood, a begging pot, typically made of aluminum, and a cloth bag. The latter usually hold the few possessions that sadhus can keep, such as copies of sacred texts, religious items, and a spoon. Sadhus are expected to satisfy their hunger only by begging for food and sustenance. They shun all other handouts, including money, and prefer to avoid the problems that the world and its objects pose. Peace both for himself and for all existence is the only goal that the ascetic strives for.

However, not all sadhus adhere to such a strict form of spirituality. Many Indian ascetics perform part-time duties as occult practitioners. Some of the actions they take to complement their begging lot are:

• Fortune telling
• Providing spiritual guidance and mentoring
• Manufacture and sale of amulets and talismans called Kavachas
• exorcism
• Tickling people with feather dusters
• tattoo
• Juggle
• To sing
• Providing spiritual interpretation of dreams
• Sale of Ayurvedic herbs for medicinal purposes and making potions
• Spells work
• Reading palm trees

The reasons behind the popularity of cannabis among sadhus

The mood-enhancing effects of cannabis are well known. This, together with the emotional state induced by the drug, facilitates and increases the spiritual perception. The goal of the Indian ascetic in using cannabis is purely spiritual. ie to feel one with God, to connect with the highest consciousness that connects us all. Like many other psychedelic drugs, cannabis produces different results when consumed. The latter depends heavily on the current mental state of the person and on what they want to achieve by consuming the drug. It can be used both to escape reality and society for temporary ecstasy and bliss, while promoting universal unity. Sadhus believe that the effects of cannabis help purify the soul, and they see the substance in an almost semi-divine light. It makes them turn inward, focus, focus – the key elements of a satisfying meditation session or other type of spiritual experience.

Whether you are contemplating the true nature of life and the universe or trying to feel at one with the highest consciousness, the spiritual effects of cannabis, when used correctly, are indeed profound.