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Page 2 of 5 Someone asks for more information on Cancerian's religion, apologetic for not knowing more.
No need to apologize for not knowing more about the Native American Church. I don't even know what religion you practice... should I apologize? No, my friend... you strike me as a sincere and thoughtful individual, regarding your interest in peyote. Many of my Elders would argue the point with me, but I believe that the "intentions" behind the use of a plant like peyote are far more important than the rituals (pomp&circumstance) surrounding it. The rituals practiced in my branch of the Native American Church are unique and a bit divergent from the standardized practices, formalized by Quanna Parker in the 1800's. We use San Pedro as well as Grandfather Peyote. Also, our doctrines don't include Christian elements, like the "mainstream" NAC. Our rituals are based in some of the Plains Indian rituals in combination with rituals practiced by the indigenous peoples of Mexico (Huichol, Yaqui, etc..), and the curanderos of Central and South America. In that sense, our rituals are "more Indigenous American" and less formalized and westernized than the mainstream NAC. We believe that the spirits (creator) already knows what is in our hearts (prior to ingesting peyote) and will reveal his/her teachings to us (through the sacrament) based on our personal ability/willingness to learn with humility and sincerity. So, in that sense, I don't believe that you need to learn a bunch of empty ceremony in order to speak with god. I love MY church because the ceremonies we have adopted and developed make me feel closer to MY ancestors and MY history. I think that you could research your own ancestry and make your own rituals around the peyote plant that would perhaps put you in touch with the spirits of YOUR ancestors! We are all surrounded by the spirits of our forebears... they are there, waiting to guide you through the spirit realm. Their knowledge awaits you. It doesn't matter what rituals you use, I think, so long as your heart is pure and your intentions clear. Heck, if you follow the spirit path back far enough in time, we all came from the same source anyway... we are all OF GOD. The ritual is like the window dressing... it's not the "essence" of the experience... it's only a setting that gives context to the transcendental experience of seeing your creator. That said, I will answer what question I can, in regards to our rituals, but some things can't be revealed. To learn all of the rituals, you would have to be invited into our church by the Road Man (kinda like our Priest).
"It's just.. Beautiful! It truly is as though the veil has been lifted and you get to see the real motor that drives reality!"
Commenting more on the experience:
When using the brew alone, I like to suck on a lime after each draught to help me bear the bitter flavor. During the Road Ceremony, however, one has to endure the bitterness without aid. It's said that if one has a pure heart, you will not taste the bitterness. I must have a lot of purifying to do, because the taste always hits me with full force!!! Anyway, if you are not using this tea in a Ceremonial context, you should at least pay close attention to set and setting. As I've said before in earlier threads, you can make your own personal rituals that have significant meaning to you. This will help to focus your intentions, clear your energy, and open you up to the teachings and healings that you will most certainly receive. Understand that this is general information and that I do no condone this activity if you are living in a country where this is illegal. I am simply here to inform and to share ideas. As for the effects.... the onset is slow. You will spend an hour (maybe two) feeling sick to your stomach and wondering if perhaps you used the wrong cactus. In my Church, vomiting is not uncommon and is seen as bodily purification. I hate throwing up, so I always hold it in, personally. Soon, though, the nausea will fade and you will start to feel at ease. A new awareness will overcome you and suddenly the world will appear fresh and new, as though you had just only become aware that you are in fact alive and passing through an everlasting "present" that stretches into infinity. Your vision will become more acute. the most mundane objects will begin to glow with the most alarmingly beautiful internal light. The whole world will seem to be made of light, in fact! When you close your eyes, you may have stupefying internal visions... sometimes it it like looking into a multi-dimensional Navajo or Middle-Eastern rug! You get a glimpse of what "forever and ever" might actually look like from the window of God's house and see your place within the scheme of it all! Damn! I wish that I could retain more of that knowledge in my daily life! It's just.. Beautiful! It truly is as though the veil has been lifted and you get to see the real motor that drives reality! If more people weren't so fearful of this plant, I think that it would serve every clergyman from every religion to have this experience at least once in life! It's like God left a pre-paid calling card in the desert and you can use it to call him and say "Hi!", whenever you needed a new perspective or required some healing. I digress, though. The whole experience goes on for about ten to twelve hours. Sometimes you may reflect on past mistakes and cry like a baby. Other times you are left wide-eyed and empty-headed with the wonder of a newborn child. Sometimes you are shown things inside of yourself that you have tried to avoid dealing with for years. Whether blissful or hellish, you are shown exactly what it is that the Creator needs you to see about yourself. You have to have courage and face the lessons head-on. You can't hide from the face of God. Close your eyes and he will still be there.... you have made the choice and you will be in his classroom for the day, like it or not. Best to open your heart and learn, learn, LEARN!
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