Comments by "Mark Pawelek" (@mark4asp) on "Lecture: Biblical Series VI: The Psychology of the Flood" video.

  1. Regarding some of the questions at the end. Hallucinogens - are sometimes linked to personal enlightenment, or egolessness, and then linked to Buddhist concepts. The hallucinogen experience is NOT like the above. Writers like Leary and Huxley were reckless and irresponsible, to imply there was some kind of connection. The term 'Enlightenment' should be reserved for the Western concept which is derived from the collective intellectual project of Western thinkers from 17th century on. See Immanuel Kant "What is Enlightenment?". Buddhists already have technical terms for mystical insight: Nirvana, bodhi, or even 'awakening' (if you MUST use a Western word). Use the Eastern terms for these experiences. The 'hallucinogen' experience is better associated with 'mystical' experience of drug use in indigenous American society. Use mystic-drug-use - if you must us a term. The experience is hit-and-miss; often within the same session. Literally 'heaven and hell' as Huxley put it. It is pretty much essential to have guides who aren't on drugs on standby to help you if you get into a psychological mess during hallucinogen use. Read up on 'set and setting' . I feel qualified to write about this because I experienced all 3 states above: Western Enlightenment is simply thinking for oneself. 'Dare to think' as Kant described it. It requires a technical understanding of debate, evidence, avoiding logical fallacies, ... Because the first person to fool is yourself! It's an on-going process. It literally never stops! There will always be some socially accepted fallacy your mind, or society, got conned into; which explains why you always need to examine the evidence for yourself. Buddhist Enlightenment (Zen, Nirvana) is best achieved by following technical Buddhist meditation and practice: 'Loving-Kindness' (in one's thought, action, and meditation), and Zen meditation. It is key to conquer one's wondering mind, endless speculation, ... Once more: an on-going process. PS: 'Loving-Kindness' is a technical term in Buddhism.
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