Scotty Blaze

I will try my best to articulate what I wish to say here, so bear with me.

I'm in my 20's and i've always been at odds with many things, including the requirements of religion. I am religious, so to speak. I can't say that I am a devout person of my religion but, I feel like I have my own connection with a higher being that I don't feel should be dictated by others.

I'm a follower of the Sikh religion, as my parents brought up my brothers and I to follow in their religious footsteps, which has been passed down from generations. The odd thing is, I am the only one of my siblings who continues to follow the religion, as my brothers have all veered off and found solace in their own personal choices of religion.

When I said I wasn't a devout follower, I meant I don't fit the stereotype of the typical Sikh. When I was younger, my parents cut my hair (which they weren't supposed to do) so I never had to wear a patka (a wrap around the head) or a turban. I've never had to keep a beard. I don't know how to read or write in Gurmukhi, which is not necessarily a requirement but, is good to know. I don't recite all the prayers/hymns that we are supposed to everyday. Last but certainly not least, I have consumed alcoholic beverages, and I continue to smoke marijuana.

Ultimately, where I am trying to go with this is the after-life. I'm sure that i'm not the only one who wonders about it. Sometimes, my belief is that there is no after-life, that there is just eternal darkness once you die. Other times, I buy into the notion of the after-life.

According to my religion, there are two paths when you die. There's the path that leads you to The Realm of Truth (Sach Khand) which is where your soul goes to become one with god. Then, there's the other path, which is the cycles of Rebirth/Death. Basically, you come back to earth in the form of every living thing all the way until you return as a human being. The cycle continues until you can break it and reach Sach Khand.

I have asked many people in my family what it takes to reach Sach Khand. I've danced around the topic of intoxicants to see if they have anything to say about it, but mostly all of them say that you should just lead a good life. But, who really knows what it takes?

A lot of these religious doctrines were created when the religion first came to be, and times have certainly changed greatly since. Is it possible that with the times and ways of life changing, shouldn't certain aspects of religion change? I'd like to think so.

My parents don't know I smoke marijuana. I'm sure if they knew, they would feel disappointed in me. But then again, they certainly are oblivious to it and know very little about it.

An interesting point of reference to all this: My first experiences getting high was with one of my friends (a Sikh follower) as well as his brother (also a Sikh follower) who smoked us out.

My reasoning behind writing this was to maybe bring a little insight into a religion that some of you may not know much about, as well as find out what you all think about the after-life.

I'd like to reach that Realm of Truth someday, but I feel i'm flawed with my appreciation of the herb, accompanied by all the things that are requirements of being a devout Sikh. It seems pretty unlikely that I will ever reach that place.

Thanks for taking the time out to read this.

Illuminati420

If your seeking truth seek the knowledge of David Icke and some of the popele he works with.....He has shared knowledge with Zulu shamens, tracing different kinds of religions all the way to a few thousand b.c. Everyone smokes to alter their consciousness but some can acheive this relaxed ,"warm", "high" feeling naturally through meditation. Just get comfortable with your concious or work to change it

Hi5inferno

wow, this is a nice insight into something i would have never given much thought to.

i never really concerned myself with the thoughts of afterlife. there's nothing we can ever really know about it. we cant even know if it exists. our universe that we see and act in is the only thing we can know.

so what should we do in this existence?
you're mom said that to reach the realm of truth, you just have to be a good person. well, what does it mean to be a good person? a good person does their function well, just like a good knife does its function of cutting well.

so man, go wander through this wonderful universe with the bloodshot eyes of marijuana, giving you a fresh new (stoned)view on everything. find what it means to be a good person.

what you said about religion being able to change, i agree with.
i think religion, or any belief or idea, should be tested against reality and other ideas.

whoa, i really hope im making sense.
i've got weeeed on the brain.

Scotty Blaze

Thank you guys for your comments. I'm doing my best, at least, I think I am. It's kind of a double edged sword with my dad. On one hand, he does all the things he can to be religious, but on the other hand he is an alcoholic. I have nothing against those that drink but, growing up in a household like I did with an alcoholic certainly altered my perception of a lot of things. I never smoked marijuana or even drank until I reached my twenties.

A lot of Punjabi people are known for their ability to "hold their liquor" / excessive drinking, even though most of us (if not all) punjabi's are Sikh. Alcohol is an intoxicant, too. Are they all not reaching the Realm of Truth, either?

It saddens me that a lot of people's perceptions in my family/culture of marijuana is that of it being evil and sinful. I've pondered trying to convey my feelings about marijuana to those family members who look at it that way but, I fear that their set in stone beliefs on the subject will never change.


That's a question I ask myself often. How do you define a good person? I can say with all honesty, aside from a few hiccups here in my life, I feel i've led an honest and good life.

Smoking marijuana, to me, doesn't make me a bad person. However, to others, it certainly does. Their perceptions of me will be tied to that of the society's stereotypical image of "stoners" and they'll think i'm some lazy bum. Yet, i'm the only one in my household who hasn't dropped out of school. I'm in college and am actively trying to earn a degree so I can better myself and help my family out.

Yet, all that aside, I am a "bad" person because I find solace and wonderment from a plant instead of a a bottle of whiskey, like my father.

Not that another person's opinion of me is important. But, if we're talking about religion here, a higher being's opinion sure does. After reviewing my "paperwork", will I be let into the Realm of Truth?

*sighs*


As soon as my bubbler arrives, I will be doing just that.

Thanks again for your comments.

joebear

Selections From the Writings of Roy Eugene Davis

I'm not a noteworthy proselyte, the link above is for a man that can lay it out in the language of science; which most of my stoner friends demand, I have little trouble with my own Christian belief, despite the bodies left behind in His name; He was cool.

runamukk

Religions a tricky deal and very personal for everyone. I myself am an atheist as to me logic and science > superstition/heresay. I wish you luck on your journey of self discovery. My advice....live life to the best of your abilities, be a good person, make an effort to help as many people as possible, but most importantly have a good time while your here.

Also, about the afterlife.....don't sweat it... besides, ill bet that when you die it's just like before you were born..remember?