*SACRED OR TOXIC?

Walking the Edge of Spirit and Substance

When we talk about spirituality and substance use, we have to be honest. Escapism through substances is not always just running away. Sometimes it is the first time a soul gets to speak. For many, altered states offer a glimpse of something deeper, a spark of awareness that there is more to life than the physical. It may be messy, but for some, it is real.

That said, I am not saying people should use substances to find themselves. Sometimes that is simply where the journey starts. A trip, a breakdown, a quiet moment while under the influence can crack the surface and start the soul and ego dialogue. From there, we begin to understand the self not as either-or, but as both.

The real work is learning how to stay connected without relying on the substance. If the soul spoke once, it can speak again through meditation, movement, silence, or breath. The question becomes, how do we continue to listen without needing to escape in order to hear it?

The Soul Will Speak However It Can

The soul doesn’t judge the path. It simply wants to communicate. Whether it’s through prayer, psychedelics, or silence, its purpose remains unchanged. If the ego has locked the door so tightly that the soul can’t speak, the soul will search for any crack or any way in.

This is where substances come in, not always as crutches, but sometimes as catalysts. Escapism feels natural for some, not because it’s easy or reckless, but because it’s one of the few ways their internal “monkey mind” gets a chance to be silenced while simultaneously the soul intent gets to be heard.

But once that door has been opened, the challenge becomes learning how to keep it open without depending on the same key. The soul doesn't need substances to speak; it just needs a way to get your attention. From there, it's about building a more sustainable connection through presence, intention, and practice. The goal is not to escape, but to stay grounded, aware, and in a relationship with oneself.

Judgment or Control?

Popular discourse tends to shame those who use plant medicine or alcohol in their spiritual journey. But what if the concern isn’t about the method at all? What if the true problem is about control?

I definitely care about how someone achieves that heightened awareness, but to say that can’t reach it this way is not my place either. What matters far more is how often they go there, how long they stay, and whether they’re able to return. Moderation isn’t just about health. It’s about clarity.

When any substance clouds your connection to the self instead of clarifying it, when it becomes the only way you access deeper awareness, then it’s no longer a tool. It’s taken the wheel. That’s when escapism slides into addiction.

Portals Are Not Permanent Homes

The truth is, yes, we can touch higher states of consciousness through shrooms, weed, alcohol, and other substances. These are temporary portals, not permanent homes. The body, being physical and temporal, cannot sustain prolonged states of artificial elevation. It was never built for that.

When the substance becomes the driver and the body is no longer in command, you are not accessing spiritual growth. You are numbing responsibility, and that becomes dangerous.

That’s why many turn to sober practices like meditation, exercise, and breathwork. They may not deliver the instant intensity of a psychedelic trip, but they strengthen the body-soul connection in a way that can be sustained, not just glimpsed.

The Need for Grounded Access

Still, for those with an especially potent spirit, that might feel limiting. Some souls are already plugged into a deeper current of ancestral memory and cosmic awareness. They remember who they are and what they’ve done before and throughout their lifetimes. For them, it can be frustrating to live in a body that moves more slowly than the soul’s understanding; thus, escapism is born.

This is why balance is not just a concept, but a necessity. The body lives in the now, while the soul is a keeper of the past and future. They need each other. Without cooperation, you drift. And in that drift, you might open doors you’re not prepared to walk through. However, with balance, you can begin to appreciate your spiritual journey with greater confidence and clarity.

Staying Rooted While Ascending

Using substances to elevate consciousness is not inherently wrong. But relying on them as the only way to access your higher self is a misalignment. You risk becoming lost in translation, calling in energies you don’t fully understand or can’t fully command.

That’s how entities attach, and not all of them lead to light. It's essential to be cautious and aware of the potential dangers associated with over-reliance on substances during your spiritual journey.

The work matters. Not just the mystical flashes, but the quiet, sober practice of being. Awareness is not about floating away. It’s about staying rooted while reaching higher clarity.

When you learn to connect with the divine while staying rooted in your physical experience, you’ve achieved true integration of soul and self. That’s where meaningful growth begins. A steady commitment to practice and development is what will genuinely deepen and elevate your spiritual path and aligned self.

JAH