Posted by Roger Christie (4.65.54.238) on November 05, 2003 at 15:34:09:
A-loha. Jah-loha. Sha-loha.
Who or what is a 'Savior'? Does cannabis qualify as a Savior? In my opinion, it's worthwhile thinking about this important question in our lives.
We live in a culture (in the USA, or here in Hawai'i) that promotes the individual over the community. Most people are out for their own. Their own home, their own bank account, their own whatever.
Once a person has their own, the belief goes, they will be saved. Saved from poverty, saved from disease, saved from the potential oppression and the tyranny of life. Safe.
Is there a better way to go? I think there is. The quality and value of sharing is enormous. Sharing of money, things, ideas, companionship and love is a blessing in itself. It feels so good to share that it becomes a form of self-healing, and a benefit to the receiver as well. How wonderful is that? What is the 'value' of such activity?
Humans have needs and wants that like to be met. We have desires and goals and intentions we strive for.
We have moments when all is well and there is zero desire. Peace of mind. Harmony. Bliss.
Some of our most crucial needs and wants are the intangibles. We like to be noticed. We like to be acknowledged. We like to be heard. We like to be liked. We like to be loved. We love to be loved! And maybe in the end, we like to be remembered well, too.
Some of the physical needs of humans are: food, clothing, shelter, fuel, medicine and sacrament. How do we feel loved by life? One way is to have our needs met. Delicious and nutritious foods, comfortable and sturdy clothing, safe and beautiful shelter, clean fuel for lighting and energy, safe and natural medicines and real sacraments all help to provide for us in our bodies and minds here on planet earth.
To be saved from hunger and malnutrition we seek out high-quality foods.
To be saved from the cold and the rain and snow we seek comfortable, warm clothes.
To be saved from the weather we seek a home that is dry and well-built.
To be saved from disease we seek effective natural medicines, some of which we can grow ourselves at home in the garden.
To be saved emotionally we seek friends and companions and partners. We nurture loved ones who nurture us.
To be saved spiritually, some of us seek sacraments that help to connect us with the Divine.
Where does cannabis and hemp come into this picture? It's easier every day to see that the natural herb, the God-given plant cannabis can help to 'save' us from hunger and the cold and the weather and from sickness and from feeling alone and lost.
The question of who or what is a Savior (with a capitol 'S') is simple and it's profound, too. I seek to provide a question more than an answer as it helps me to better develope my own philosophy on this subject.
My point today is to remind myself and you that cannabis and hemp can be defined as a Savior, a tangible, real-life helper, a stepping stone to the states of happiness and bliss and completeness.
Some might even argue that cannabis is, or can be, THE Savior of humankind. That's what I think. It can help to take care of more of our needs and wants than any other 'thing' on Earth. It's a body, mind and spirit substance, easily grown in most any windowbox or garden. How wonderful is that?
Cannabis, the Savior of humankind? I believe its potential is just starting to be discovered.
All the very best to you