John Kimbrough
01-13-2007, 08:08 PM
Using Drugs: What Are You Searching For?
In most cases it is a mental and physical state where
one feels happy and intense feelings of pleasure. This
also includes a state where one is free from those
various unhappy perceptions and feelings about
oneself, so one feels loved or accepted or cool or not
lonely.
Unfortunately, these feelings are not only deceiving
but also not permanent and in the effort to recapture
them again and again, one can become addicted to the
use of and need for drugs.
There was a well-known saying a few years back, which
may still be used these days by those who use drugs.
It went “no hope without dope”.
Of course, to have such an attitude about life and
oneself is extremely self – destructive and deceiving,
as the hope that we need and seek is really strength
of character and purpose.
It is interesting how in countries and cultures where
life is relatively easy and all that we need on order
to survive is provided to us, we find so many people
who lack satisfaction with life and things, or who
think that they need to use drugs and other
intoxicants and stimulants in order to feel more whole
or at peace.
Is it a sign of a problem in our countries and
cultures or just our own ignorance?
Buddhist and Yoga teachings would tell us that it is
more a matter of ignorance as we have unrealistic
expectations of both life and ourselves and do not
know a wise, healthy and skilful way in which to live.
Of course, the countries and cultures in which we live
do seem to place more emphasis on materialism,
consumerism and comfort and conveniences as being
things that bring happiness, but many times these
things are superficial and transient and how many
people do we know who have a lot of money and live in
a nice house who are angry, impatient and given to ill
– will and other unskillful ways of living?
Drugs do not provide us with any kind of worthwhile
result to pursue. They only heighten pleasure but also
have the ability to heighten anxiety, ill – will and
anger, and other feelings of confusion or pain.
If one seeks out balance and focus in their life,
drugs will not provide them with the way to it.
Instead, one who desires such a thing needs to look at
their priorities and make changes and perhaps find a
way that gives them concrete ways to think, speak and
act, not in order to control or put forth a dogmatic
way to live that looks at life and people as saints
and sinners, but instead brings one to a balance of
mind and consciousness that is truly worthwhile to
experience and grow and live a meaningful and joyful
life from.
©2007 John C. Kimbrough
John is a volunteer teaching Yoga and Buddhism and
providing other health and educational resources for
men and women in a local provincial prison in
Cambodia. He has lived in Asia for twenty years.
In most cases it is a mental and physical state where
one feels happy and intense feelings of pleasure. This
also includes a state where one is free from those
various unhappy perceptions and feelings about
oneself, so one feels loved or accepted or cool or not
lonely.
Unfortunately, these feelings are not only deceiving
but also not permanent and in the effort to recapture
them again and again, one can become addicted to the
use of and need for drugs.
There was a well-known saying a few years back, which
may still be used these days by those who use drugs.
It went “no hope without dope”.
Of course, to have such an attitude about life and
oneself is extremely self – destructive and deceiving,
as the hope that we need and seek is really strength
of character and purpose.
It is interesting how in countries and cultures where
life is relatively easy and all that we need on order
to survive is provided to us, we find so many people
who lack satisfaction with life and things, or who
think that they need to use drugs and other
intoxicants and stimulants in order to feel more whole
or at peace.
Is it a sign of a problem in our countries and
cultures or just our own ignorance?
Buddhist and Yoga teachings would tell us that it is
more a matter of ignorance as we have unrealistic
expectations of both life and ourselves and do not
know a wise, healthy and skilful way in which to live.
Of course, the countries and cultures in which we live
do seem to place more emphasis on materialism,
consumerism and comfort and conveniences as being
things that bring happiness, but many times these
things are superficial and transient and how many
people do we know who have a lot of money and live in
a nice house who are angry, impatient and given to ill
– will and other unskillful ways of living?
Drugs do not provide us with any kind of worthwhile
result to pursue. They only heighten pleasure but also
have the ability to heighten anxiety, ill – will and
anger, and other feelings of confusion or pain.
If one seeks out balance and focus in their life,
drugs will not provide them with the way to it.
Instead, one who desires such a thing needs to look at
their priorities and make changes and perhaps find a
way that gives them concrete ways to think, speak and
act, not in order to control or put forth a dogmatic
way to live that looks at life and people as saints
and sinners, but instead brings one to a balance of
mind and consciousness that is truly worthwhile to
experience and grow and live a meaningful and joyful
life from.
©2007 John C. Kimbrough
John is a volunteer teaching Yoga and Buddhism and
providing other health and educational resources for
men and women in a local provincial prison in
Cambodia. He has lived in Asia for twenty years.