For so long I thought I was one of the best at partying. I was the regular mixologist at the basement soirees at college. I could drink anyone under the table in New York, especially if it was vodka. Now I go to a party and just watch drunk people crying, fighting and just being stupid and I just wish I would have spent my evening at a chod ceremony or yoga class where I could actually come back a little closer to the truth. Why does everyone always want to escape reality and then say that they are on a quest for truth? I had one such party experience last Friday that made me never want to touch a drop of alcohol nor spend a weekend ever with someone who does. I truly think it is poison now and understand a little more why so many who’ve had their lives touched by it, including me, would loath the sight of it so much. I also understand a little more why there is a whole world religion which effectively bans it. Interestingly, the word alcohol actually comes from an Arabic word meaning something like the spirit or demon (al-ġawl).
“Satan’s plan is yet but to excite enmity and hatred, between you, with intoxicants, And gambling and hinder you, from the remembrance Of God and from prayer, will ye not then abstain?”
~Qu’ran 5:93
I would have scoffed at such conventionally religious sentiments last week. Even so, I realize it can also be translated into universal ideals. Getting intoxicated is in fact a hindrance from realizing the almighty within. And how can you reach the true heaven in this life if you waste all the potential moments drinking or with people who are drunk?
So that’s it, yes wine and beer can both be medicinal and have been used for centuries in rituals both bleak and jolly, but really how often has their consumption resulted in benefit rather than destruction? Now to explain my title, Uganda, one of the very poorest countries in Africa has the highest drinking rate. The average Ugandan drinks almost 20 liters of spirit per year compared to Americans’ measly eight-and-a-half. I don’t know why but I’m sure there are good reasons. There always are. But after this weekend’s display of enmity and hatred, I haven’t got one.
Ghanaba said,
August 11, 2009 at 2:55 am
Interesting post, more so because it touched on my rethinking theme. When we beginning to take a step back and out of ourselves and what we are use to doing, we can then afford to see things from angles we’ve not done before.
On a light note, could a blank ban on alcoholism solve most of the ills of today? It would interest you to not that most of the wicked acts, acts done on a large state. Think about the creation of weapons of mass distraction, guns, poison gas, and even viruses!
All these were created by sober men and women, who think in they were or are serving a national or religious purpose. Could we wish they should just get drunk instead?
Mel said,
August 11, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Great One Grasshopper!!! Gee Mirella would be happy to read this. Her down fall is Orange Fanta and Chocolate. But even she professes finding the spiritual meaning of heaven on earth if we focus enough and stop the obstacles. I think as I told you in the recent past all in moderation. People lose sight and want all now and more the merrier until, they have to give it up to the porcelain goddess bowl the next morning,even then they don’t stop. I have come to realize people sometimes just don’t want to be saved, they like the misery and misery likes company and so on. It’s cool when some make clear self discoveries and actually live to relive a new life free of the bondage of misery. Peace and Godspeed to U.
George said,
August 16, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Isnt it interesting how one event can change who we are or thought we were overnight? My life has been filled with such events, as are many lives, but not many can stick with the change. So, I wish you well in your transformation of realization. There is much in the writings of the Sufi and Sikh mystics and saints that call for a discovery of intoxication in the Divine. That the Love of the Divine can cause wonderous feelings beyond any drug or alcohol. To be lost in the amazing experience of a Souls journey is beyond comprehension and as Soul beings we have a natural awareness of this experience and incorrectly use drugs to reach those states. AS TO Ghanabas statements: Isnt the pain and suffering caused by the violence and self destruction of drugs and alcahol in individual lives horrible enough?!! And what is the certainty that many of these bigger decisions werent made out of intoxication? Isnt power intoxicating? Dont powerful people drink? I would be careful about my assumptions. The Powerful view this world and its inhabitants the same as those at that party, with the power to be violent and abusive. Its all the same. Horrible acts are committed for one reason and one reason only. Those committing them are disconnected from the Divine and the true nature of their Souls and a Life’s purpose.
Namaste, Shalom, Salaam.