Cannabis and spirituality have long been linked. In the era of legalized marijuana in New Jersey and other places, marijuana can be openly investigated.
Alexandra Marrero is a professional Reiki healer and owner of Restorative Health and Wellness based in Central Jersey. She is immersed in New Age and Eastern practices and is a member of New Jersey’s cannabis community.
“Spirituality and religion are not the same thing. There is overlap,” Marrero explained.
Cannabis in the Bible
She pointed out that cannabis literally appears in the Bible as “canna bosem.” This is the material with which Moses creates the holy anointing oil in the book of Exodus.
“Messiah” means “anointed one” in Hebrew.
(I explain this in detail in my book Cannabis 101!)
Adam Umansky, a North Jersey cannabis rights activist, also drew on the connection between cannabis and the anointing of Moses. He explained that he was an ordained pastor and would like to conduct a service if he had the means. Umansky said cannabis can help foster a connection to God, the sacred, or source.
“In fact, it’s part of a variety of religious traditions,” he noted regarding cannabis.
He also pointed out that the Egyptian goddess Seshat is usually depicted with weed leaves. The Chinese goddess Magu is also often associated with cannabis.
“I was able to rejuvenate and rekindle my connection to that tradition,” Umansky explained.
He has been on a spiritual cannabis path for some time.Umansky appeared in an episode of viceland Introducing We Tickets as part of Anne Armstrong and Alan Gordon’s controversial cannabis church in Rhode Island. The founders were arrested for cultivating weed.
“The Supreme Being…created people on earth with cannabis. We are together like lock and key,” he declared.
Umansky is not alone in arguing that words are inadequate to describe mystical experiences.
“Language impairs our understanding. I avoid thinking about the nature of the universe or the nature of God. It obscures this message,” he noted.
Medical cannabis in the New Testament
“There has to be a reason why we were created to look so much like a plant that provides so many amazing benefits,” Marrero explained. “When used properly, it has amazing benefits for the body.”
Mr. Umansky also claimed that this is directly mentioned in the New Testament in James 5:14. Call the elders of the church to pray for them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ”
He said it’s like the Bible telling you to use cannabis-infused cream for sore muscles, and it’s common practice in some circles.
Solving problems with cannabis and spirituality
Marrero explains that she helps people cope with problems and release trauma.
“As Reiki masters, what we do is basically help people become their own healers,” she declared. “We are just conduits of energy.”
She says she helps transfer energy from source to client. In doing so, she helps release trauma, energy blocks, and lower vibrations. Therefore, it reduces her stress and anxiety and helps her heal both physically and mentally.
Marrero explained that consuming cannabis can help with this process because it calms “brain chatter” and similar issues.
“I feel like for some people it helps them connect more with their spirituality,” she added.
“It helps lift this veil. Sometimes people don’t know how to relax. That’s a big part of that connection. They’re overthinking something. They don’t actually know how to relax. They are blocking it,” Marrero claimed.
“When I smoked a cigarette or did something…the veil was lifted so I could connect faster and easier,” she said. “It helped me learn how to do it easier.”
Marrero likes to combine cannabis with meditation and yoga, two highly spiritual Eastern exercise practices.
“By going into this relaxing space, you can be more open and receive messages more openly,” she said.
Therefore, cannabis helps the brain enter the theta phase of deep relaxation.
“You’re calm. You’re connected. You’re able to be more present in your physical body. A lot of people miss that part of being present in their physical body,” Marrero said. . “We’re always thinking about what happened before, what could happen, and trying to control things. It helps us release that kind of control. ”
Cannabis and spiritual ritual practices
Umansky also liked the idea of rituals with cannabis plants. He also believes it calms and grounds people. He pointed out that passing the joint is a type of communal ritual, a sacramental plant that plays a major role in Rastafarianism.
Marrero explained that when using cannabis for spirituality, it must be consumed in a deliberate manner and with caution. She suggested that consuming cannabis and creating a habit of meditation, yoga, and journaling can be good for spiritual purposes.
“I’ve been using cannabis as a meditation aid for a very long time,” Umansky explained. “Cannabis deepens the emotional connection to the ritual content.”
“Sometimes when we consume something, we don’t know why we’re doing it. But it becomes some form of escape. We’re constantly exposed to challenges.” Marrero said.
How to consume cannabis for spirituality
“The challenge is trial and error to find the right strain for you without getting anxious,” she said.
Marrero said indica-dominant strains are the most effective. I also like the old school style of rare things like the aurora.
“I love smoking joints. It’s the physical aspect of it as well. Bowls are great too because you can taste the flower more,” she said.
Many people started selling stone pipes because crystals and stones have spiritually beneficial properties. Marrero said care must be taken with the stones used.
She also suggested putting a small crystal in the jar of weed to strengthen it. She suggested using crystals.
ride the flow of energy
“It’s all about energy,” Marrero explained.
She said that plants are imbued with the energy of the people who nurture them. Therefore, their motivations and dispositions can influence their spiritual consumption of cannabis.
“Is this mass-produced thing just producing as much product as possible? Or do people really care?” she asked.
Marrero was concerned that some legal cannabis strains had too much THC, making them high at the expense of other beneficial properties.
“If it’s primarily just THC, you’re missing out on things like CBD and CBG that help you deal with anxiety, which keep things balanced,” she argued. “That’s a big reason why I like old-school strains. They didn’t really do that back then.”
Ritual spiritual cannabis consumption
Both Marrero and Umansky supported the idea of creating spiritual rituals centered around cannabis consumption.
“Take a moment, sit with me. Use it sparingly,” Marrero advised.
She suggested appreciating plants and setting intentions to increase connection, such as relaxing.
“You don’t have to say anything out loud. It could be when you’re sitting and holding it in your hand,” Marrero said.
She says it’s good to practice gratitude to connect with plant energy.
Cannabis may also be used if smoke is used in the ceremony.
“There’s really no wrong path. It’s up to you to make it your own. There are no set boundaries. Your practice is your practice, and that’s what makes it beautiful,” Marrero said. declared.
The same goes for smudging when burning and smoking sage. It is a popular spiritual practice to remove bad energy.
“It’s definitely a lot more expensive than sage,” she joked about cannabis.
