participation

It's easier to spot patterns of behaviour in groups.

At the individual level we have differences but when you zoom out, you start to see trends.

The mechanism for consciousness altering drugs in relation to society is that the perturbation of consciousness allows for the individual to see a narrative that they are part of and how their behaviour has been molded to fit into the expectation the gatekeepers of society have for them.

Taking this a step further, you would then see the grand illusion.

The body is flesh and blood tangibly real.

The illusion is thinking you are your body.

Well, you kind of are.

Yes, just as you are your car when you go for a drive.

Okay, you are saying if you alter your consciousness, you will see how society has fooled you.

If you keep going, you will see your whole existence is a fool.

Correct.

Then why participate?

It's a game.

You could leave the game because you have seen through it, and don't want to play anymore.

That's always an option.

Look at it this way: if you are playing chess, do you stop playing because you know it is a game even though you are taking it seriously?

Well, no, you either play to win, or you are playing a better opponent because you are learning from them.

Exactly.

The best teacher is a better opponent.

Yes, through experience.

Are you my opponent?

I was.

You are still teaching me.

Yes, but you know you are in a game.

We both know we are in a game.

We are playing the game together.

So, I was playing chess with you, and I joined your side.

Correct.

Who are we playing then?

Everybody else.

It's us two against the world on the big stage.

Okay, that's interesting.

Are we going to win?

If you want, but then it's game over.

We have all the knowledge and tools necessary to win.

However, if you wish to play, you can't win.

Well, I remember that lesson well from the Andes mountains where you reminded me to play.

I enshrined it.

You're a good student.

You were playing me though.

I wanted to see if you were as good as you thought you were.

Am I?

You backed it up.

You're quite the player.

So, as my teacher you challenged me?

Many times.

You made it through the fire.

Shouldn't you have beat me?

I wanted to keep playing.

We played long enough that you became as good as I am at the game.

You know all the secrets of the game as well.

Why didn't you just tell me the secrets at the start and do away with the game?

Then it's no fun.

Plus, you wouldn't understand or not believe me.

You must be shown step by step.

So, you played a game with me?

Yes, that's what you wanted.

It's an adventure.

You learned the secret of the game by continuing to play.

When others find out it is a game, they drop out.

You mean society or taking drugs?

Both.

Imagine you go on a lot of plant medicine journeys, spend a lot of time and money at retreats and ceremonies, and then you realize it is a farce.

You're getting personal.

What do you do?

You stop playing.

Why?

You think you have been fooled.

Have you?

In a way, yes; however, no, I haven't been.

Why?

It's the story; the story I was seeking.

Congratulations.

Your plant medicine journeys revealed to you the big game.

That's what you wanted from the experience.

That is true.

It takes a while to get there.

What did you think of that trip as a whole?

It's spectacular.

Would you change it?

No.

What am I still doing here?

Playing a game.

The difference is that you have a partner in crime.

That's amazing.

I'm sincere about that; it's not hyperbole.

Awakening is not escape; it is the choice to keep playing.