Stoner Wisdom – Famous Quotes From High Times

Stoner Wisdom - Famous Quotes From High Times | Third Monk image 1

Since 1974, High Times magazine has served as a safe platform for public figures and celebrities to express their love for Mary Jane.

The movement to legalize cannabis is picking up momentum, these classic quotes from High Times shows that famous stoners always believed in a green future:

Bob Marley (Sept. ‘76)

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It’s time to let de people get good herbs and smoke. Government’s a joke. All dey wan’ is ya smoke cigarettes and cigar. Some cigar wickeder den herb.

Mick Jagger (June ‘80)

Cocaine is a very bad, habit-forming bore. I can’t understand the fashion for it. Sitting and smoking grass is different.

Stephen King (Jan. ‘81)

I think that marijuana should not only be legal, I think it should be a cottage industry. It would be wonderful for the state of Maine. There’s some pretty good homegrown dope.

Jack Herer (Feb. ‘89)

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I didn’t discover marijuana until 1969, when I was 30 years old. At the time, I was a successful businessman and a Nixon supporter.

Pot changed my life. I began to hear my own words back to me as judgments. I put on earphones and heard music in color for the first time.

Jello Biafra (Aug. ‘91)

You don’t have to smoke pot to realize that the real drug problem is not the drugs, and that we can help solve our drug problem and a hell of a lot of our crime problems, environmental problems and racial problems if we’d all do our patriotic duty as Earth Patriots and GROW MORE POT!

Redman (Mar. ‘93)

I treat my music as an individual, you know, as a person, a human life. You gotta puff weed to get really deep like that.

Tom Robbins (May ‘94)

Marijuana seems to possess all of the benevolence, grace, clarity, insightfulness and calm that the state-sanctioned drug — booze — so sadly lacks.

Hunter S. Thompson (May ‘94)

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I have always loved marijuana. It has been a source of joy and comfort to me for many years. And I still think of it as a staple of basic life, along with beer and ice and grapefruits — and millions of Americans agree with me.

Ken Kesey (May ‘94)

That old 1960s consciousness coming out of the beatnik years is the only path I see that is going to get us out of the mess that we’re in. And our gospel is that joint –That joint won’t lie to you. One joint will give you a different high than another joint, but they’ll be straight with you. Marijuana works.

Woody Harrelson (Nov. ‘00)

Everybody has their drug. The real hypocrisy of the Drug War is that it’s not simply a War on Drugs.

You can go to a drugstore in any city in the nation and you’ll find any drug you want, and they’ll be more addictive and worse for you than grass.

And there will be a smiling man there sanctioned by the government who’s allowed to give them to you.

Bryan Cranston (Sept. ‘12)

Marijuana started out with a bad connotation, as you know — but to me, marijuana is no different than wine. It’s a drug of choice. It’s meant to alter your current state — and that’s not a bad thing.

It’s ridiculous that marijuana is still illegal. We’re still fighting for it… There are millions of people who smoke pot on a social basis and don’t become criminals. So stop with that argument — it doesn’t work.

Roseanne (July ‘13)

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The first time I smoked, I was 17. I was with my sister, and we were sleeping out on our porch. I remember sitting on the porch with my mouth hanging open, looking at a tree and going, Jesus Christ, is that a tree? I couldn’t stop staring at it — the complexity of it, the patterning.

It opened up my mind to whole other conscious rhythms.

35 Celebs Sound Off on Marijuana | High Times

Power of Meditation Can Alter Human Cells (Video)

Power of Meditation Can Alter Human Cells (Video) | Third Monk image 1

Recent studies in Canada are showing hard evidence that the power of meditation can change the body on a cellular level.

Scientist found that the protein caps at the end of our chromosomes that denote cellular aging had not diminished in cancer survivors that meditate. The mind-body connection is becoming more apparent with each study.

Scientist already know that meditation can help you strengthen connections in the brain; but this evidence takes us a step further, suggesting that meditation may be useful when treating terminal illnesses.

The Power of Meditation

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Study Confirms: LSD Still Awesome

Study Confirms: LSD Still Awesome | Third Monk image 1

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The incredible therapeutic properties of LSD have once again been confirmed in a recent Swiss study.

The first therapeutic study on LSD to take place in 40 years specifically focused on treating anxiety associated with life-threatening illnesses. Psychotherapy was also used in conjunction with LSD to treat participants’ anxiety.

Amazingly, every single participant (out of 12) reported experiencing major decreases in anxiety levels due to the LSD-assisted psychotherapy. These decreases in anxiety persisted even 12 months after being administered the LSD. Furthermore, no negative effects were reported by any of the participants. The study was led by Peter Gasser, M.D., who stated:

…we had in 30 sessions (22 with full dose 200 μg LSD and 8 with placebo dose 20 μg LSD) no severe side effects such as psychotic experiences or suicidal crisis or flashbacks or severe anxieties (bad trips)…That means that we can show that LSD treatment can be safe when it is done in a carefully controlled clinical setting.

Subjects receiving 200 µg LSD and psychotherapy, compared to an active placebo of 20 µg LSD, experienced a reduction in anxiety. Because the reduction in anxiety was still present at a 12-month follow up, Gasser believes that LSD has incredible potential for treating a whole array of psychological conditions.

Researchers noted that one of the most important aspects of the study was that the participants were able to freely contemplate and discuss their experiences while under the effects of LSD, as well as after the trip had ended.

Psychedelics such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin do not cause brain damage and are considered by medical professionals to be non-addictive.  Over 30 million people currently living in the US have used LSD, psilocybin, or mescaline.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was discovered accidentally by Albert Hofmann on April 16, 1943. He had actually unintentionally created it 5 years prior while attempting to synthesize potentially medicinal active constituents from ergot fungus, a fungus that grows on rye. For 5 years the synthesis collected dust until he decided to reexamine it. While reexamining the LSD a small amount was absorbed into Hofmann’s fingertip.

Last Friday, April 16,1943, I was forced to interrupt my work in the laboratory in the middle of the afternoon and proceed home, being affected by a remarkable restlessness, combined with a slight dizziness. At home I lay down and sank into a not unpleasant intoxicated-like condition, characterized by an extremely stimulated imagination. In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After some two hours this condition faded away. – Albert Hofmann

Hofmann was intrigued, and three days later he tried it again, marking April 19, 1943 as the first day a human being ever intentionally consumed LSD.

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This day is now known as “Bicycle Day,” because Hofmann rode his bike home while he was tripping. Hofmann and his wife spent the rest of their lives advocating the use of LSD, psilocybin, and other psychedelics in the field of psychotherapy.

Below is a documentary on LSD which focuses on Albert Hofmann.

Hofmann’s Potion – Albert Hofmann LSD Documentary

By the mid-1950s, LSD-research was being published in medical and academic journals all over the world. It showed potential benefits in the treatment of alcoholism, drug addiction, and other mental illnesses. This film explores those potential benefits, and the researchers who explored them.

> Effects of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide 100% Positive | Wonder Gressive

The Healing Potential of Psychedelic Medicine – Dr. Sanjay Gupta (Video)

The Healing Potential of Psychedelic Medicine - Dr. Sanjay Gupta (Video) | Third Monk image 2

I have tons of respect for Dr. Sanjay Gupta, especially for admitting he was wrong on the cannabis issue. Now Dr. Gupta dives into the world of psychedelic medicine.

Gupta speaks with Rick Doblin and Tom Shroder, the author to Acid Test: LSD, Ecstasy and The Power to Heal. They discuss psychedelics’ place in assisted psycho therapy, the challenges associated with using psychedelics as medicine and how the social stigmas have slowed the progress in this field of study.

The beauty of psychedelics is not that it heals you, instead it puts you in the optimum state of being so that you may heal yourself.

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The Illusion of Good and Bad, Animated Short – Alan Watts (Video)

The Illusion of Good and Bad, Animated Short - Alan Watts (Video) | Third Monk

The Story of the Chinese Farmer is a parable about life and nature narrated by Alan Watts, animated by Steve Agnos, and with music by Chris Zabriskie.

The whole process of nature is a process of immense complexity and it is really impossible to tell whether something that happens in it is good or bad.

Because you never know the consequences of the misfortune. Or, you never know the consequences of good fortune. – Alan Watts

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How to be Ultra Spiritual – Funny Parody with JP Sears (Video)

How to be Ultra Spiritual - Funny Parody with JP Sears (Video) | Third Monk image 2

Ever wanted to be ultra spiritual? Well, look no further than JP Sears parody video that hilariously captures the essence of what it means to be spiritual today.

Perhaps it is our ability to laugh at ourselves and not take ourselves too seriously is what increases our spiritual growth.

JP Sears is an inner coach who strives to empower people to live more meaningful lives as whole individuals by guiding them to move beyond their symptoms of pain and sabotage.

Regardless of his mission statement, JP absolutely kills it in this video. It’s a well produced timely piece that is hilariously accurate.

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Calvin and Hobbes – The Existential Buddhist (Comic Strip)

Calvin and Hobbes - The Existential Buddhist (Comic Strip) | Third Monk

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We last left Calvin and Hobbes as they contemplated the stars.

Now, they question existence itself.

Calvin and Hobbes Contemplate Existence.

Calvin: Let’s say life is this square of the sidewalk. We’re born at this crack and we die at that crack.

Calvin: Now we find ourselves somewhere inside the square, and in the process of walking out of it. Suddenly we realize our time in here is fleeting.

Calvin: Is our quick experience here pointless? Does anything we say or do in here really matter? Have we done anything important? Have we been happy? Have we made the most of these precious few footsteps?

Eco Villages – The Neighborhoods of the Future

Eco Villages - The Neighborhoods of the Future | Third Monk image 1

Eco Villages offer people socially aware self-sustaining micro-communities.

This is a critical time in human history. Clearly we are destroying the natural environment and we are warming up the globe. We can be sure that our species will not going to be around very long if we don’t get our consumption habits under control. – Liz Walker, co-founder and executive director of Ecovillage at Ithaca (EVI), who also has written two books on sustainable development.

The eco village mission has two aspects: conservation and living in a sustainable way and having people live in harmony together. The eco village and the cohousing movement both started in the early 1990s in Denmark and has since spread across the world.

Unlike self-sufficient communities in the past, EVI members have their own homes and manage their own finances separately, but each pays a monthly fee for maintaining the common buildings, land, and to fund future projects. Eco villagers are actively involved in the governance of the community and make decisions through a consensus process during the board of directors meetings that include members of EVI.

It’s a chance to be with our neighbors, it’s a chance to have friends without having to drive across a big city. – Barbara Pease, EVI member, retired computer scientist

Three Groves EcoVillage (TGE) in West Grove, Pennsylvania, has a similar vision of building an ecologically sustainable neighborhood.

It’s not just the environmental sustainability, it’s social sustainability… you can share your resources, you can come together and accomplish so much more because by sharing resources with my neighbor, I have to consume less. – Janet Hesselberth, co founder of Three Groves Eco Village

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Benefits of Daily Meditation – Empty Your Cup So That It May Be Filled

Benefits of Daily Meditation - Empty Your Cup So That It May Be Filled | Third Monk image 1

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Meditation is a state of mind, body and spirit where you are calm, focused, aware, and connected with your true essence. For most, getting to this state of meditation is a bit of a journey. That is why there are so many different mediation techniques to choose from including three for stoners.

So do not be discouraged if a seated meditation isn’t right for you. Try several different techniques until you find one that resonates with you. Then, practice daily.

The benefits of working towards a state of meditation are numerous, here are some that shape your life on a daily basis.

It Will Give You Better Body Awareness

When you take the time each day to slow down and notice your body, you will start to become more aware of how your body feels after you eat certain foods, after you do certain activities, after you spend time with different people.

This awareness is absolutely invaluable to your long-term health and one of the first and most noticeable benefits of a daily meditation practice. Your body is constantly sending you valuable information – you just need to slow down long enough to hear what it is saying.

It Will Improve Your Relationships

The practice of meditation will help you to become more connected with yourself – with how you are feeling, what you are thinking and how your life is affecting you. The more you take the time to slow down and tune into yourself, the more you are going to become aware of the role you are playing in the relationships you have.

From this place of awareness you will be better able to feel what relationship habits you have that are not beneficial for you, and which ones are. This knowledge will empower you to make any changes needed, so that you can have more harmonious relationships with everyone you interact with.

It Will Help You Communicate Better

All your new found self awareness will help you to more effectively communicate what you are thinking and feeling to those around you.

The more you are aware of yourself, the more you are going to be able to help others become aware of what is going on with you. This will improve your communication skills with everyone from your partner, to your boss to the stranger who bumps into you on the street.

It Will Sharpen Your Ability To Focus

Meditation is essentially a practice in focus. It is really the art of drawing your mind to the present moment and being with what is, right now.

Meditation practices teach you how to be around distractions without getting pulled off course by them. The longer you practice, the more you will notice your ability to keep your mind on the current task at hand, rather than watching your mind jump from one thing to another.

It Will Encourage You To Love Yourself More

Mediation is the fastest road to self-love. By setting aside time each day where you are going to sit and be with yourself, there is a good chance that all of your ‘stuff’ is going to come up. All of your insecurities, all of your doubts, all of your fears, everything that is sitting below the surface will rise to the top.

Then, if you are able to continue your practice of sitting and being with yourself and all of your emotions, eventually you will break through. You will begin to see yourself in a new light – in a true light. You will begin to see that you are not your issues, you are not your emotions, you are not your job – you will start to connect with your true essence.

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> 5 Ways Meditation Will Change Your Life (For The Better) | Collective Evolution

Drug War Shows No Remorse For Innocent Baby Injured During Botched Raid

Drug War Shows No Remorse For Innocent Baby Injured During Botched Raid | Third Monk image 2

Earlier this year in May 2014, a baby was placed in critical condition after police tossed a flash grenade into his playpen during a fumbled drug raid.

Five months later, Habersham County officials say they do not plan to pay for the medical expenses of the toddler seriously injured during a police raid.

Bounkham Phonesavah, affectionately known as “Baby Boo Boo,” spent weeks in a burn unit after a SWAT team’s flash grenade exploded near his face.

The toddler was just 19-months-old and asleep in the early morning hours of May 28. SWAT officers threw the device into his home while executing a search warrant for a drug suspect.

Habersham County officials are defending their decision not to pay, but the child’s family isn’t giving up.

The Letter of the Law Is Broken

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After weeks of recovery at two different hospitals, Channel 2 Action News was there in July as the little boy walked out of a hospital with his family.

He is doing better, but late Friday afternoon, his family’s attorney told said the family’s medical bills are mounting.

“But at this point, the county is refusing to pay,” said attorney Muwali Davis.

Habersham County’s attorney provided the following statement, saying:

The question before the board was whether it is legally permitted to pay these expenses. After consideration of this question following advice of counsel, the board of commissioners has concluded that it would be in violation of the law for it to do so.

Latest reports indicate that the raid was influenced by faulty information. The obvious needs to be stated here.

If there’s a law that prevents a local government from reimbursing a family to heal a child nearly killed by the negligence and ineptitude of local law enforcement officers, then that law needs to be changed.

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The drug war means never having to say you’re sorry | Washington Post

The Science and Politics of Mind Altering Drugs

The Science and Politics of Mind Altering Drugs | Third Monk image 1

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British psychiatrist David Nutt specializes in neuropsychopharmacology, the research of mind-altering drugs. In his interview with The Guardian’s Science Weekly Podcast, he discusses the science and politics of mind-altering substances. The neuroscience blog MindHacks refers to it as “essential listening” and…

Possibly one of the most sensible discussions of drugs and drug harms you are likely to hear in a long time.

Prof. Nutt is quite well-known in the UK – largely due to being fired by the Government from their drugs advisory panel for pointing out in a scientific paper that the health risks of taking ecstasy are about equivalent to going horse riding.

Rather than doing the usual dishonest apology required of government advisors where they ask forgiveness for ‘unintentionally misleading the public’ away from a convenient collective illusion, he decided to take the government to task about their disingenuous drug policy.

He is now a straight-talking, evidence-based, pain-in-the-arse to the government who doggedly stick to the ‘war on drugs’ rhetoric that not even they believe any more.

In the interview the discussion ranges from how psychedelics affect the brain to the scientific basis (or lack thereof) of drug policy. He also claims that ecstasy and LSD are less dangerous than alcohol, proposes research into the potential use of MDMA to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, and how he founded the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs.

Give it a listen.

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The Science and Politics of Psychedelic Drugs | Dis Info