Cannabis and Spirituality

An Explorer's Guide to an Ancient Plant Spirit Ally

By: Stephen Gray - editor, Julie Holland MD - foreword

Narrated by: Stephen Gray

A guide to the benefits and challenges of the use of cannabis in spiritual practice.

• Includes chapters by 18 authoritative and influential voices of the modern cannabis movement, including Kathleen Harrison, Joan Bello, Hamilton Souther, Steven Hager, Chris Bennett, Dee Dussault, Jeremy Wolff, and Roger Christie
• Explores the use of marijuana in a wide range of spiritual practices, including meditation, yoga, chanting, visualization, shamanism, group ceremonies, work with other entheogens, and as a creative aid

Truly a medicine for body and soul, one of cannabis’ greatest gifts is its remarkable potential for spiritual healing and awakening. In this authoritative guide, editor Stephen Gray and 17 other influential voices of the modern cannabis movement explore the spiritual benefits of cannabis and offer guidance on how to interact with the intelligence of this plant ally, a companion and supporter of humanity for millennia.

Exploring cannabis spirituality in practice, Gray’s chapters examine dosage, strains, and methods of intake; the use of cannabis to open the creative channels; how to conduct group ceremonies with cannabis; and cautions and counterindications for cannabis use. We hear from Chris Bennett on the religious and ritual use of cannabis from pre-biblical times to the present, Joan Bello on marijuana and the body-mind connection, Dee Dussault on ganja yoga, Kathleen Harrison on humanity’s coevolution with cannabis, and cannabis shaman Hamilton Souther on working with the spirit of cannabis. The contributors explore the spiritual future of this plant ally as well as the ritual use of cannabis by the Rastafarians of Jamaica and the Sadhus of India. The chapters from Brazilian ayahuasca shaman Mariano da Silva and ayahuasca apprentice Francisco present wisdom on comingling the sacramental medicines of cannabis and ayahuasca.

Revealing the potential of “the people’s plant” to enhance a wide range of spiritual practices, such as meditation, yoga, chanting, visualization, shamanism, spirit work, and explorations with other entheogens, this guide shows how cannabis is an effective ally on the awakening journey, unlocking the receptive energy in us all, and helping us to feel connected to nature, to each other, and to ourselves.

©2016 Stephen Gray. All Rights Reserved. (P)2019 Inner Traditions Audio. All Rights Reserved.

Critic reviews

“Warning: Reading this book will forever change your opinion of cannabis and your relationship with it. Like too many of us, I had underrated cannabis’s spiritual effectiveness. No more! This wonderful, often lyrical, immensely practical book introduces you to its diverse spiritual uses, contemporary practices, and the possible results when you honor and respect the plant, the plant’s spirit, and yourself.” (James Fadiman, PhD, microdose researcher and author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide)

“Cannabis has a long history as a sacrament used to mediate our relationship with the sacred. This book reminds us of this great power plant and how best to take advantage of it!” (Jason Silva, Emmy-nominated host of National Geographic’s TV series Brain Games)

“Humans have fashioned a relationship with cannabis for many thousands of years, whether medical, recreational, or addictive. This volume offers a succinct yet broad survey of a fascinating aspect of that relationship, people’s eternal quest for transcendence.” (Gabor Maté, MD, author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts)

Great Read!

Covers the topic very well! Also talks about other plant medicines. Taught me much about Cannabis.

Intensely informative. Loved it!

This is a well-written, thorough exploration of cannabis and it’s relationship to spirituality, now and through history. Although Stephen Gray’s reading is a bit mundane, I believe he keeps drama and emotion out of it to keep it’s informative authenticity from becoming or seeming biased. It took months for me to finish this book as it is a lot to absorb, but I enjoyed that about it. It is well worth the listen. I will likely re-listen over months again.

Multi-Faceted

Multiple essays divided by chapters by various authors combined in such a way as to provoke multiple streams of thought and potentiality for the reader make this book a must read.

Keeping it real, excellent !

Enjoyed the detail and well researched information. Author does not hold back and bullshit, straight forward good book.

A Great Collection

A great collection of writings/perspectoves on this topic. Whether you partake of the sacred herb or not, you will learn so much about our wonderful plant ally.

Totally awesome

Can be easily a new religion basis. Such a great information source. Highly recommended

Parts of the book are super!

I really appreciate the sections of the book that focus on meditation techniques for practical use, potential pitfalls, and the overall compassionate and loving tone throughout the book. The parts of the book that try to convince that there are spirits residing in the plant are less interesting to me. There are also parts of the book that may be a bit one-sided. All in all, it's a book that's definitely worth reading if you're interested in doing 'inner work' with cannabis as a tool.

Brilliant!

Changed my perspective and mind about the sacred herb. Love it. Love it. Love it!

Ahooo! Thank you sir, beautiful book.

As a frequent "Cannabis meditator" I was really able to connect with of this book. Must read for anyone who wants to give this sacred plant (and him/herself) a serious opportunity to tap into the spiritual potential of this amazing plant ally.