The Zen Perspective On Psychedelics

[Focus Shift]

Zen Buddhism seems to have a mixed view on psychedelics, which of course varies depending on the Zen Master you speak to. On the one hand, it cannot be denied that psychedelics produce mystical experiences as described in eastern writings. It is not uncommon for people to have a psychedelic experience and then take up a meditation practice soon after. Others who are more traditional think that psychedelics are a cheat, and produce a more shallow kensho (as opposed to getting there purely with decades of meditation). Is the belief that enlightenment can only be attained through meditation (and not through psychedelics) just religious dogma, or is it beneficial to have a practice like Yoga or Zen before radically altering one's consciousness? 

Edited April 10, 2021 by Focus Shift