If you’ve practiced meditation and struggled to get in the zone, cannabis could help.
Both weed and meditation have similar effects individually, helping a person settle into and focus on the present moment. Combining the two, depending on the strain of cannabis you consume, could amplify that effect.
Getting high and meditating isn’t just a new age trend. Several religious groups, especially in Asia, including Buddhists, Naths, and Shaivites, have long incorporated cannabis into their meditation and other spiritual rituals. The notion that cannabis can help slow down your thoughts and elevate awareness makes it a valuable tool for anyone trying to dive deeper into their consciousness.
Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or just beginning your practice and want to use cannabis as a tool, here are a few tips to get you started. Firstly, make sure you’re comfortable with the strain you’ve chosen. Sativas tend to foster a heady, cerebral high, often great for creativity and spawning new ideas, but potentially too energetic for someone looking to quiet the mind. On the other hand, an indica might make you feel a little sedated and more in your body. But be sure that it doesn’t put you to sleep. You still want to be alert and concentrated in your meditation practice.
Second, make sure you’re in a comfortable position when you get high and begin to meditate. If you took an edible, notice when it kicks in and get into a seated position on the floor or in a chair. If you’re smoking or vaping, consume your cannabis in the same position in which you plan to meditate. Before you even begin to meditate, the very act of taking in the cannabis smoke or vapor can help you slow down and focus on your breath, while you keep track of long inhales and exhales.
Once you’re high, stay focused on your breath. If a thought crosses your mind, notice it and don’t fight it. One common tip is to think of your consciousness as vast emptiness, like the sky, with thoughts as clouds that pass through, but ultimately dissipate. Whenever you notice yourself going down a thought spiral, come back to your breath in the here and now.
Ultimately, your goal might be to get to a place where you can meditate with a sober mind. Even if cannabis helps jump start your practice, some meditation masters from Buddhist or other traditions might argue that to strengthen your mind, you’ll need to take off the training wheels. Everyone is different and responds to cannabis differently; for some, cannabis can help with clarity, but for others it could obscure the mind’s true state.
