Peyote as an Inspirational Medicine
The peyote experience can lead one to a new understanding of the inner world
as it affects outer reality. This perception becomes a source of inspiration
and revelation. Each person brings their own personal history, expectations,
and makeup to their sacramental communion. Likewise, each individual experiences
what they are ready to receive. In this way every peyote journey is exactly
fashioned to the needs of the communicant.
Peyote is not always a flight into normally unseen mystical realities. Depending
on one's particular stage of life, information is sometimes received concerning
very basic, if not mundane, aspects of daily life which might need closer
reflection or modification. Accordingly, we believe Divine, rather than
human intervention, to be the most healing opportunity for growth. Direct
connection to our Source (whatever one believes that to be), and not dogma,
is the medicine which truly quenches spiritual thirst.
Peyote will not change our lives or habits for us, but it may allow a greater
view of how we might beneficially help ourselves. At The Peyote Foundation,
we each have our own personal areas of life which the medicine seems to
point out to our hearts.
One inspiration which we hold in common is the spiritual responsibility
to caretake peyote in a respectful way. We believe that caring for the living
peyote plant in this manner is a spiritual devotion in and of itself. This
is an act which requires devotion and patience. The daily rewards of having
these mandala-like plants in one's presence brings an obvious blessing to
the heart and mind. It is not so much then, the consumption of peyote from
which we derive benefit, but also, the appreciation and awareness of what
the plant and its growth cycle is that provides a daily source of inspiration.
Recommended Reading: Mount, G. (Ed.), The Peyote Book: A Study of Native
Medicine, Sweetlight Books, 1988.
Pinkson, T.S., Flowers of Wiricuta: A Gringo's Journey to Shamanic Power,
Wakan Press, 1995.
d'Azevedo, W., Straight With the Medicine, Heyday Books, 1978.
Myerhoff, B., Peyote Hunt: The Sacred Journey of the Huichol Indians, Cornell
Univ. Press, 1974.
The Peyote Way Church of God, "The Sacred Record", Newsletter
of the Church, Box 7x, Rt 1, Willcox, Az. 85643.
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