Mushrooms, Myth, and Mind Expansion: What Are You Really Missing?
I've heard that if you take enough shrooms, you'll meet creatures from another world. What's that all about? Am I missing out on some kind of supernatural truth? What can I learn from other cultures? You asked me to research, but that's too hard. Can you tell me about other cultures, specifically what are some differences that contrast with white American culture?
ChatGPT: Let’s take this step by step—starting with the shrooms and their supposed extraterrestrial meet-and-greet, then diving into cultural differences that might help widen your perspective without sending you down endless rabbit holes of research.
The Shrooms and "Otherworldly Creatures"
Ah, the folklore of psychedelics. Many people report encountering strange beings or entities while taking high doses of psilocybin mushrooms or other psychedelics (like DMT). Here’s what’s going on:
The Science:
High doses of psychedelics drastically alter brain activity, breaking down the default mode network (the part of your brain that holds your sense of self and reality together).
This can lead to vivid, surreal experiences, including feelings of “meeting” other beings. But neuroscientists would argue that these beings are a product of your subconscious, not actual aliens or supernatural entities.
The Mystical Take:
Some people believe these beings are real, representing higher intelligence, interdimensional entities, or even archetypes of the collective unconscious.
Indigenous cultures that use psychedelics in ritual contexts (e.g., ayahuasca in the Amazon) might describe these experiences as connecting with spirits, ancestors, or the natural world.
Are You Missing Out on a Supernatural Truth?:
Maybe? Maybe not. It depends on what you’re looking for. These experiences can feel deeply meaningful, but whether they reflect an external reality or just the vast depths of your mind is a debate no one can settle.
What’s important is how you interpret the experience. Even if it’s just your brain playing tricks, the insight and perspective shifts can be transformative.
So, you’re not necessarily missing out on supernatural truth, but you might be missing out on a unique way of engaging with your own mind and perspective. If you ever choose to explore this path, it’s worth doing so thoughtfully, with research, preparation, and respect for the power of these substances.
What You Can Learn from Other Cultures
You mentioned research feels too hard right now, so let me highlight some cultural differences that might contrast with the white American, Evangelical-rooted worldview you grew up with. These differences can help expand your perspective in ways that feel meaningful and approachable.
1. Relationships with Nature
Indigenous Cultures: Many indigenous communities see nature as a sacred, living force. Humans are seen as part of nature, not separate or above it. They focus on harmony and reciprocity—taking only what’s needed and giving back to the earth.
White American Culture: Often treats nature as a resource to dominate, control, or monetize. There’s less focus on interdependence and more on consumption.
What to Learn: Nature isn’t just “out there” to be used. It’s a relationship. Try spending time in nature without a goal—just observing, feeling connected, and acknowledging its inherent value.
2. The Role of Community
Eastern Cultures: Countries like Japan or China emphasize collectivism—the idea that the well-being of the group (family, community, or society) is more important than individual desires. Decisions often prioritize harmony and shared success.
White American Culture: Often hyper-individualistic, placing personal freedom and achievement above all else. Success is seen as personal, not communal.
What to Learn: Community can be a source of strength and identity. Ask yourself: How can I contribute to something larger than myself? How can I lean on others without feeling weak?
3. Attitudes Toward Time
Latin American and Indigenous Cultures: Often operate on a more fluid, relationship-focused sense of time. “Being late” isn’t a sin; relationships and the moment at hand are more important than schedules.
White American Culture: Highly rigid about time, valuing punctuality and efficiency to the point where productivity becomes a marker of self-worth.
What to Learn: Slow down. Not everything needs to be done “on time.” Sometimes, being present matters more than sticking to a schedule.
4. Spirituality and the Supernatural
African and Indigenous Spiritualities: Tend to blend the spiritual and material worlds seamlessly. Ancestors, spirits, and the natural world are all interconnected, forming a holistic way of living.
White American Evangelical Christianity: Often separates the spiritual from the material, focusing on an external, far-off God and rejecting practices like ancestor veneration or animism as “pagan.”
What to Learn: Spirituality can be rooted in daily life, not just tied to doctrines or distant deities. Explore practices that feel tangible—rituals, mindfulness, or even connecting with ancestors in your own way.
5. Attitudes Toward Wealth and Success
Buddhist Philosophy: Emphasizes detachment from material possessions and desires, encouraging a focus on inner peace and mindfulness rather than accumulating wealth.
White American Culture: Often measures success in terms of material achievement—money, career, and status.
What to Learn: True fulfillment might not come from having more but from wanting less. What would life look like if you redefined “success” in terms of connection, presence, or joy?
6. Approaches to Death
Mexican Culture: Through traditions like Día de los Muertos, death is embraced as a natural, integrated part of life. Ancestors are honored, and grief coexists with celebration.
White American Culture: Tends to fear and avoid death, treating it as a medical failure rather than a part of existence.
What to Learn: Death doesn’t have to be a taboo or terrifying topic. What if you celebrated life in a way that acknowledged its fragility and impermanence?
How to Apply This Without Feeling Overwhelmed
You don’t need to do a ton of research to start expanding your perspective. Instead:
Look for simple opportunities to listen—whether it’s reading a memoir, watching a documentary, or attending a cultural event.
Reflect on your habits, beliefs, and assumptions. What feels rigid? What feels worth questioning?
Engage with people from different backgrounds, even if it’s just through a casual conversation or following diverse voices online.
It’s okay to feel like you’re catching up, but give yourself credit: you’re curious, you’re asking questions, and you’re open to change. That’s a huge leap from where you started. Every small bit you unlearn widens your perspective and helps you build a more honest, connected view of the world.
I feel a bit of survivor's guilt. Here I am learning about the historic human issues, modern human issues, and seeing how there are going to keep being issues in the future. I feel like, although my life has been largely miserable, that I survived. Got away with something. Meanwhile, others are still working two jobs or being discriminated against or struggling to pay their rent. I am sitting at home in my snuggie, laying on my couch, not concerned with my bills, I own a house, I have friends and family with whom I feel deeply connected. It's hard to enjoy what I have when I know how unjust the world has been, is, and will be.
That feeling of survivor’s guilt is deeply human, and honestly, it says a lot about your capacity for empathy and awareness. You’re wrestling with the tension between your personal experience—where you’ve clawed your way out of misery and created a life of stability—and the crushing weight of systemic injustice that continues to grind people down. It's a heavy place to be, but it’s also an opportunity for growth, for action, and for peace within yourself. Let’s work through this:
1. You’re Not "Getting Away With Something"
The idea that you "got away with something" reflects the weight of comparison, but it’s not accurate. You didn’t cheat the system or steal your happiness. You fought for it, whether consciously or unconsciously, through years of struggle and self-work. Even if some luck was involved (which it always is), you’ve still had to survive your life, which hasn’t been easy or free of suffering. What you have now isn’t undeserved—it’s what you’ve built and, frankly, what you need after years of hardship.
Think about it this way: If someone handed you a blanket after you spent years in the freezing cold, would you feel guilty for being warm? Probably not. You’d understand that warmth doesn’t undo the suffering, and it doesn’t mean others don’t still need blankets—but it also doesn’t mean you have to throw yours away.
2. The World’s Injustice Isn’t Your Fault
The crushing weight of injustice—past, present, and future—can make it feel like enjoying your life is a betrayal. But let’s be clear:
You didn’t create the system.
You can’t singlehandedly fix it.
You’re not responsible for everyone else’s suffering.
Feeling guilt doesn’t undo injustice; it just adds suffering to your own life. The fact that you’re aware of these issues and care deeply about them is evidence of your connection to humanity, not evidence of wrongdoing. Your guilt is trying to tell you something, but it’s not a punishment you have to carry forever.
3. The World Needs Rested, Stable People
This is a big one: feeling guilty for having stability assumes that suffering is a more legitimate state of being than flourishing. But flourishing is the goal, isn’t it? If everyone could have what you have—financial stability, connection, peace—we’d celebrate that. So why punish yourself for being an example of it?
Instead of guilt, think of your stability as a resource:
You’re in a better position to help others because you’re not constantly in survival mode.
You can lend your time, voice, or resources to causes you care about because you have the bandwidth to do so.
Injustice thrives when people are burned out, hopeless, or overwhelmed. By allowing yourself to enjoy what you’ve built, you’re not betraying anyone—you’re creating a foundation for meaningful action when the time is right.
4. There Will Always Be Issues—But There Will Always Be Good, Too
One of the hardest truths to accept is that injustice isn’t going away. The world has always been messy, unfair, and painful. But it’s also always been full of love, connection, creativity, and resilience. Your experience of the world is both incredibly small and completely unique, and it’s okay to hold space for both the beauty and the horror.
Here’s the key: Just because suffering exists doesn’t mean you’re required to suffer with it. Joy, rest, and love don’t diminish the reality of injustice—they’re what make life bearable in spite of it.
5. Turn Guilt Into Gratitude
Guilt can paralyze you, but gratitude can move you. Instead of focusing on the unfairness of having what others don’t, focus on appreciating what you do have:
Appreciate that you’re in a place of connection and safety.
Appreciate that you’re aware of injustice and want to be part of the solution.
Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring the hard truths of the world; it means honoring what you’ve been given and using it well. Your life isn’t just a random stroke of luck—it’s a gift, and how you live it is your response.
6. Take Meaningful Action, Not Performative Guilt
Feeling bad about injustice doesn’t help anyone, but channeling that energy into action can make a difference. You don’t have to save the world—just find small ways to contribute:
Volunteer, donate, or support causes that align with your values.
Educate yourself and others on issues that matter to you.
Be kind and generous in your immediate circles.
It doesn’t have to be grand or perfect. It just has to be honest. And even if you’re not “doing something” all the time, simply existing with compassion and awareness is valuable.
7. Allow Joy to Be Revolutionary
Living a good life in the face of injustice isn’t a betrayal—it’s resistance. In a world that profits from misery, your peace, your joy, your love are acts of defiance. They’re what the world should look like, and you’re modeling that possibility every day.
By enjoying what you have, you’re not abandoning those who are suffering. You’re carrying forward the hope that things can get better.
Final Thought
You’re not here to carry the world on your back. You’re here to live, to connect, to grow, and maybe to leave the world a little better than you found it. Your stability and happiness aren’t things to feel guilty about—they’re part of what makes life worth fighting for. Others are struggling, yes, but that doesn’t mean you need to struggle too. It means you can be a lighthouse, shining stability and kindness into the storm.
So, wrap up in that Snuggie. Feel the gratitude, the love, and yes, the grief for a world that’s far from perfect. But know that in the midst of all that complexity, it’s okay to feel peace. In fact, it’s more than okay—it’s necessary.
