As legalization spreads across the U.S. and the world, there is much discussion of its use for medicinal and recreational purposes but often forgotten is its use as a guide to spirituality and enlightenment.

Terry Turner, an ordained Minister of Religious Science with a Master’s Degree in Consciousness Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology has written a short treatise on Cannabis and Spiritual Practice explaining his belief that "The states of consciousness available through cannabis use can be even deeper than those achieved by seasoned meditators without the years of discipline and training. Used reverentially and with proper intention, it is capable of ushering its initiates into the realm of savikalpa samadhi, the portal of mystical or unitive consciousness."

Rev. Turner emphasizes that the cannabis plant, being a mild psychedelic or entheogen, was seen by ancient cultures and remains today as a powerful and sacred tool that deserves to be treated with care and respect.

Tracing its use back to 2000 B.C.E. in the ancient Hindu Vedas where cannabis was revered as a sacred plant used for health, pleasure and meditation, Rev. Turner asks the question is it morally acceptable to get high? Rev. Turner challenges our reliance on materialist science and technology for solutions to life’s various challenges and our tendency to consider ancient spirit-based cultures as primitive and superstitious. 

The U.S. government enforces this belief by continuing to deny the protection of the 1^st amendment which prevents government from “prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” to any group which uses cannabis as a sacrament.

Rev. Turner is an ordained Minister of Religious Science. He holds a Master’s Degree in Consciousness Studies from Holmes Institute as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology.  He has been a sojourner on the spiritual path for almost 50 years and has been using cannabis  for recreational medicinal and mostly spiritual purposes for about 50 years as well. He is also an informal student of such diverse disciplines as evangelical Christianity, kundalini yoga, I Ching, holotropic breathwork, entheobotany, and shamanic studies. He currently makes his home in Desert Hot Springs, CA

Want to learn more including how you can participate in a guided session in the use of cannabis for meditation with Rev. Turner? Then read on:

1. Read Rev. Turner's short treatise on Cannabis and Spiritual Practice in which he explores the uses of cannabis in the practice of spirituality by discussing the intent of its use, how to create a safe and sacred space for its use, the importance of set and setting and understanding the proper ingestion and dose. To read Rev. Turner's treatise CLICK HERE.

2. Listen to my interview with Rev. Turner and in depth exploration of Cannabis and Spiritual Practice on my internet radio show podcast by CLICKING HERE.

3. Join Rev. Turner for an in-person guided session for using cannabis for meditation and spiritual practice at the MAPP meetings in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree on Saturday, Feb. 1. Everyone is invited to attend and there is no charge for admission.

The Palm Springs/Coachella Valley MAPP meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 12 noon at Crystal Fantasy, 268 N. Palm Canyon, Palm Springs CA 92262.

The Joshua Tree/Yucca Valley MAPP meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. at the legendary Beatnik Lounge, 61597 Twenty-Nine Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree CA 92252.