sine0

Hello, this is my first post here, and I can only speak through my own experience and understanding. Most religions are based upon the ripples in a pond left by one man's enlightenment or inner spiritual experience. The dogma and rituals that follow are often just calcified echoes like Chinese whispers because there is no frame of reference for the inner experience, and it cannot be given, sold, stolen or forced. Some are lucky and become the saints and mystics and still even their teachings and revelations are unpalatable misunderstood. In the deepest levels of suffering, no man, doctor, therapist, healer, friend can console you or comfort you. It is in that rawest and most desperate of states that your tears, prayers and intentions are laid bare and fused with your pure will and ultimate surrender (ego) you can make a breakthrough. John of the Cross called it the Dark night of the soul. I have heard some sects choose suffering, but its just a hack from a primitive time and like that plant medicine stuff it is not needed if you do the correct practices.