Hello Everyone!

Before I go any further and introduce myself, I'd like to say thank you to all of the contributors on this site. The wealth and depth of information available here is staggering. So, thank you all for your generosity and hard work. I appreciate it, as I am sure do many others.

I'm male and in my forties nowadays. I was raised in the deep South but don't hold that against me
I am a regular cannabis user, advocate, and occassional grower. As far as psychedelics are concerned, I did a lot of LSD and mushrooms during the late 80s and early 90s, but never had an OBE, likely due to inadequate dosage. I did however have some great times! Times and people change as they always do, and my psychedelic usage tapered off as I pursued a career and drifted away from friends. It wasn't until about 7 years ago that I again tried a heavy psychedelic, salvia, and let me tell you it blew me straight out of the universe, turning everything I thought I knew on its ear! Hell, I am still processing that experience on the daily, over 7 years afterwards. I have yet to try DMT, but it is on my to-do list when I feel my life is in the right spot. And until I get to that place, I am here to learn and grow.

I don't consider myself to be a particularly interesting person, but I have lived an interesting life (in both the literal and chinese proverb senses of the phrase). My experiences have provided me with some hard-won insights I suspect few are fortunate enough to obtain. It is my hope at this stage in my life to put those insights to good use rather than squander them. In fact, that's a big part of the reason I joined the Nexus and am writing this now. Those insights have among other things, led me to realize that I will never be happy, and in fact am likely to be miserable, if I do not begin living my life for myself and on my own terms, rather than trying to shoehorn my desires and aspirations into cultural norms.

I personally feel that to live your life and never truly know yourself is to miss the entire point of the experience. This belief has led me on a quest over the last couple of years to simplify my own life, purge whatever negative influences I can (people, jobs, activities, thought patterns), and begin to fill my life with the things which resonate for me at a deep level. Among those things which resonate for me is a desire to reincorporate psychedelics into my life. However this time, instead of just enjoying them for fun, I'd like to use them to explore myself, enhance my creativity, and see where the journey takes me. It is my suspicion that with my new insights, psychedelics will take me far.

I could have passed by the dmt-nexus, silently harvesting what information I needed for my upcoming DMT journey, then went along my merry way. You people put enough information out there such that joining this community isn't necessary. However, as I said previously, I am in the process of filling my life with positive things which resonate for me. After exploring this community, seeing how wonderful its members are, and most of all the emphasis on ATTITUDE and treating each other with respect, I felt compelled to join you. It is my hope that I can at some point contribute something that one or more of you will find meaningful.

Thanks for sticking with me and reading this. I hope it wasn't too long-winded!

- MasonJarBong

HOWDY!!

Your post reminds me of a quote from Socrates who stated "The unexamined life is not worth living." Sounds like you are taking a good look at yourself. I can relate to your pursuits. I would also say that your are, indeed, interesting. Don't sell yourself short. Really enjoyed your introduction and got a real sense of how interesting you are in a few short words.

Happy travels my friend!

Good to meet ya, DmnStr8. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Anyone who can quote Socrates is interesting in my book, so right back at you. I've only begun to delve into philosophy over the last 6 months myself. My only regret is waiting so late into life to begin that exploration, but perhaps it's just as well. It's quite possible that I did not have the perspective and experience necessary to truly appreciate the words of the most excellent Socrates (among others). It's also gratifying to see that I am likely on the right path.

Thanks again my friend!