Hi Dark BB - I can relate!
I have only recently begun exploring with Salvia myself. Love your story! You might not have had a breakthrough, but you definitely were being *taught* something important by Ska Maria. Awesome. OEV's should be do-able. And more interesting all-around experiences.
Not by necessarily increasing the Salvorin dose.
I recommend reconsidering HOW you ingest it. The shamans make a quid out of leaves, and so far the people I know who have had the best results endorse quidding. (see the Hyperlink below) or other non-smoking consumption.
Those who know say smoking is simply not the best approach to this plant, and is only to be done under very special circumstances... I believe these people.
BUT have not quidded yet and have yet to experience a breakthrough myself. I am really comfortable with other entheogens, but this one just leaves me asking questions. Fortunately we are not alone, and as I said there is much basic research that is well documented.
So this is the state of my
personal research, but first a pointer to where you can look for the real solid chemistry and all the basic facts:
http://www.sagewisdom.org/ This is really a great resource, and I have only scratched the surface, kids.
There is a lot of good information on the internet about Salvia. More mis-information than good of course, just as with Spice.
The best news is that it's LEGAL in most places at least. We can't assume that it will remain that way forever though.AND iMHO it is important to be responsible about using Salvia so that it remains this way.
Being responsible in the use of legal(and otherwise!) psychotropic substances is vital if we value our cognitive and personal freedoms.
This aware and responsible custodial attitude should extend to include ALL the legal entheogens that are left to us.
I LOVE this Forum because everyone I have *met* here is having fun, and/or they are doing work on their ascension to higher consciousness but they also are
GROWNUPS about life. (And the ones who mis-behave SHOULD get tossed out, thank you Traveler)
We need to protect the legal status of salvia and all of the psychotropics we can grow or create!
Having said that, Salvia of course is not a party drug, and I think a lot of people treat it that way. She'll lay you flat on your ass if you do, but from what I have heard the breakthrough has time to build, and give the brain time to integrate. Whatever the scientific reasons, I am determined to try ths idea out and will report back. (It could be a week or two)
The first time I tried Salvia I almost decided to never do it again. Well, I have a lot to learn and will go this roqad.
I encourage you not to give up since you got so *close.*
Amen I am done preaching. Now I will go peek into my leftover 10X to see about making tea...check the web site I gave you. Keep in touch? :-)
-FM
Salvia is easy to grow. And like with Ayahuasca, it is important to prepare mentally and have "intent" on entering into the whole experience.
My understanding is that the breakthrough is like no other. I have not had the chance; Salvia smoke has knocked me on my butt too many times I feel dizzy not enlightened, and I want to try quidding. I am not an expert, but I was where you are. Frustrated and *teased.* So i have been looking into it more deeply.
"If you rely only on your eyes, your other senses weaken."
- Frank Herbert, Dune