Soma

Copyright © 2023 Tomás Morales y Duran. All rights reserved

We will review the mystical methods available in the Central Continent (India) in the middle of the first millennium BCE and of which the Buddha was aware. The most popular and ancient method was a psychedelic drink called Soma. Soma was prepared based on Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala), a perennial herbaceous plant whose seeds contain the powerful alkaloids of the harmala family used for spiritual purposes since ancient Persian culture. It is important to note that Syrian Rue is different from the Rue known in the Mediterranean region which belongs to the Rudaceae family. This plant grows in temperate desert areas. It likes dry and impoverished soil from agriculture. The plant is native to a large strip from the Iberian Peninsula to northern China through Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Mongolia. The plant belongs to the family called Nitrariaceae and has a long and woody underground rhizome that can reach more than 6 meters deep. In winter the plant dies, but in spring it regrows from this root system in the form of different stems with spiny-looking leaves, which bear separate white flowers. In Persian culture, Syrian rue is a well-known hallucinogenic drug and medicine. According to some scientists, Syrian rue is the "mysterious" "haoma" plant spoken of in ancient Persian texts. This name "haoma" would be related to the Vedic word "Soma". Soma is a magical and divine plant or drink written in ancient Indo-Iranian texts, the actual meaning of which has been lost. However, the Greco-Roman physician, pharmacologist, and botanist Dioscorides (c. 40 CE– c. 90 CE) who practiced medicine in Rome, gave a description of the plant which he claims to be Peganum harmala. The Syrian rue seeds are probably the most interesting part because they contain certain potent substances called harmala alkaloids. More specifically, harmine and harmaline, two very strong alkaloids that can be used to make DMT active orally. Therefore, the seeds of Syrian rue are used, for example, to make an analogue of ayahuasca. It is analogous because both act in a similar way. Ayahuasca is usually prepared by combining a DMT-containing plant, called Psychotria viridis, with Banisteriopsis caapi, a vine that contains the same properties as Peganum harmala, in that it also makes DMT (dimethyltryptamine) orally active. DMT is one of the most powerful psychedelic substances known, also produced by the human body itself in the pineal gland. The reason why the body produces DMT is not yet clear to science, but data suggests that N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is involved in neuroplasticity, tissue protection, circadian regulation, and energy cycles. sleep. The specific way in which DMT works is as a serotonergic agonist, that is, it competes for serotonin receptors in neurons, potentiating its action and that of other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and epinephrine. As with Ayahuasca, the combination of plants, and therefore substances, ensures a very powerful psychedelic experience. The active ingredients harmine and harmaline were isolated in the 19th century. Banisteriopsis caapi was later found to contain these alkaloids as well. Today, Syrian rue is used as a substitute for Banisteriopsis caapi, since it is cheaper and has a similar effect. In addition, its preparation is easier. Some examples of the effects of Syrian rue are: A heavier physical sensation. The user generally prefers to sit or lie down quietly and experience a few external stimuli. Use at night is preferable, or at least with low light and sound. A strong "voice" interprets visions or images. More intense visual effects. There are also physical side effects that can occur, including nausea and vomiting, dizziness, sweating, and a loud buzzing sound. These side effects are usually stronger during the ascent and fade over time. A very important effect of Peganum harmala, moreover, is its function as an MAO inhibitor. Monoamine oxidases (abbreviation MAO) are enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of monoamines and the degradation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Peganum harmala temporarily prevents monoamine from doing its job and works by boosting these three important neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, and epinephrine. Considering that, furthermore, what appeared to be a private room with ceramic vessels containing traces of cannabis and ephedra was discovered in a large sanctuary in Turkmenistan dating from the 2nd millennium BCE, we could infer that Peganum harmala could be used mixed with cannabis, whose main the active pium, THC, is similar to anandamide. In this way, we would have four of the five active principles necessary to perform the first jhāna, as we will see later. However, since soma is a drink, it would be ruled out by the second criterion, as it is an external agent and, therefore, subject to dependency, so it does not produce "great fruits", and its value is very low, as expressed. the same Buddha on these two occasions recorded in the Anguttara Nikāya:

AN 4.39: With Ujjaya

Then the Ujjaya Brahmin approached the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and courtesy were over, he sat to one side and said to the Buddha:

"Master Gotama praises sacrifice?"

“Brahmin, I do not praise all sacrifices. Nor do I criticize all sacrifices. Take the type of sacrifice in which cattle, goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, and various types of creatures are slaughtered. I criticize that kind of violent sacrifice.

-Why is that?

"Because neither the Worthy nor those who have entered the path of final emancipation would attend such a violent sacrifice."

But let us take the type of sacrifice in which cattle, goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, and various kinds of creatures are not slaughtered. I praise that kind of non-violent sacrifice, for example frequent giving, donations made according to family tradition.

-Why is that?

—Because the Worthy and those who have entered the path of final emancipation would attend that non-violent sacrifice.

The sacrifice of horses, human sacrifices,

the sacrifices of the "throwing of sticks",

the "drink real soma" and the "without bars":

these enormous violent sacrifices do not produce great fruits.

The great sages of good conduct

they do not attend the sacrifices

where goats, sheep are killed

and cows, and various creatures.

But the great wise

of good conduct

attend non-violent sacrifices

according to family tradition

in which one does not kill

to goats, sheep, cows and various creatures.

A wise person should sacrifice like this,

because this sacrifice is very fruitful.

For a patron of sacrifices like this,

things get better, not worse.

Such a sacrifice is truly meritorious,

and even the devas are pleased.

AN 8.1: The benefits of benevolence

This I have heard. On one occasion, the Buddha was near Sāvatthī in the Jeta grove, the Anāthapiṇḍika monastery. There the Buddha addressed the bhikkhus:

“Bhikkhus!

"Venerable sir," they replied.

The Buddha said this:

—Bhikkhus, eight benefits can be expected when benevolence has been practised, developed and exercised, has become a vehicle and a base, has been maintained, consolidated and properly implemented.

"What eight?"

-Sleep well. Wake up happy. Don't have bad dreams. The benevolence of humans. The benevolence of non-humans. The protection of the devas. Protection against damage by fire, by poison and by the sword. To be reborn, at the very least, in a realm of Brahmā. These eight benefits can be expected when the liberation of consciousness through benevolence has been practised, developed and exercised, has become a vehicle and a base, has been maintained, consolidated and applied correctly.

A person realized

who develops boundless benevolence

weakens addictions,

Seeing the end of clinging.

To love a single creature with a mind without hate

it makes you a good person.

lover of all creatures,

a nobleman creates abundant merit.

Royal potentates conquered this land

and traveled sponsoring sacrifices:

horse sacrifices, human sacrifices,

the sacrifices of "throwing sticks," "drinking royal soma," and "uprooting."

These are not worth a sixteenth part

Of the mind developed with benevolence,

like all the constellations of stars

They are not worth a sixteenth of the moonlight.

If you don't kill or encourage others to kill,

you do not conquer or encourage others to conquer,

with benevolence for all beings,

you will not have enmity with anyone.