Meditation and Intoxicants: Space

Encounter

Every encounter is an event that takes place somewhere at a specific moment in our lives. When two people meet, a place is created where something happens at a given time. What exactly that is depends entirely on those who are present.

Meditation does not stand in the way of such encounters—quite the contrary. One can also meditate together. In that case meditation leaves the strictly personal sphere and becomes something communal, something we bring into being together.

Whenever people come together—provided they are open to one another—something particular and meaningful will occur that cannot occur elsewhere.

By meditating together one shares a certain vulnerability. Meditation is, after all, an intimate experience. We wish to cherish it, but also to share it, and between these two impulses there exists a tension.

By sharing something vulnerable and precious we run the risk of losing it, of diminishing its value, or of seeing it tarnished or damaged. Yet if we merely continue to protect and cherish it alone, it may also die for lack of light and air, or at the very least bear little fruit.

In principle everyone is welcome and no one is excluded beforehand. Nevertheless we must remain selective when it comes to accepting volunteers or responding to requests for help.

We must take account of our own limited capacity and not take on responsibilities that we cannot carry.

Especially when working with users of intoxicating substances, we must be aware that caution is required in dealing with individuals who struggle with their use or with their own personalities.

In the selection process we must first ensure that these people pose no danger to our volunteers.

Beyond that there are several minimal conditions that candidates must meet. Broadly speaking, they must be capable of conducting a meaningful conversation and of remaining silent for half an hour during a meditation exercise.

This is precisely what the intake procedure is meant to determine: whether it makes sense to respond to a request. If we decide not to proceed, we must explain our reasons.

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