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The "Spectrum of Spirit" blog features insightful articles, essays, and reflections penned by the founder, Paul, and diverse guest contributors. Focusing on contemporary spirituality, the blog offers regular updates with weekly themes and seasonal reflections, fostering ongoing engagement and a deeper understanding of spiritual practices and trends.

What If the Priest-King Guided Us Through Plant Medicine, Sadhana, and Passion?

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By

Paul Hudson

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11–16 minutes

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In the Old Testament, there is an account of Moses watching an inflamed bush that would not burn out. Additionally, there is a story of Jonah sitting under a leafy plant for shade. In the New Testament, the author tells the audience Jesus cursed a fig tree. I am familiar with the Christian tradition and use these examples to relate the connections of religious stories to plants, trees, and nature as a whole. I believe the environment is important to almost all religions and cultures. For some, the environment becomes a passion worth dedicating their life to. These individuals grow in wisdom and power beyond their years. I believe when we reach a level of understanding and expression of ourselves, our motivations and efforts begin to point to the environment, including the natural, spiritual, cultural and creative. I believe the shift of perspective to our environment could be a sign of moving towards a better version of ourselves, weaving the mysteries of our world together. I would go as far to say this shift is progression into an elevated/royalty archetype of oneself in a combination of discipline and fire.

In ancient times, spiritual leaders were not just authoritative in their spiritual community, but in the community as a whole. They have been seen as guides for individuals in their personal journey and as a director in the improvement of community life. The archetype of spiritual leaders were seen as the teachers and doctors of the area. Others brought the essence of peace in times of heavy cultural disagreement. Some spiritual leaders also prioritized providing encouragement to pursue artistic endeavors. No matter the role the leader decided to bear, they assisted their community to uncover new ways of living in their environment through awareness and mastery.

Teachings of the Priest-King

Disclaimer. I have never had or advocated for plant medicine and this blog is not promoting the use or experiences plant medicine can give a person. However, I do think it’s important to be aware of the product and the experiences people have had with it.

In the Highest Self Podcast, Sahara Rose is joined by Daniela Gil as they share stories of their experience with plant medicine.1 Daniela recalls the first time she had an experience with plant medicine.2 She shares she went on a hike in the sacred valley where Huachuma, the plant medicine, is native to.3 She goes further telling us that the wisdom and healing that she received was easily transferred to her because of the history of the people who had previously had an experience with Huachuma.4 She closes out her recollection, stating because of the history and energy the land holds, what she was receiving was easily transferable to her due to the tradition that has lasted there for centuries, the information sliding through the mental density humans build through their experience.5

From this retelling, I believe there is power in being present within the cultural and spiritual traditions of the land you are in. There is a supernatural power in play when you connect with nature in a way you can understand its place in history and what has occurred there. I believe this is what made the spiritual leaders of their time so special. When Moses reconnected with his Hebrew spirituality and culture, Jonah came to terms with his spiritual and cultural calling, and when Jesus claimed his spiritual and cultural authority, these characters became leaders in their community. They guided groups they were a part of and enemies of them to reflect on their actions and have a deeper, more holistic connection with the world around them.

Later on in the podcast, Daniela talks about her experience dissolving the barriers she once had in her life.6 Daniela mentions how in her process she realized the oneness between her and others around her.7 Daniela emphasizes the importance of recognizing the energy and the culture within the space we inhabit, so that the barriers we have created to protect ourselves in our youth can be broken down as we mature.8 Daniela dives deeper into the brain patterns, expressing the shame that resided in her, was subtly projected onto the rest of her world. Through Daniela’s experience, she states she was able to face these shadows head on, and honor the life we share with our environment.9

As Daniela was informing me with her experience, I was reminded of Biblical stories. The story of Moses begins with a young Hebrew man growing up in Egyptian royalty. I believe through most of Moses’s life, he was processing the oneness between himself and the Hebrew slaves. He acted on these feelings early in his life, to where I would say he didn’t understand the Hebrew culture or the Egyptian culture well enough. Moses had to flee for a time and returned later having a new spiritual and cultural understanding that allowed him to be a hero for his people. Older Moses recognized the culture of the land and broke down barriers the people Moses identified with had held for generations. I believe Moses was consumed by his shame, which led him to flee. Once Moses faced his shame, he was able to be the best version of himself for the Hebrew and lead his people to their own plants, trees, and nature. I believe Moses, as well as other ancient spiritual leaders, taught the people to find their own environment to care for, so the people he identified can be the clergy and royalty they were created to be.

Energy of the Priest-King

I used to work summer camps in my teenage years. Sometimes, the job would require me to play hour long games of soccer and kickball with the campers, where I would leave my phone out in the hot sun. When the game would come to a close, I would pick up my phone to realize it was overheated, losing energy, and had no battery because of overconsumption of the sun’s energy. I should have been more disciplined and put my phone somewhere where the sun’s rays wouldn’t destroy my phone. I believe this analogy can give us some spiritual insight. I believe life is about harmony, finding balance through an understanding and expression of oneself. Exposing ourselves to the same practice is similar to letting the sun overheat the phone, the energy and life we have gets sucked into one archetype of ourselves. I believe life fluctuates through seasons, and these different seasons should be accompanied by different disciplines, just like we shouldn’t leave our phone in the sun all day. Embracing the shade and the sun, as well as the spiritual and the cultural, reminds us spirituality is not just about the afterlife, but the dance of living energy within every being.

Sadhguru also gives an analogy to help explain the relationship between discipline and energy.10 Sadhguru opens up simplifying the journey of liberation, “steadily stay on the path”.11 Sadhguru continues explaining anyone who stays on the path of a river will eventually find the ocean.12 In Sadhguru’s analogy, the river is a river of life, flowing with life energy. Sadhguru believes spiritual Sadhana, or spiritual discipline, is about keeping within the flow of the life energy river.13 However, Sadhguru gives us a warning, he states just like a river has rocks and sandbanks that impede the flow of the water, getting lost in your bodily identity and your constraining social structures can impede the flow of your energy.14 Sadghuru recommends flowing with the river of energy to experience a sense of peace and harmony within yourself and with others.15

In our world today, the identities an individual may hold are expanding more and more. I believe it is important to breathe and check in with yourself to know what archetypes or identities you are holding on to that may impede your spiritual journey. Reflecting back on the ancient stories I am familiar with, Moses let go of his Egyptian identity after he realized there was dissonance in his soul. His example taught me to stay focused on the way I am currently growing, so I don’t become overwhelmed by the way others expect me to grow. Focusing on the way I am currently disciplining myself allows me to be more confident in my decisions and relieve myself of personal doubt. Focusing on the way I expend my energy allows me to remove superficial labels I have shamed myself with, and step into the royalty I believe we are all created to experience.

Wisdom of the Priest-King

Cultures grow stronger the more they are isolated. When one culture meets another friction tends to occur, and misunderstandings can lead to heavy conflict. Outsiders or foreigners can be scary to a group of people who agree to one way of living. I believe one way to navigate such high intensity arenas is to embrace the differences between two groups in a way that is not antagonistic. I believe bringing peace in settings of difference is preserving the core values of a group, coming from a stance of uniqueness rather than superiority. I believe the more someone can embrace the differences in the room the more they step into their best version of themselves. I believe being a leader in our current society, in the spiritual and cultural world, revolves around forming unity in times of division and cultural battles.

On the Multicultural Misfits Podcast, the boys get together to talk about home security and feeling safe in their home.16 Stereotypes of cultures are made about types of people who break into a property that is not their own, including racial and socioeconomic labels.17 One of the guy’s girlfriend’s family in Wisconsin does not lock their door.18 Next, they go into how it seems to be the worst neighborhoods have the least crime rate, suggesting it is because the neighborhood all knows each other.19 Later on they suggest a hypothetical, if they would rather be there for their own home robbery or be out of the house during their own home robbery.20 The guys first thought there is no question they would rather be away from the house.21 However, on further thought, they concluded (hopefully jokingly) they would want to be there because they’ve been waiting for the moment to “fight back” and “shoot their as-“.22

The “Get off my lawn” response the Multicultural Misfits crew expresses is one I’m not a fan of and I hope they were joking for entertainment purposes. In home invasion conversations, I do understand the need to protect a space that one has claimed as their own. I believe there needs to be respect for one’s cultural home and one’s boundaries. I also believe it could humble one to realize the land they claim as their own, has not always been their own. Celebrating the diversity of your land could unpack the layers of complexity behind ownership. Assuming what someone’s intentions are before having a conversation can unnecessarily escalate a situation. Having the wisdom to embrace an uncomfortable situation of trespassing a boundary can prevent the desolation of a relationship. Taking a deep breath and having a conversation will allow you to learn from others and find common ground, figuratively and literally. Recognizing the culture you hold as well as the culture of the other, strengthens your current identity and traditions. From Biblical literature, I believe if Jonah would have applied this wisdom and embraced the foreign culture of Nineveh on his hesitant journey, he would’ve been filled with royal grace rather than indignant rage.

Creativity of the Priest-King

I believe passion parts seas. Passion creates storms. Passion removes and replaces life. I believe passion is one of the greatest treasures one can find, that moves life forward like no other emotion. In the art world, passion is what separates the good from the great and the great from the elite. I believe, when living in a society that requires much of you but also gives you bits of freedom, the ability to separate revered tradition from creative modern life is necessary. On your journey of spiritual nobility, I would encourage you to make time for the pursuits that light a fire under you. I believe igniting the flame deep within our spirit will connect us to the purpose we adhere to, to grow us into the royalty we are all destined for.

On the BoldBrush show, Thomas Schaller shares his story of becoming a full-time artist with the host.23 Later on in the show, Thomas shares his belief that you will find a way to paint if you make painting your priority.24 Thomas shares that he didn’t always know how he was going to make it, as money was a challenge in his journey, but as long as painting was a priority, he figured it out and believes we all figure it out eventually.25 Thomas warns us the danger of visual art because of the comparisons we make with others, of how one’s work is better or worse than someone else. What helped Thomas along his journey was realizing his work is not better or worse but is just different and now works on more positive ways of criticizing his own work. Thomas believes we have everything we need to become a great artist, but it requires “turning over our psychological rocks” to understand and create our experience.26 Thomas shares that the paintings he makes that tend to sell are the ones he really loves and are passionate about, and Thomas believes the buyer can feel the connection he had with his passion project. Thomas’ final advice is not to take as much advice from others, and do what’s right for us, and trust their inner voice, prioritize it, and don’t doubt yourself.27

In the New Testament account, we are told Jesus was hungry. Jesus saw a fig tree with no fruit. When Jesus got closer he only found leaves. We are told it was not the season for figs. Jesus’ disciples heard him curse the tree, so no one would eat fruit from the tree again. I believe this is a short story to show Jesus’ passion and creativity. Jesus’ feelings of hunger led him to a curse the tree in a way that didn’t make sense to his disciples, and honestly doesn’t make much sense to me. However, I do believe Jesus acted in this way to serve the people who come after him. Jesus’ creative way of handling his distressing environment was something I believe only he experienced. I believe we can apply this principle to our life. Through any form of expression, especially artistic expression, I believe it is important to recognize our feelings, emotions, and passions as a gift of being present. I believe being present with our spirit allows us to enrich others with our passions, creativity, and spirituality. Prioritizing and cultivating your passions could allow you to serve and enrich others lives in a way you and others wouldn’t expect.

Call to the Priest-King

Find the best version of yourself. Replace shame with confidence. Embrace discipline, diversity, and discernment in your experiences. Draw deeply, both within yourself and as a practice. Make room to recognize the full spectrum of passions that make you you. Assume your royalty and authority to step into all that you were made to be. Lead yourself to become all that you were created to be, and be open to opportunities to lead others if asked to. Live your life with the courage of clergy and the refinement of royalty.

Bibliography

  1.  Highest Self Podcast, “572: All About The Plant Medicine San Pedro (Huachuma) + Live Akashic Record Channeling with Daniela Gil,” podcast audio, October 15, 2024, accessed October 16, 2024, https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ULJ6xOY10Dkw20BcPWV1q. ↩︎
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  10. The Sadhguru Podcast, “All spiritual sadhana is about keeping you as life energy without getting lost in identifications,” podcast audio, October 15, 2024, accessed October 17, 2024, https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ONAoI4VGcny7zIsH1swKs. ↩︎
  11. The Sadhguru Podcast ↩︎
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  16. Multicultural Misfits Podcast, “Get Off My Lawn,” podcast audio, October 15, 2024, accessed October 17, 2024, https://open.spotify.com/episode/6siZRqprddJxAfegD4zxcG. ↩︎
  17. Multicultural Misfits Podcast ↩︎
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  23. The BoldBrush Show, “104 Thomas Schaller – Prioritize Your Passion,” podcast audio, October 15, 2024, accessed October 17, 2024, https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DBcJPnu4t736hoF1vyF52. ↩︎
  24. The BoldBrush Show ↩︎
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