History of Feminism

Empathy is nothing without self-knowledge. Our strength comes from understanding ourselves and what is important to us. This is (in part) how people are able to persevere in spite of terrible conditions. Knowledge of self leads to a better understanding of others, which manifests in compassion, dignity, and courage. These things are power, and produce powerful people. Leaders, like MLK (always a good example for basically anything), knew themselves incredibly well. They had to. Because of that, they were able to not only lead, but speak truth, and literally change the world.

In part, this is why I am a huge advocate for the use of psychedelic drugs. LSD, DMT, and psilocybin mushrooms (among other things) all not only foster empathy, but self-knowledge. They encourage our minds to open up to new ideas, to looking at things from a different perspective. In doing so, you get to know yourself on levels that you can't even imagine. I have heard a friend talk about a DMT trip where his entire being disappeared. He was no more. It's called an ego death, and it is a very challenging thing to go through. You can get a basic sense of the concept by looking in the mirror--see the person there? It's a different being then you, even though it is you. Now imagine that the real you is gone, and you're looking on the person in the mirror. It's no longer you. It's...something else. Then take that concept and multiply it by 100, and that's an ego death. When you eventually return to your regular being, you have experienced yourself and a lack of self. The changes that makes...are hard to fully describe. But you understand who you are on more than a conscious level. You understand who you are. And that is often life-changing.

I know I experienced a similar realization (not the ego death) the first time I took psilocybin mushrooms. I immediately understood who I was, and what I wanted, and where I was going in life. And it changed me, drastically. I am a much better person today, and I am constantly working on improving myself. My entire life course switched directions. I am working on becoming a lawyer to fight for education reform and work on keeping young adults from entering the prison system. My strength, my passion, my love for the people around me--all of this stems from a deep understanding of who I am.