Jack Cain: Psychedelics and Buddhism

The Abiders Urban Achiever Podcast

Alright, ya'll here it is... the long-awaited, ever procrastinated, perhaps overdue Season 3 of the podcast!!! I am so freaking excited to announce that we're kicking off the season with the return of Indiana NORML's Jack Cain! Jack had a long and successful career in sales and has dedicated his life to the service of people. In his most recent capacity, I met him during his time as a member of the Indiana chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. What I was surprised to learn during the podcast we did about the organization is that Jack is also a practicing Buddhist with a breadth of knowledge on the history and practice of Buddhism. I was also very interested to find out about our shared passion for the study of psychedelic compounds.

What better way to premiere the new season with a discussion about psychedelics and their impact on society, the ego, our relationship with the environment, and our ability to communicate with others. Further, we discuss similarities and common ground between the use of psychedelics and Buddhist practice. Where do one's conclusions interact and where might they diverge? What lessons can be drawn from the two and, as author and earth poet Stephen Harrod Buhner has pointed out if one can't or chooses not to "take the jet plane" to nirvana, how can we cultivate practices that prefer the cross-country ride in the station wagon if you will?

We also talk about the "OK Boomer" phenomenon. As Jack points out, baby boomers aren't the problem. The mindset of the culture is the problem, the way we administer capitalism, the way we as westerners see our world which is informed by language, trauma, and the media to name a few. As Jack articulates, pointing the fingers at a particular generational group is short-sighted and reductionist by design. Not all boomers fit the George Carlin bit of the whiniest generation ever. It's evident by the existence of people LIKE Carlin and Jack. If we are to create a more just, caring, and humanistic society; a position of means-testing which group the more pious than the others will not likely bear good fruit.

Jack is such a cool guy to talk to man... I really could listen to him for hours. After we finished the podcast, Jack and I went for a walk down the nature trails on my property and talked about life, love, loss, and grief. We shared our hopes for the future and how our present has been informed by our own pasts. He's a real mentor of mine, an elder that is, as the Dude was, a man for his time. I hope those of you who take the time to "listen to the Dude's story" will be as enlivened and as moved as I was.... sitting in the living room on the mics or in the woods being counseled by my friend and mentor.

Also worth mentioning is in the intro I discuss what I've been up to the past six or so months. I talk a little about COVID and how it's affected me, trips I've been on, and things going on locally here. Great episode to start the season!

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