Entheogens have a role as "gateways of perception". They show us what is beyond "normal" consciousness. In my experiences taking magic mushrooms, many times, many years ago, when taken in a suitable setting, with an appropriate attitude (that of spiritual seeker), they kick started me on my spiritual journey. Through them I was taught many things, most significantly (in the context of this discussion here) that true spiritual progress requires a natural drug-free approach of working on the self through meditation and self checking. It was made clear to me that lasting enlightenment cannot be reached through simply taking any form of medicine. Drugs distort our experience, and damage our psychic auras, but they did play a valuable role for me: that of letting me peek through the "doors of perception."

So, I agree fully that true spiritual progress can only be made through being "clean" and working towards ever-increasing purity of the self (through facing and releasing, bit by bit, what Eckart Tolle refers to as "the pain body"). The first steps, for me, were becoming vegetarian (then vegan), and learning to meditate - both of these I started during my entheogenic phase, and it was only then that I started getting answers to my questions. As I said, these answers soon told me to drop the drugs.

However, I do not think it is helpful at all when people who have had no experience of entheogens dismiss them, or rail against them. For me, entheogens played a vital and very helpful role in my spiritual journey. I am very grateful for them, and I am sure many others can benefit in a similar way. The important message is not to avoid them at all costs, but to be prepared when/if you take them: the right setting and company, the right attitude (spiritual seeker, not entertainment seeker). And, be aware that there will be a comedown period, when the absence, in everyday life, of the elevated consciousness that was temporarily induced by the drug, can hit you hard. "Normal" consciousness can seem very flat, dull, and empty, after entheogenic experiences.

I have learned that the only way to bring the elevated consciousness permanently into your everyday life is through spiritual effort, without drugs. But the drug experiences taught me that!

We all have different paths, different ways of getting there. But, the basis for lasting enlightenment is purity, not medicine. We get there through intense meditation, not through intense medicine. This requires a lot of time and effort. There is no quick fix.