Junior Byles

[Ites]

i know this, leggo, but i know a lot out there who don't take part in the smoking aspect of the music. its also true that many artists and musicians has stopped smoking since the 'golden days'

still, its a common practice

i don't believe in doing it though, along with many others, and that's what i expressed

but, like i said, to each their own, its up to each person to take a stand what they believe in

if they choose to smoke, they should

if not, they simply won't

i don't judge them, they're free to do it, but i don't agree with it

[picaraza]

Ites,

I'm interested in your last statement: "i don't judge them, they're free to do it, but i don't agree with it"

Why don't you believe in it? Do you mean you don't believe it is a sacrament. Or that you don't believe in taking drugs?

And if you don't agree with it, are you not judging?

Not being critical. Just interested.

P.S. I don't smoke either. Don't even take a draw every once in a while.

[leggo rocker]

Indeed Ites, I have met or heard of many people involved in reggae as musicians, writers, promoters whatever who don't take herb at all, or have stopped.

I am not a Rastafarian and I personally don't believe that herb is a holy sacrament. In fact, if I followed my own faith to the letter I wouldn't even be drinking tea or coffee.

It is a herbal medicine and it has a place in any herbalist's cabinet, yes, but a holy plant? Sorry, I don't believe it to be so.

Nor do I believe that it is necessary to smoke herb to be creative. I write and if I smoke I don't write any better, in fact, my writing tends to need much more editing if I smoke. Yes, sometimes ideas came to me after smoking herb, but I am actually unlikely to actually act upon the idea if I am stoned. In contrast, if I keep off the herb, I am much more dynamic and motivated.

That said, I do enjoy to smoke when selecting or just out at the dance. And I love to smoke on a beach or in the countryside when I need to escape the pressure of modern life. But nowadays, I try to keep it rare as I have become aware of a negative effect upon me from smoking too much.

Interestingly, in ancient herbal lore, Marijuana is considered to be under the influence of the planet Saturn (all herbs have astrological connections!) and this planet is responsible for delay and missed opportunity!

We are getting way off thread here!

[Ites]

yes, Leggo, it looks more like an off-topic thread, sorry for beginning the discussion by hijacking the byles thread

pica, i see what you mean, but i am not sure you can define 'judging' by one thing

personally i would consider it judging if i point the finger at that, arguing 'how' it should be, but that's not the case here

i said they're free to do it even if i don't agree with the smoking aspect. to me that's not exactly judging, but maybe we have to agree to disagree. its a sacrament for certain rastas, not all. not all rastas believe in smoking, as some of them don't believe in eating meat (chicken), fish and so on, while others do

ja music was and is just as much a music isolated from smoking as linked to it. i mean, i could never deny the fact that herb smoking has been a part of it, but what about those, musicians, fans, whatever, who don't believe in it, don't participate in it, that seldom get any space
there is two sides of the coin, i just don't appreciate when 'the other part' get sort of neglected

regardless, its an interesting topic

[Rema & Jungle]

Lest get back to Byles..............

Does anyone know of his current health and whereabouts.

I just assume he is still in the ghetto.....

[leggo rocker]

Perhaps we should start a herb thread?

[Rema & Jungle]

Yes ........ this is a thread concerned about the great man

[bullit]

Hope hes doing as well as any man in his situation can

[Nefta]

"the collie weed,...talking 'bout the collie weed" Junior tell me to post this on his thread

[Nefta]

"bow down, bow down"


just bump for the trip