Many people often wonder what truly is in ecstasy. As I stated earlier, in its pure form, ecstasy is known as MDMA, or methyldioxymethamphetamine. This is what buyers hope to get when purchasing a roll of "e". However, because of costs and the high demand for this drug, many dealers find it economically feasible and beneficial to mix in other drugs with MDMA. Thus, other drugs and substances can be found in any given ecstasy pill. The most common drugs found in ecstasy are MDEA and MDA. These are similar to MDMA, but have different effects on the user. MDEA lasts a shorter time, while MDA lasts longer, and h

But is it a good way to learn? "It is like a medicine, a wonderful tool for teaching. For example, I had a very keen student who never succeeded in meditation until Ecstasy removed the block caused by his own effort when trying to meditate. That one experience helped him to make fast progress, and he has since been ordained a monk."

There are different reasons that people decide to use ecstasy. The most common type of use is recreational. As stated before, it is extremely popular on the nightclub scene. People of all ages tend to tend to experiment with ecstasy. Another reason people turn to "e", is for medical reasons. One man claims that he kicked his addiction to cocaine by using ecstasy. He says that, "Now after years of doing coke and thinking I couldn't quit, I had lost my desire for it 100% in one day.....MDMA saved my life, that simple!"(ecstasy.org, "Cocaine to Ecstasy"), after an experience with "e". Another man says that he uses "E to restrict the pain [he] suffer[s] down [the] left side [of his body] due to disk trouble. [He] has found that just one tab can ease the pain [he] suffers significantly for close on 7 days. It works a lot better than [his] prescribed pills anyway."(ecstasy.org, "Ecstasy(MDMA) Dependence") One woman claims that ecstasy has cured her migraines, and a 26-year-!

Some people use Ecstasy for religious rituals. A group of eight graduating seniors from Harvard Divinity School held a non-sectarian ritual earlier this year using Ecstasy which they called 'The Harvard Agape'.

"A 25 year old male electrician (C) with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), characterised by feelings of emotional detachment, took MDMA for the first time and suddenly felt connected with other people again. His use rapidly escalated over several months, use levels being limited by financial considerations. After 2 years he was taking 25 -30 tablets every weekend. His mother confirmed all aspects of the history, and stated that he had sold everything he owned so that he could buy MDMA, alcohol, and 'go clubbing'. He sold his television, video and clothes. He would go without sleep for days at a time, and would not eat. She said: 'He was a completely changed person...he sold everything. He would walk out of here with a L90 shirt on and would come home the next day with some-one's old T-shirt on...' A tested tablet contained MDMA. He also had a very substantial alcohol intake (one bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey almost every night) but did not use other drugs apart from 20 c!

As I was interviewing the monks I could not help but be impressed how different was their experience of Ecstasy to my own, even though I had gone out of my way to try to explore every aspect of the drug. They were so focused towards the divine as to appear slightly naive, and indeed the Benedictine simply could not comprehend the mood experienced by party goers on Ecstasy. He could only see it as sacrilegious. My interviews confirmed a quality of Ecstasy that is seldom acknowledged: it enables the user to have deeper and more wholehearted experiences, but the type of experience depends on their underlying concerns. As one who has experienced sensuous delights, exhilaration, insights into relationships and glimpsed my deep-seated neurosis under the influence of the drug - but never mystical enlightenment - these men's accounts were testimony to their single minded devotion - and my own lack of it."(ecstasy.org, "The Agony and Ecstasy of God's path")

Most religious leaders are strongly opposed to the use of drugs, preaching that they can be misleading or damage the psyche, destroying the benefits of years of meditation or prayer. However, besides the Benedictine I also interviewed a rabbi and two monks from different Zen disciplines who believe that Ecstasy is a valid tool for teaching and mystical experience. All four have written religious works, three teach their religion and two are abbots, but none has revealed their use of Ecsta

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Approximate Pages = 15 (250 words per page double spaced)