---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Entheogens are not to be lightly trifled…"
description: "\"Entheogens are not to be lightly trifled with... However, if taken with the right attitude and in the proper setting, psychoactive drugs may produce re..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/huston-smith-2415_attitude_entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled_3228631.png"
---

#  Entheogens are not to be lightly trifled with... However…

![“Entheogens are not to be lightly trifled with... However, if taken with the right attitude and in the proper setting, psychoactive drugs may produce religious experiences. ...it is far less clear that they can produce religious lives.” quote by Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/huston-smith-2415_attitude_entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled_3228631.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/huston-smith-2415_attitude_entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled_3228631.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/huston-smith-2415_attitude_entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled_3228631.png)

> “Entheogens are not to be lightly trifled with... However, if taken with the right attitude and in the proper setting, psychoactive drugs may produce religious experiences. ...it is far less clear that they can produce religious lives.”

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Psychedelic use can induce profound spiritual experiences, but does not guarantee lasting religious commitment.

**In simple terms:** Drugs may spark spiritual moments.

Key Takeaway

Seek meaning beyond substances.

Themes

spirituality psychedelics religion

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

- therapy
- ritual practice
- personal growth

Key Concepts

consciousness ritual psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What role should altered states play in spiritual practice?
- How can we integrate insights responsibly?

A Different Perspective

Risk of dependence or misinterpretation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Drug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug/) [Psychoactive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychoactive/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-experience/) [Religious life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-life/) [Setting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting/)

## Related quotes

> [Now it is one thing to say I say it that people shouldn't consume psychoactive drugs. It is entirely something else to condone marijuana…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr/now-it-is-one-thing-to-say-i-say-it-that-people-shouldn-t-consume/)

[William F. Buckley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr/)

> [Drugs don't have spiritual potential, human beings have spiritual potential. And it may be that we need techniques to move us in that direction,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/drugs-don-t-have-spiritual-potential-human-beings-have-spiritual/)

[Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/)

> [ The use of psychoactive drugs - including both antidepressants and antipsychotics - has exploded...\[yet\] 'the tally of those who are disabled...increased nearly two and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcia-angell/the-use-of-psychoactive-drugs-including-both-antidepressants-and/)

[Marcia Angell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcia-angell/)

> [A religion made up solely of heightened religious experiences would not be a religion at all. ...The major religious traditions address the mysteries (with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/a-religion-made-up-solely-of-heightened-religious-experiences-would/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [“the kids who can’t adapt to school’s tedium are diagnosed with ADHD and are put on powerful psychoactive drugs, which have the immediate effect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-o-gray/the-kids-who-can-t-adapt-to-school-s-tedium-are-diagnosed-with-adhd/)

[Peter O. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-o-gray/)

> [Techniques such as genetic engineering, psychoactive drugs and electronic control of the brain make possible a transformation of the species into docile, fully-obedient, 'safe'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sims/techniques-such-as-genetic-engineering-psychoactive-drugs-and/)

William Sims

> [The drug ketamine, used as a 'dissociative' anesthetic, can produce subjective reports of conscious awareness outside the body, as can various other psychoactive drugs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-hameroff/the-drug-ketamine-used-as-a-dissociative-anesthetic-can-produce/)

Stuart Hameroff

> [What about self-awareness, the mysterious ability of the brain to reflect upon itself? Self-awareness can be tampered with by brainwashing, psychoactive drugs, electrical stimulation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chet-raymo/what-about-self-awareness-the-mysterious-ability-of-the-brain-to/)

[Chet Raymo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chet-raymo/)

> [At the center of the religious life is a peculiar kind of joy, the prospect of a happy ending that blossoms from necessarily painful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/at-the-center-of-the-religious-life-is-a-peculiar-kind-of-joy-the/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [I know of no culture in the world at present or any time in the past that has not been heavily involved with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/i-know-of-no-culture-in-the-world-at-present-or-any-time-in-the-past/)

[Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/)

> [Another very common use, in all cultures, of psychoactive substances is to give people transcendent experiences. To allow them to transcend their human and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/another-very-common-use-in-all-cultures-of-psychoactive-substances-is/)

[Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/)

> [“If God wanted us to get high, he'd have created plants that became psychoactive when eaten or smoked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/if-god-wanted-us-to-get-high-he-d-have-created-plants-that-became/)

[Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/)

> [“The movie Koyaanisqatsi shows non-commented time-lapse footage and focuses our attention on the very rhythm of our civilized modern life and nature. A marijuana…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-marincolo/the-movie-koyaanisqatsi-shows-non-commented-time-lapse-footage-and/)

[Sebastian Marincolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-marincolo/)

> [“The legalization of marijuana is not a dangerous experiment – the prohibition is the experiment, and it has failed dramatically, with millions of victims…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-marincolo/the-legalization-of-marijuana-is-not-a-dangerous-experiment-the/)

[Sebastian Marincolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-marincolo/)

> [Marijuana is not not harmful, but is the least harmful psychoactive substance that we have, with the possible exception of caffeine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maia-szalavitz/marijuana-is-not-not-harmful-but-is-the-least-harmful-psychoactive/)

[Maia Szalavitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maia-szalavitz/)

## More by Huston Smith

> [“The Transcendent was my morning meal, we had the Eternal at lunch, and I ate a slice of the Infinite at dinner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-transcendent-was-my-morning-meal-we-had-the-eternal-at-lunch-and/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [The first koan do not have rational answers. They are techniques devised over the millennia for triggering an actual experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-first-koan-do-not-have-rational-answers-they-are-techniques/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [We all carry it within us: supreme strength, the fullness of wisdom, unquenchable joy. It is never thwarted, and cannot be destroyed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/we-all-carry-it-within-us-supreme-strength-the-fullness-of-wisdom/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [A nation can assume that the addition of the words "under God" to its pledge of allegiance gives evidence that its citizens actually believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/a-nation-can-assume-that-the-addition-of-the-words-under-god-to-its/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [“Some friends accused me of whoring after the Infinite. Well, what better whoredom is there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/some-friends-accused-me-of-whoring-after-the-infinite-well-what/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [Imagine a man besottedly in love: he won't waste time speculating whether other women equally merit his affection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/imagine-a-man-besottedly-in-love-he-won-t-waste-time-speculating/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [“If my opinion that substance requires a true unity were founded only on a definition I had formulated in opposition to common usage, \*then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/if-my-opinion-that-substance-requires-a-true-unity-were-founded-only/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [The New Age movement looks like a mixed bag. I see much in it that seems good: It's optimistic; it's enthusiastic; it has the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-new-age-movement-looks-like-a-mixed-bag-i-see-much-in-it-that/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [Science can prove nothing about God, because God lies outside its province.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/science-can-prove-nothing-about-god-because-god-lies-outside-its/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [I had assumed that Bush's seemingly inflexible policy to support Sharon was for political reasons of his getting elected. But as to whether he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/i-had-assumed-that-bush-s-seemingly-inflexible-policy-to-support/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [The Buddha is in me, the Buddha is in you. Live up to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-buddha-is-in-me-the-buddha-is-in-you-live-up-to-it/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [“How many planes there are, we do not know. The levels of nature that science discriminates give us no clue, for these all pertain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/how-many-planes-there-are-we-do-not-know-the-levels-of-nature-that/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [So always, if we look back, concern for face-to-face morality, and its modern emphasis on justice as well, have historically evolved as religious issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/so-always-if-we-look-back-concern-for-face-to-face-morality-and-its/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [All -isms end up in schisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/all-isms-end-up-in-schisms/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

> [Most of the book deals with things we already know yet never learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/most-of-the-book-deals-with-things-we-already-know-yet-never-learn/)

[Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

[Explore all 167 Huston Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/)

## More Attitude quotes

> [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/)

[MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/)

> [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/)

[Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/)

> [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/)

[Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/)

> [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/)

[Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/)

> [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/)

[William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/)

> [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/)

Isaiah Harden (Me

> [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/)

Sheye Hassan

> [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/)

[Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/)

> [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/)

[Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/)

> [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/)

[Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/)

> [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/)

[Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/)

> [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/)

[Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/)

[Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Entheogens are not to be lightly trifled with... However, if taken with the right attitude and in the proper setting, psychoactive drugs may produce religious experiences. ...it is far less clear that they can produce religious lives.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Huston Smith"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled-with-however-if-taken-with/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Attitude"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled-with-however-if-taken-with/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/huston-smith-2415_attitude_entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled_3228631.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/huston-smith-2415_attitude_entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled_3228631.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/huston-smith-2415_attitude_entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled_3228631.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Entheogens are not to be lightly trifled with... However, if taken with the right attitude and in the proper…” — Huston Smith",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Huston Smith",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Entheogens are not to be lightly...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled-with-however-if-taken-with/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/entheogens-are-not-to-be-lightly-trifled-with-however-if-taken-with/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
