Cannabis Quote by Norman Mailer
“One's condition on marijuana is always existential. One can feel the importance of each moment and how it is changing one. One feels one's being, one becomes aware of the enormous apparatus of nothingness - the hum of a hi-fi set, the emptiness of a pointless interruption, one becomes aware of the war between each of us, how the nothingness in each of us seeks to attack the being of others, how our being in turn is attacked by the nothingness in others.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The White Negro, 1957
The quote describes how marijuana heightens awareness of existence, making each moment feel profound and exposing an inner void that interacts with others' emptiness.
In simple terms: Marijuana makes you feel deeply aware of existence and emptiness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how altered states can reveal inner and relational voids.
Themes
existence
awareness
void
interpersonal conflict
substance experience
Mood
introspective
philosophical
critical
Type
observational
reflective
analytical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- psychotherapy sessions
- philosophical discussions
Key Concepts
phenomenology
ontological anxiety
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How does heightened awareness affect your relationships?
- Can this perception be achieved without substances?
A Different Perspective
The insight may romanticize drug use and overlook health risks.
![“As an artist, there's a sweet, jump-starting quality to [marijuana] for me. I've often felt telepathic and receptive to inexplicable messages my whole life. I can stave those off when I'm not high. When I'm high - well, they come in and there's less of a veil, so to speak. So if ever I need some…” quote by Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea1/alanis-morissette-1074_answers_as-an-artist-there-s-a-sweet-jump-starti_3050899.jpg)
