Sacred myths

The use of cocaine by humans dates back to prehistoric times. The Incas of the Andes regions of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru developed the practice of chewing the coca leaf more than 3,000 years ago. Archeological sites in Peru that date back to 1300 B.C. contain mummified bodies with shell vessels for coca and the powdered lime used even today to enhance absorption of cocaine from the leaf (Streatfeild, 2001). Coca was a sacred drug to the Incas. Mama Coca" was viewed as possessing a goddess-like essence. One myth had it that coca had been a beautiful woman who was executed for adultery. From her remains the divine coca plant grew, to be consumed only by royalty in her memory (Petersen, 1977). 

Basil revealed little about the content of the courses the orphans and other children pursued at his school. He did specify, however, that their grammar lessons should use names and places drawn from the Sacred Scriptures and that they should study the marvelous deeds of the Bible, not those of the ancient Greek myths. He added that the students should especially study the maxims in the Book of Proverbs. As a stimulus to learning, Basil also recommended that the teachers institute contests for the students to test their memory regarding names and events. He beheved that children loved such competitions and that they would study with greater diligence if they were also enjoying themselves. ... 

Pronoia s speech crystallizes and condenses a fundamental myth of spiritual origins into liturgical form. If we consider sacred texts such as the Apjn in a liturgical setting—as I believe we must—we may understand them in a new way. As the listeners of the Apjn heard these words read to them as they stood preparing for baptism, they saw themselves as new Adams, called forth like him to arise and remember. ... 

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