I have just finished a month of abstinence from alcohol. Eventhough I only drink during weekends, I think it’s good to now and then refrain from any mind-altering substance for a while. First of because it’s damaging to the body and secondly because it affects the mind as well. During my month of abstinence I have given a lot of thought about this. I remembered my time when I was straightedge for 6 years. Straightedge is a movement originated in the hardcore punk movement during the 80’s and comprises refraining from alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs. To me this was always a way to keep my mind clear so that I could focus on my own path and grow as an entity, thus a very positive thing. This was until I actually became involved into the straightedge scene because I was in a hardcore punkband. I was struck by the fact that many straightedge youngsters there who were straightedge were basically just assholes, always complaining about people and matters instead of taking positive action. Although they did not take any intoxicating substances, I believe that still their minds were intoxicated with negativity. Not surprisingly, many straightedge kids, upon giving up on straightedge, made a 180 degree turn and even started using harddrugs. I believe that during periods of abstinence, if you do not work with your mind, it’s not really worth it. Because when we give up on such things, our neuroses are enlarged and if we don’t work with them, they can come out disguised through sublimation (preaching, converting, violent activism etc.). So during this month i did not only try to cleanse my body, I also really tried to cleanse my mind, by contemplating and observing it. I always encourage abstinence, but if we don’t work with our minds simultaneously, it does not work.
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