“Throughout the first 1,800 years of Church history, Christians generally consumed alcoholic beverages as a common part of everyday life and used “the fruit of the vine” in their central rite—the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper. They held that both the Bible and Christian tradition taught that alcohol is a gift from God that makes life more joyous, but that over-indulgence leading to drunkenness is sinful or at least a vice.” - Wikipedia
yes, i find over time that the use of intoxicants has fallen off of its own accord. Alcohol, tabak and pot just seemed to outlive their “usefulness” and without any fanfare just disappeared from the menu. An occasional bio wine with dinner. But alcohol consumption for the sake of consumption (self-medication) is not on the radar.
You say “In your practice.” Can I ask what that practice would be?
maybe the answer is hidden in this:
Cat Stevens “Buddha and the Chocolate box”
Comment by Phil Berger (YouTube)
“Buddha and the Chocolate Box is a 1974 album by Cat Stevens. The title came to Stevens when he was travelling to a gig on a plane with a Buddha in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other. He pondered that if he were to die in the plane these would be the last objects with him, and he would be caught between the spiritual and the material. The album leans towards the spiritual path, and is an indication of the direction his life would follow.”
True. I know in Europe one practice is, especially prior to having year-round access to fresh produce, to put excess fruit (in the late summer/autumn) in containers with alcohol in the basement or lager; then draw on that during the rest of the year, especially winter, as a food source.
(On the other hand, in Norway, maybe also Sweden, there’s a societal problem with alcoholism – maybe such food stores, and/or general depression in long and cold winters.)
It’s also a Chinese practice to preserve plant products in alcohol, particularly herbal medical type substances. Possibly similar to the European practice of medicinal liquers.
Indeed.
Apropos, one aspect of the OP here was to ferret out information as to possibly similar, or different practices in Indian cultures. For instance in the Buddha’s time.
1 Like
This question is in reference to the use of the word “practical”?
It wasn’t meant in any sense like bhavana-type practice, but rather aspects like it’s more economical to forego alcoholic drinks with meals; particularly when eating-out. Here in obscenely wealthy “Silicon Valley” (where, e.g., run-of-the-mill single-family houses go for $1-3 millions USD) eating-out, especially with such drinks, tends to be quite pricey.