Hi Tom,
And addiction doesn't give a crap about ones opinions. Philosophy, morals, "beliefs" et al are simply assertions of the ego. They don't exist when we're asleep :-) These an old Tahitian legend about a fisherman that stands on a whale (and he doesn't realize it) to fish for minnows. heh-heh

But...
>I know we cannot help all the homeless or those with a drug problem...

I just wonder why you'd say this.

>...but at least I can pray for them.

How is this the 'least'? Compared to what?

>I lost too many friends and “doing drugs” is not something I take lightly.

Fair enough. And sorry. While I "believe" that we are chemical creatures, there's a humbling set of questions to deal with at the anthropological level. We think we run our own shows. B.S. We are just along for the ride. However, short of the health risks, Tom, I don't think you're hearing around the edges of what Mike is talking about. His topic is a 900 pound gorilla. Could've been a 900 Wildebeast instead. But I digress. I'm hearing things about libidinal and creative energy, and negotiating boundaries and balance between the individual self and the corporal self. To argue an an either/or choice upon him is no real choice at all and only results in a single coin: Heads(narcissism) or Tail(repression).

I'm in a hurry so this may not make a lot of sense: Look up 'Vivica' or the Neitche model of development in which one is Born as a...

1. Camel = "Put a load on me" of cultural teachings. Then either remain fully domesticated (inauthentic) or runs out into the world and becomes...

2. Lion = The larger the load was, the more fierce the lion will be. Must fight/slay a dragon (ego) named "Thou Shalt < fill in the blank >". If this if not accomplished, one becomes a rebel "just because". If accomplished becomes...

3. Magical Child = has integrated the camel's load and the lion's ferocity. Now like a wheel rolling out of it's own center. Authentic. Not polarized, but rather has polarity. East/West polarization (either/or) are never resolved but North/South polarity (both/and) are creative and transformative.

This is what I think is at the core of Mike's stuff. Maybe not. Mike?