The Alcohol Demon

The physical damage caused by alcohol abuse is common knowledge. The long-term effects of alcohol consumption on the liver, pancreas, kidneys, heart, esophagus, and the lining of the stomach can be devastating. And those of us who have shared our lives with alcoholics, know of the damage it can do to relationships, children, families and careers.

But how often do we consider the spiritual implications of alcohol abuse? What really happens to the soul or spirit when we consume alcohol?

Some alcohol-related statistics are quite alarming. For example, it is said that some 700,000 people are in treatment for alcohol abuse every day. And did you know that about 40% of all auto accidents are alcohol-related? It is also estimated that 18 million Americans deal with alcohol-related health problems, and there are an estimated 10 million alcoholics just in this country.

Doing some research, I found an article in the The Costa Rica News titled, The Spiritual Consequences of Alcohol Consumption. The article explains that the English word alcohol originates from the Arabic al-kuhl, which means “body eating spirit.” It is also the origin for the English word ghoul. According to Middle Eastern folklore, a ghoul is an evil demon believed to eat human bodies.

In his book, The Mystery of the Golden Flower, the Gnostic author, Samael Aun Weor writes that alcohol “is in fact a demon or a malefic spirit when it possesses a human being; it is clear and easily demonstrable in its effects from drunkenness, to delirium tremors and madness with forms of paralysis and other hereditary defects passed down through descendants.”

First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

It is said that when we become intoxicated, the spirit or soul leaves the body, while remaining attached to a type of tether or cord. The soul basically evacuates the body in this way, because the conditions within become too uncomfortable. This exposes the intoxicated person to dark entities or lower level spirits to enter and possess their body… and take it for a ‘ride around the block,’ so to speak. It therefore comes as no surprise that alcohol is also known as ‘spirits.’ It is said the Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that drinking a distilled beer or wine put ‘spirits’ into the body of the drinker.

An intoxicated body is therefore like a proverbial ‘abandoned temple’ – it can become a haven for unwanted spirits. If one leaves, another can take its place. This also explains why people who become severely intoxicated tend to ‘black out.’ Once they regain their sober consciousness, they are unable to remember their outrageous and out-of-character behavior.

The religious guide, priest, mystic, or prophet who makes the mistake of getting drunk with abominable alcohol is truly wretched! ~ Samael Aun Weor

I can’t help but consider what our ancestors knew that we don’t seem to realize when considering that al-kuhl is actually “body eating spirit.” In a society, that seems to be intent on laws to control its citizens, one may wonder why alcohol is not only promoted, but also socially accepted, and even expected in some social settings.

Is it because the majority of the people do not know about the real effects of alcohol? Or, is it because they don’t care? Or, is it that we have created a world that we feel the need to escape from at any cost? I do feel that it is something we as a society should take another look at, especially those of us on a path of spiritual growth and higher consciousness.