Thanks everyone for your wonderful insights.

I would like to share my learnings and experience on this topic. Until a few years ago, I was under the impression that we need to abstain from certain things to achieve contentment, peace and even self realisation as we need to be able to calm our mind and the thoughts to become more self aware. I felt that it was difficult for me to abstain and if I was to do such an act, I would be doing it out of fear or lack of sincerity in my action.

Thanks to my teacher and his wisdom (not relating to any religion per say), I then learnt that we do not need to abstain from anything. We are human beings who have needs and desires and until we fulfil these desires, we wont be able to progress on the path of self-realisation. Yes, it is one thing to be mindful and self aware about the effects of various intoxicants on our mind, body and soul and to keep it in moderation but it is another thing to abstain totally.

He said that as we progress on the spiritual path by practicing meditation, purity of intention and selfless service, sooner or later, these intoxicants will themselves leave us. We dont have to leave anything and any path, which tells us to leave something (or avoid something) to achieve self-realisation is probably not going to work. As the purity and light in us increases, we will automatically be attracted to things, which nourish our mind, body and soul. It didnt make sense initially but after 2 years or so of practising above, results are becoming more evident. The desires are lessening and impulses are definitely less and the need to follow social norms regarding intoxications do not matter as much. So far so good.

Does this make sense ?

Jasmine