Matthew,
"If you read my posts carefully you'll see that I never connected following the path of love (PUL) exclusively with obligatory service to others." 

I read the post I commented on carefully, and those were my thoughts.

"I don't begrudge you your cheese, nor would I begrudge myself chocolate ice cream, or anyone's self indulgence.  But if you look at what many different cultures say about love, and spirituality, the issue of an "active" love does come up.  Action is almost always the result of thought."

Well, I put the cheese in for comic relief. Although interesting to hear about different cultures, how they think, what they do, it's not a red thread for me.

"Any volunteer work that I do, or any inclination I have to help others is personal - I do not write about it on the board, nor seek fame or notoriety.  My true contention is that as we move toward love, our own personal desire for service to others increases unbidden. Obligatory service to me, or service to get your name spoken of (or a plaque, etc.) is odious to me, and completely fake."

Whatever work you do and the inclination is personal indeed.

"On the other hand, we are our thoughts, and our actions flow from thought.  When does an astral explorer seek to continue exploring a mental plane, or stop out and help another who seems lost?"

Helping out is a valid choice. For me. Did I mention ME? Yes. Me, myself, and I. Comic relief again. I (hey, nice going there, lovely you, no, I mean me) want to make the point that I don't claim to know what's best for ALL. Knowing that incarnations have higher aspects with constant attention provided makes the moving on a valid choice too. I at least have experienced being lost, and then find a way. Helped, inspired and moved by generous, amazing and awesomely lovely spirits too.

"When does our conscious intention open up to service to others, and how do we integrate this into a personal spiritual search?"

The word individual seems to be frowned upon in light circles, as it lacks direction for a group, but that's a word I like. Even standing in front of a group of co-workers showing them how to use a computer program, I don't like being the one they look to for answers. Discussions can be fun though, since there are so many views to examine. And thought processes are stimulated. So. Short version is, I don't know for a group. What I do know is that service to sounds like being a butler.

Matthew,
"Consider for example, the title of this thread "Psycedelics: Portals to true spiritual experience." Hmmmm...sound like a generalized statement for us all, no?  Yet Volu, or Matthew may not like that there is an implication that we should all take psychedelics in order to progress and grow."

I read that as his thoughts on the subject; doesn't say our portals, or that we must be psyched to have true spiritual experience. Provocative? I can see that, and loving it. Edgy? He stands next to a mountain, and chops it down with the edge of his hand.

This reminds me of a phrase my mother uses containing the words, our lord. "Nope, the repetition doesn't help, still your lord". Doesn't say our lord in the topic though.

"So ease up. I accept that you, Volu want to be, revel, and do whatever without feeling as if you must be compelled to help others." 

Yes, goat cheese makes me begrudged. Growl. Unrestrained merrymaking does sound nice, but no acceptance needed for that. I'm here for exploring different thought processes.

"[...] and personal experiences (which I know you value more than the sources themselves), which suggest that when we become more loving, we seem to help others more without being forced to - more that it is a natural occurrence, that is unforced."

Unforced love. I do like the sound of that. The gag ball plopping out of love's mouth. If there ever was an overused and abused word, love has had it's fair share of taking it for the team. Brittle makeup. Smudged lipstick. Always giving when asked to perform.

"If service sounds like being a butler, perhaps I can find a better word, that doesn't sound like slaving away.  Perhaps it would simply be "helping," -  helping each other."

But that kind of makes STS sound dull and nonthreatening though. Helping yourself. May eventually lead to bridging the gap between the extremes. No more cat and mouse games.

I can completely understand your reaction. Honestly MOST people will probably react the way you did. I'm only a little better off, I don't hate it but it doesn't really do much to me except hallucinate and help me lose my mind for a little while. All this drug talking is going to make me start dexing again so help me God. It's better if I stay away from this topic to be honest.

Be sure to post your experience!