The Higher Thought game is not necessarily buoyant. It really depends where the conversation goes and – to a large extent – what cards you draw.

I once tried to sell the game to a local dispensary. The manager seemed interested, but to test the game, she loaned a sample copy to her 20-something staff. They took it home, tried it, and didn’t like it. They found it too heavy. They were expecting something easy and goofy, like a drinking game. Instead they drew questions like, “If you knew you were going to die within days, what music would you listen to?” and “What’s wrong with gossip?” and “In what ways do you fail to honor yourself?”

My initial reaction to this news was that someone must have stacked the deck maliciously. We do have so many BRIGHT ENERGETIC questions!

But then again, those were the questions that arose for that group, and if you believe in karma – as I do – there are no mistakes.

I hosted a game online last Friday evening. I made the mistake, beforehand, of eating cannabis-infused chocolate, taking a lengthy hike, and then not leaving myself enough time to eat. My blood sugar was crashing right about when I opened the Zoom room.

Fortunately, not much facilitation (or budtending, as we like to call it) was required (though I did need to set a limit when one guy proposed he should sing for the rest of us, apropos of nothing in particular). There were eight of us and everyone was engaged (well, maybe except for the one guy), and the conversation moved on its own. Two of the questions we explored at length were:

Is an ego a good thing to have? 

and

Are an open heart and an open mind related? If so, how?

Both of which took us down some interesting byways and occasionally into dark corners.  Meanwhile, I started to feel nearly faint with hunger and I grabbed a few mouthfuls of soup so I could stay present.

I was grateful and a little astonished that I seemed to be the only one who was really tired after an hour and a half. Because it does take mental and emotional energy to play the game.

But the rewards are palpable. A sense of satisfaction and surfeit, like after a good, substantial meal. Like vitamins for the brain. It feels invigorating to laterally think like this in the company of others. And a sense of connection blossoms that is intimate and genuine.

Our questions are weird. That’s our unique selling proposition. There are other connective question games out there but we’re pretty sure ours is the most imaginative.

So this is a frank, flat-out sales pitch. If you don’t own a game yet, buy one! We do have a money-back guarantee, you know, if you don’t like it. We don’t think you’ll send it back though. Just try it. You’ll see. We guarantee HT – it’s tasty and good for you.

–Marc

P.S. Susan recommends that if you’re winding down and just drawing one final question, pick an orange card.