Research on states of consciousness has aroused increasing interest in some science disciplines such as psychology, cognitive sciences, psychiatry, psychoneuroimmunology and even physics. And because of that is also growing the interest in non-ordinary states of consciousness.
Essentially, there are three states of consciousness: the waking state of consciousness, which is when we are awake and can perform some practical task, such as reading, writing or cooking; the state of sleep, which is a deeper state of consciousness, but still without dreams, where we are much more relaxed, there is no mental or bodily activity and the stimuli from the external environment captured by our senses are not present, but so are the stimuli coming from within, such as emotions, thoughts or mental images also do not reach our consciousness. Here there is no perception and attention. The third state is the dream state or REM state – Rapid Eye Movement is characterized by a spontaneous activity of the brain that produces dream images that wander through consciousness, sometimes leaving light impressions in the memory when we wake up. Here the attention is focused on these dream images.
In addition to these three states, there are other states that are non-ordinary states of consciousness, or what Grof called holotropic states of consciousness.
One of the most important authors in this area of research on non-ordinary states of consciousness is Charles Tart, known mainly for his pioneering works on these states and on out-of-body experiences. In addition, this author is also linked to the beginnings of transpersonal psychology. For Tart, an altered state of consciousness is a mental state induced by physiological, psychological or pharmacological factors, which can be subjectively recognized by the person and which represents a different way of normal functioning of the individual’s mind, verifying a greater focus on sensations. and mental processes, changes in thinking and a gradual deterioration in the ability to recognize ordinary reality.
Several other authors have explored these states, such as Stanley Kryppner, who comes to classify 20 different states of consciousness. Mircea Eliade who talks about ecstasy techniques, Carlos Castañeda who talks about the state of Nagual. Stan Grof who speaks of holotropic states of consciousness, which we can associate with states known in eastern traditions such as nirvana, samadhi, gamma, trance, satori, cosmic consciousness, superconsciousness, etc., all of which are names for the same manifestation.
It is through these states that we get the connection with our myths, symbols, with our inner truth. We manage to expand the perception to mysteries that are kept within ourselves and that through ordinary consciousness we cannot reach. We reconnect with the sacred and with the creative source of everything that happens to us. We access perinatal and transpersonal memories. There are several techniques or rituals to reach deeper states of consciousness, among them: drums, dances, fasting, breathing, body postures, sacred plants such as ayahuasca, peyote, huachuma or San Pedro, salvia divinorum, psychedelic medicines such as psilocybin, LSD-25, DMT, and many others that act as catalysts for altering our consciousness in a non-toxic and therapeutic way.
