Altered consciousness is a many splendored thing
Författare
Summary, in English
Abstract in Undetermined
Contrary to the notion that altering our ordinary state of consciousness necessarily produces delusional beliefs and is generally deleterious, various findings in psychology and other disciplines suggest that 1) the ordinary state of consciousness does not provide an accurate mapping of reality and 2) alterations of consciousness can have various positive functions. Among the most important ones are to: a) mildly alter our consciousness to be more effective at our tasks, b) obtain greater pleasure than we can achieve ordinarily, 3) explore nonfactual possibilities that may be actualized through creative ways, 4) enhance the sense of meaningfulness in life and enhance psychological and medical healing, and 5) obtain valid knowledge to comprehend better ourselves and perhaps the universe at large.
Contrary to the notion that altering our ordinary state of consciousness necessarily produces delusional beliefs and is generally deleterious, various findings in psychology and other disciplines suggest that 1) the ordinary state of consciousness does not provide an accurate mapping of reality and 2) alterations of consciousness can have various positive functions. Among the most important ones are to: a) mildly alter our consciousness to be more effective at our tasks, b) obtain greater pleasure than we can achieve ordinarily, 3) explore nonfactual possibilities that may be actualized through creative ways, 4) enhance the sense of meaningfulness in life and enhance psychological and medical healing, and 5) obtain valid knowledge to comprehend better ourselves and perhaps the universe at large.
Avdelning/ar
Publiceringsår
2011
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
4781-4791
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Journal of Cosmology
Volym
14
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Cosmology Science Publishers
Ämne
- Psychology
Nyckelord
- Consciousness
- altered states of consciousness
Status
Published
Forskningsgrupp
- CERCAP (Center for Research on Consciousness and Anomalous Psychology)
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 2159-063X