7. Altered states of consciousness
Consciousness: A Very Short Introduction September 14, 2017 DOI: 10.1093/actrade/9780198794738.003.0007
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAltered states of consciousness (ASCs) include sleep, dreaming, hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, meditation, and states induced by psychoactive drugs. Psychologist Charles Tart defines an ASC as a qualitative alteration in the overall pattern of mental functioning that feels radically different from ordinary consciousness, though this definition raises questions about what constitutes a 'normal' state. In mystical experiences and long-term meditation, people report seeing through the illusions of duality and perceiving the world as it truly is.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 18 |
| Key finding | Altered states of consciousness encompass a range of experiences, and in mystical experiences and long-term meditation, people describe seeing through the illusions of duality and seeing the world as it truly is. |
Abstract
‘Altered states of consciousness’ discusses the states of consciousness during sleep, dreaming, hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, meditation, and after taking psychoactive drugs. Psychologist Charles Tart defines an altered state of consciousness (ASC) as ‘a qualitative alteration in the overall pattern of mental functioning, such that the experiencer feels his consciousness is radically different from the way it functions ordinarily’. This certainly captures the idea of ASCs, but also creates problems, such as knowing what a ‘normal’ state is. In both mystical experiences and long-term meditation, people describe seeing through the illusions of duality and seeing the world as it truly is.