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| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Altered States of Consciousness Charles T. Tart, 1969 |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Altered States of Consciousness Marc Wittmann, 2023-11-07 What altered states of consciousness—the dissolution of feelings of time and self—can tell us about the mystery of consciousness. During extraordinary moments of consciousness—shock, meditative states and sudden mystical revelations, out-of-body experiences, or drug intoxication—our senses of time and self are altered; we may even feel time and self dissolving. These experiences have long been ignored by mainstream science, or considered crazy fantasies. Recent research, however, has located the neural underpinnings of these altered states of mind. In this book, neuropsychologist Marc Wittmann shows how experiences that disturb or widen our everyday understanding of the self can help solve the mystery of consciousness. Wittmann explains that the relationship between consciousness of time and consciousness of self is close; in extreme circumstances, the experiences of space and self intensify and weaken together. He considers the emergence of the self in waking life and dreams; how our sense of time is distorted by extreme situations ranging from terror to mystical enlightenment; the experience of the moment; and the loss of time and self in such disorders as depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Dostoyevsky reported godly bliss during epileptic seizures; neurologists are now investigating the phenomenon of the epileptic aura. Wittmann describes new studies of psychedelics that show how the brain builds consciousness of self and time, and discusses pilot programs that use hallucinogens to treat severe depression, anxiety, and addiction. If we want to understand our consciousness, our subjectivity, Wittmann argues, we must not be afraid to break new ground. Studying altered states of consciousness leads us directly to the heart of the matter: time and self, the foundations of consciousness. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Music and Altered States David Aldridge, Jörg Fachner, 2006 An international collection examining the opportunities for using music-induced states of altered consciousness. The observations of the contributors cover a wide range of music types capable of inducing altered states. It will interest practicing music therapists, musicologists, and ethnomusicologists, students and academics in the field. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Inner Sound Jonathan Weinel, 2018-02-01 Over the last century, developments in electronic music and art have enabled new possibilities for creating audio and audio-visual artworks. With this new potential has come the possibility for representing subjective internal conscious states, such as the experience of hallucinations, using digital technology. Combined with immersive technologies such as virtual reality goggles and high-quality loudspeakers, the potential for accurate simulations of conscious encounters such as Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) is rapidly advancing. In Inner Sound, author Jonathan Weinel traverses the creative influence of ASCs, from Amazonian chicha festivals to the synaesthetic assaults of neon raves; and from an immersive outdoor electroacoustic performance on an Athenian hilltop to a mushroom trip on a tropical island in virtual reality. Beginning with a discussion of consciousness, the book explores how our subjective realities may change during states of dream, psychedelic experience, meditation, and trance. Taking a broad view across a wide range of genres, Inner Sound draws connections between shamanic art and music, and the modern technoshamanism of psychedelic rock, electronic dance music, and electroacoustic music. Going beyond the sonic into the visual, the book also examines the role of altered states in film, visual music, VJ performances, interactive video games, and virtual reality applications. Through the analysis of these examples, Weinel uncovers common mechanisms, and ultimately proposes a conceptual model for Altered States of Consciousness Simulations (ASCSs). This theoretical model describes how sound can be used to simulate various subjective states of consciousness from a first-person perspective, in an interactive context. Throughout the book, the ethical issues regarding altered states of consciousness in electronic music and audio-visual media are also examined, ultimately allowing the reader not only to consider the design of ASCSs, but also the implications of their use for digital society. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: States of Consciousness Charles T. Tart, 2000-12 States of Consciousness, a classic by world authority Charles T. Tart, is a basic understanding of how the mind is a dynamic, culturally biased, semi-arbitrary construction and system. A systematic exploration of how and why altered states can come about and their possibilities. As a student of his remarked, “For the first weeks of class I didn’t understand what those diagrams were about, but I’ve realized the book is all about the way my own mind works!” Useful in understanding some of the important ways your mind works before you start altering it. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: ALTERED STATES (English Edition) Paddy Chayefsky, 2022-01-19 Edward Jessup, a young psycho-physiologist, experiments with different states of consciousness, obsessed with an addiction to truth and knowledge. He injects himself with psychedelic drugs, lies locked in an isolation tank and experiences all the stages of pre-human consciousness until finally terrible changes take place with him: Jessup also physically transforms into a pre-human being. His thirst for knowledge drives him into ever new, increasingly irreversible transformations. Only the horror when his body begins to dissolve into pure energy brings him back to human bonds... Paddy Chayefsky (January 29, 1923 – August 1, 1981), one of the most important US dramatists, wrote a breath-taking, equally philosophical shocker with his debut novel. In 1980, British director Ken Russell adapted the novel based on Paddy Chayefsky's screenplay - starring: William Hurt, Blair Brown and Drew Barrymore. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: States of Consciousness Andrzej Kokoszka, 2006-12-28 States of Consciousness expands on the pioneering work of J.H. Jackson, offering contemporary models for studying consciousness in both pathology and normal altered states, including relaxation, sleep, meditation, and hypnosis. The author clarifies distinctions between the neuroscientific and psychiatric components of consciousness; at the same time, his theories are rooted firmly in the biopsychosocial approach. The book’s scope and the author’s attention to detail make it a work of great versatility. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Altered States D. E. Osto, 2016-04-26 In the 1960s, Americans combined psychedelics with Buddhist meditation to achieve direct experience through altered states of consciousness. As some practitioners became more committed to Buddhism, they abandoned the use of psychedelics in favor of stricter mental discipline, but others carried on with the experiment, advancing a fascinating alchemy called psychedelic Buddhism. Many think exploration with psychedelics in Buddhism faded with the revolutionary spirit of the sixties, but the underground practice has evolved into a brand of religiosity as eclectic and challenging as the era that created it. Altered States combines interviews with well-known figures in American Buddhism and psychedelic spirituality—including Lama Surya Das, Erik Davis, Geoffrey Shugen Arnold Sensei, Rick Strassman, and Charles Tart—and personal stories of everyday practitioners to define a distinctly American religious phenomenon. The nuanced perspective that emerges, grounded in a detailed history of psychedelic religious experience, adds critical depth to debates over the controlled use of psychedelics and drug-induced mysticism. The book also opens new paths of inquiry into such issues as re-enchantment, the limits of rationality, the biochemical and psychosocial basis of altered states of consciousness, and the nature of subjectivity. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: A State of Mind Dillon Jepsen, 2018-05-15 Have the desire to understand the unknown? Are you willing to challenge your mind? This is your guide for seeking deeper insight for our existence. If you want a more profound understanding of what remains hidden from public awareness, to make connection between life and something much greater, and are willing to challenge your perception of reality, then A State of Mind is the book you've been waiting for. In the year 2012, at the age of 19, Dillon Jepsen developed a mental disorder leading him into dreamlike realities. Seeing hidden dimensions to reality, and with his inquisitive interest, these experiences led him to gain perspective on how reality operates fundamentally. He discovered an extension of his own character that he named Mark and embraced a connection with awakening reality. His journey over time furthered his understanding of the Divine Universe. Are you prepared to journey into the unknown? A State of Mind invites you to see the distinction of the Divine creating intrinsic purpose to reality and our existence. How does knowledge reveal itself through revelation? Is it the mark of genius or a descent into madness? Jepsen writes a compelling narrative that challenges conventional perspectives, blurring the lines between our rational reality and the limitless realm of creative imagination. Within the pages of this thought-provoking creative nonfiction novel, A State of Mind, you will: - Engage in an academic analysis of elitism through the lens of social science. - Unlock our world system as a demiurgic matrix. - Gain insight into philosophies such as Gnosticism, Kabbalah, Neoplatonism, and more. - Delve into a thoughtful analysis of the Tree of Life and its intricate correspondences. - Consider speculation on dark matter, previous universes, and the all-natural singularity. - Tap into your psychospiritual disposition for growth and a connection to the divine. - Discover the cosmic drama of the universe, learn of the divine mind and intelligence. A State of Mind is a unique and captivating exploration of the divine universe and the hidden nature of reality. If you are drawn to spiritual guidance, revelatory philosophies, and the revelation of powerful hidden worlds, then Dillon M. Jepsen's descent into other realms will leave you enthralled. Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey of the mind. Buy A State of Mind today and unlock the secrets of existence that await within its pages. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Observing Self Arthur J. Deikman, 1983-04-15 In The Observing Self, noted psychiatrist Arthur J. Deikman lucidly relates how the mystical tradition can enable Western psychology to come to terms with the essential problems of meaning, self, and human progress. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Blackwell Companion to Consciousness Susan Schneider, Max Velmans, 2017-03-16 Updated and revised, the highly-anticipated second edition of The Blackwell Companion to Consciousness offers a collection of readings that together represent the most thorough and comprehensive survey of the nature of consciousness available today. Features updates to scientific chapters reflecting the latest research in the field Includes 18 new theoretical, empirical, and methodological chapters covering integrated information theory, renewed interest in panpsychism, and more Covers a wide array of topics that include the origins and extent of consciousness, various consciousness experiences such as meditation and drug-induced states, and the neuroscience of consciousness Presents 54 peer-reviewed chapters written by leading experts in the study of consciousness, from across a variety of academic disciplines |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Dream Drugstore J. Allan Hobson, 2002-08-23 An investigation into the brain's chemistry and the mechanisms of chemically altered states of consciousness. In this book, J. Allan Hobson offers a new understanding of altered states of consciousness based on knowledge of how our brain chemistry is balanced when we are awake and how that balance shifts when we fall asleep and dream. He draws on recent research that enables us to explain how psychedelic drugs work to disturb that balance and how similar imbalances may cause depression and schizophrenia. He also draws on work that expands our understanding of how certain drugs can correct imbalances and restore the brain's natural equilibrium. Hobson explains the chemical balance concept in terms of what we know about the regulation of normal states of consciousness over the course of the day by brain chemicals called neuromodulators. He presents striking confirmation of the principle that every drug that has transformative effects on consciousness interacts with the brain's own consciousness-altering chemicals. In the section called The Medical Drugstore, Hobson describes drugs used to counteract anxiety and insomnia, to raise and lower mood, and to eliminate or diminish the hallucinations and delusions of schizophrenia. He discusses the risks involved in their administration, including the possibility of new disorders caused by indiscriminate long-term use. In The Recreational Drugstore, Hobson discusses psychedelic drugs, narcotic analgesia, and natural drugs. He also considers the distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate drug use. In the concluding Psychological Drugstore, he discusses the mind as an agent, not just the mediator, of change, and corrects many erroneous assumptions and practices that hinder the progress of psychoanalysis. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Consciousness Medicine Françoise Bourzat, Kristina Hunter, 2019-06-25 A comprehensive guide to the safe and ethical application of expanded states of consciousness for therapists, healing practitioners, and sincere explorers Psychedelic medicines also known as entheogens are entering the mainstream. And it’s no wonder: despite having access to the latest wellness trends and advances in technology, we’re no healthier, happier, or more meaningfully connected. Psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, and LSD—as well as other time-tested techniques with the power to shift consciousness such as drumming, meditation, and vision quests—are now being recognized as potent catalysts for change and healing. But how do we ensure that we’re approaching them effectively? Françoise Bourzat—a counselor and experienced guide with sanctioned training in the Mazatec and other indigenous traditions—and healer Kristina Hunter introduce a holistic model focusing on the threefold process of preparation, journey, and integration. Drawing from more than thirty years of experience, Bourzat’s skillful and heartfelt approach presents the therapeutic application of expanded states, without divorcing them from their traditional contexts. Consciousness Medicine delivers a coherent map for navigating nonordinary states of consciousness, offering an invaluable contribution to the field of healing and transformation. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Investigating Phenomenal Consciousness Max Velmans, 2000-01-01 How can one investigate phenomenal consciousness? As in other areas of science, the investigation of consciousness aims for a more precise knowledge of its phenomena, and the discovery of general truths about their nature. This requires the development of appropriate first-person, second-person and third-person methods. This book introduces some of the creative ways in which these methods can be applied to different purposes, e.g. to understanding the relation of consciousness to brain, to examining or changing consciousness as such, and to understanding the way consciousness is influenced by social, clinical and therapeutic contexts. To clarify the strengths and weaknesses of different methods and to demonstrate the interplay of methodology and epistemology, the book also suggests a number of maps of the consciousness studies terrain that place different approaches to the study of consciousness into a broader, interdisciplinary context. (Series A). |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Expanding Dimensions of Consciousness A. Arthur Sugerman, 1978 |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Mind Beyond Brain David E. Presti, 2018-10-02 Among the most profound questions we confront are the nature of what and who we are as conscious beings, and how the human mind relates to the rest of what we consider reality. For millennia, philosophers, scientists, and religious thinkers have attempted answers, perhaps none more meaningful today than those offered by neuroscience and by Buddhism. The encounter between these two worldviews has spurred ongoing conversations about what science and Buddhism can teach each other about mind and reality. In Mind Beyond Brain, the neuroscientist David E. Presti, with the assistance of other distinguished researchers, explores how evidence for anomalous phenomena—such as near-death experiences, apparent memories of past lives, apparitions, experiences associated with death, and other so-called psi or paranormal phenomena, including telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition—can influence the Buddhism-science conversation. Presti describes the extensive but frequently unacknowledged history of scientific investigation into these phenomena, demonstrating its relevance to questions about consciousness and reality. The new perspectives opened up, if we are willing to take evidence of such often off-limits topics seriously, offer significant challenges to dominant explanatory paradigms and raise the prospect that we may be poised for truly revolutionary developments in the scientific investigation of mind. Mind Beyond Brain represents the next level in the science and Buddhism dialogue. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Alterations of Consciousness Imants Barušs, 2003-01-01 This book presents an analytic investigation into the nature of cognitive reality. The author explores various manifestations of consciousness with rational and empirical rigor; he begins with more ordinary states such as thinking, sleeping, and dreaming and then continues on with more extraordinary states such as hypnosis, trance, psychedelic experiences, transcendence, and experiences associated with death. This comprehensive overview of altered states examines consciousness from the physiological, cognitive, and experiential points of view. Readers will gain from this text an enriched understanding of consciousness, reality, and the scientific endeavor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved). |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Consciousness Susan Blackmore, Emily T. Troscianko, 2018-04-27 Is there a theory that explains the essence of consciousness? Or is consciousness itself an illusion? Am I conscious now? Now considered the 'last great mystery of science', consciousness was once viewed with extreme scepticism and rejected by mainstream scientists. It is now a significant area of research, albeit a contentious one, as well as a rapidly expanding area of study for students of psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience. This edition of Consciousness, revised by author team Susan Blackmore and Emily Troscianko, explores the key theories and evidence in consciousness studies ranging from neuroscience and psychology to quantum theories and philosophy. It examines why the term ‘consciousness’ has no recognised definition and provides an opportunity to delve into personal intuitions about the self, mind, and consciousness. Featuring comprehensive coverage of all core topics in the field, this edition includes: Why the problem of consciousness is so hard Neuroscience and the neural correlates of consciousness Why we might be mistaken about our own minds The apparent difference between conscious and unconscious Theories of attention, free will, and self and other The evolution of consciousness in animals and machines Altered states from meditation to drugs and dreaming Complete with key concept boxes, profiles of well-known thinkers, and questions and activities suitable for both independent study and group work, Consciousness provides a complete introduction to this fascinating field. Additional resources are available on the accompanying companion website: www.routledge.com/cw/blackmore |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Deleuze, Altered States and Film Anna Powell, 2012-02-20 This book offers a typology of altered states, defining dream, hallucination, trance, vision and ecstasy in their cinematic expression. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Neurochemistry of Consciousness Elaine K. Perry, Heather Ashton, Allan H. Young, 2002-01-01 This pioneering book explores in depth the role of neurotransmitters in conscious awareness. The central aim is to identify common neural denominators of conscious awareness, informed by the neurochemistry of natural, drug induced and pathological states of consciousness. Chemicals such as acetylcholine and dopamine, which bridge the synaptic gap between neurones, are the 'neurotransmitters in mind' that form the substance of the volume, which is essential reading for all who believe that unravelling mechanisms of consciousness must include these vital systems of the brain.Up-to-date information is provided on: Psychological domains of attention, motivation, memory, sleep and dreaming that define normal states of consciousness. Effects of chemicals that alter or abolish consciousness, including hallucinogens and anaesthetics. Disorders of the brain such as dementia, schizophrenia and depression considered from the novel perspective of the way these affect consciousness, and how this might relate to disturbances in neurotransmission. (Series B) |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Mystic Mind Jerome Kroll, Bernard Bachrach, 2006-06-01 A fascinating collaboration between a medieval historian and a professor of psychiatry, this enthralling book applies modern biological and psychological research findings to the lives of medieval mystics and ascetics. Drawing upon a database of over 1,400 medieval holy persons and in-depth studies of individual saints, this illuminating study examines the relationship between medieval mystical experiences, the religious practices of mortification; laceration of the flesh, sleep deprivation and extreme starvation, and how these actions produced altered states of consciousness and brain function in the heroic ascetics. Examining and disputing much contemporary writing about the political and gender motivations in the medieval quest for a closeness with God, this is essential reading for anyone with an interest in medieval religion or the effects of self-injurious behaviour on the mind. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Book of Highs Edward Rosenfeld, 2018-04-17 Blow Your Mindfulness An encyclopedia for the curious and courageous, The Book of Highs catalogs the hundreds of ways humans can alter consciousness, minus drugs and alcohol. Drawn from cultures around the world, here are positive techniques—Self-Hypnosis, Alterations of Breathing, Fervent Prayer, Spinning. And here are “negative” techniques—Self-Flagellation, Sleep Deprivation, Fire Walking. Methods derived from religious and mystic traditions—Transcendental Meditation, Tea Ceremony, Tantric Sex. Methods that use devices, from the domestic Metronome Watching, to the state-of-the-art Brain-Wave Biofeedback, Electrodermal Activity (EDA), Ganzfeld Effect, and Psychedelic Bathtub. Whether you’re looking for a life-changing adventure—like Skydiving—or something to do every day, just to change things up—like Zen Morning Laugh—The Book of Highs will get you there. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Edgar Cayce Primer Herbert Puryear, 1985-02-01 The Edgar Cayce story is one of the most compelling in inspirational literature. Over the course of forty years the Sleeping Prophet time and again closed his eyes, entered an altered state of consciousness, and spoke to the very heat and spirit of mankind on subjects such as health, healing, dreams, meditation, sexuality, and reincarnation. His more than 14,000 readings are preserved at the Association for Research and Enlightenment. And now, with the guidance of Edgar Cayce, we can learn how to mine our psychic strengths for happier and healthier lives. Here are the readings of The Sleeping Prophet, condensed and simplified--the wisdom to help us make the right decisions affecting all facets of our lives. Cayce speaks out on: The sources of psychic development, reincarnation, Karma and grace, dreams, meditation, prayer, personal health (including diet and exercises,) holistic healing, sexuality, spirituality, rejuvenation, religion, spiritual psychology, and much more. Cayce offers us the keys to insight, enlightenment, and total fulfillment. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Cambridge Handbook of the Imagination Anna Abraham, 2020-06-18 The human imagination manifests in countless different forms. We imagine the possible and the impossible. How do we do this so effortlessly? Why did the capacity for imagination evolve and manifest with undeniably manifold complexity uniquely in human beings? This handbook reflects on such questions by collecting perspectives on imagination from leading experts. It showcases a rich and detailed analysis on how the imagination is understood across several disciplines of study, including anthropology, archaeology, medicine, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and the arts. An integrated theoretical-empirical-applied picture of the field is presented, which stands to inform researchers, students, and practitioners about the issues of relevance across the board when considering the imagination. With each chapter, the nature of human imagination is examined - what it entails, how it evolved, and why it singularly defines us as a species. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Indian Asceticism Carl Olson, 2015-03-03 Throughout the history of Indian religions, the ascetic figure is most closely identified with power. A by-product of the ascetic path, power is displayed in the ability to fly, walk on water or through dense objects, read minds, discern the former lives of others, see into the future, harm others, or simply levitate one's body. These tales give rise to questions about how power and violence are related to the phenomenon of play. Indian Asceticism focuses on the powers exhibited by ascetics of India from ancient to modern time. Carl Olson discusses the erotic, the demonic, the comic, and the miraculous forms of play and their connections to power and violence. He focuses on Hinduism, but evidence is also presented from Buddhism and Jainism, suggesting that the subject matter of this book pervades India's major indigenous religious traditions. The book includes a look at the extent to which findings in cognitive science can add to our understanding of these various powers; Olson argues that violence is built into the practice of the ascetic. Indian Asceticism culminates with an attempt to rethink the nature of power in a way that does justice to the literary evidence from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain sources. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Evolution of Consciousness Robert Evan Ornstein, 1992-11 Based on his life's research, Robert Ornstein provides a look at the evolution of the mind. He explains that we are not rational but adaptive, and that it is Darwin, not Freud, who is the central scientist of the brain. Our minds have evolved to help us survive, not to reason. At the same time, our individual worlds have developed our minds and destroyed many of our natural abilities. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Science of Consciousness Trevor A. Harley, 2021-02-18 An introduction to the psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience of consciousness, including sleep, dreaming, meditative, and altered states. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Phenomenology of Spirit Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, 1998 wide criticism both from Western and Eastern scholars. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Highest State of Consciousness John Warren White, 1972 On cosmic consciousness, peak experiences and transcendental unconscious. Includes articles by Stanley Krippner, Aldous Huxley, R.D. Laing, Alan W. Watts, Abraham Maslow, P.D. Ouspensky, Arthur Waley and Norman O. Brown. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Hospital Neurology Book Arash Salardini, Jose Biller, 2016-05-30 Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product. A practical, protocol-oriented guide to the practice of neurology in the hospital setting A Doody's Core Title for 2019! Designed to meet the need for a practical and pedagogical resource on hospital neurology, The Hospital Neurology Book is a concise and useful work that guides general neurologists, neurohospitalists, and internists in the proper care of patients in the hospital who have neurological diseases and disorders and associated internal medicine conditions. The Hospital Neurology Book features a highly readable format, providing information physicians can act upon, including recipes and protocols for patient care and question-based chapter headings that lead physicians to the exact issue they are dealing with in the moment. Realistic case studies appear throughout chapters alongside practical tables, algorithms, full-color illustrations, radiological images, detailed references, and high yield key points useful for consolidating learning. · A unique practical and pedagogical tool that takes a symptoms-based approach to neurology practice in the hospital setting · Organized around common presentations that a hospital neurologist or a hospitalist with neurology patients would likely encounter · Utilizes a case-based approach for optimum assimilation of information · Concentrates on presenting hospital neurology in a digestible way, focusing on practical information and approach, while providing references to more detailed sources of information · Each chapter is self-contained and can be read in any particular order, based on interest or need If you are looking for text that bridges the gap between the way neurology is taught and is actually |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Altered States of Consciousness Charles T. Tart, 1972 On consciousness, hypnosis, dream consciousness, meditation and psychedelic drugs. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: How to Change Your Mind Michael Pollan, 2019-05-14 Now on Netflix as a 4-part documentary series! “Pollan keeps you turning the pages . . . cleareyed and assured.” —New York Times A #1 New York Times Bestseller, New York Times Book Review 10 Best Books of 2018, and New York Times Notable Book A brilliant and brave investigation into the medical and scientific revolution taking place around psychedelic drugs--and the spellbinding story of his own life-changing psychedelic experiences When Michael Pollan set out to research how LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. But upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third. Thus began a singular adventure into various altered states of consciousness, along with a dive deep into both the latest brain science and the thriving underground community of psychedelic therapists. Pollan sifts the historical record to separate the truth about these mysterious drugs from the myths that have surrounded them since the 1960s, when a handful of psychedelic evangelists inadvertently catalyzed a powerful backlash against what was then a promising field of research. A unique and elegant blend of science, memoir, travel writing, history, and medicine, How to Change Your Mind is a triumph of participatory journalism. By turns dazzling and edifying, it is the gripping account of a journey to an exciting and unexpected new frontier in our understanding of the mind, the self, and our place in the world. The true subject of Pollan's mental travelogue is not just psychedelic drugs but also the eternal puzzle of human consciousness and how, in a world that offers us both suffering and joy, we can do our best to be fully present and find meaning in our lives. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Wrong Way Home Arthur Deikman, 1990 Deikman (psychiatry, U. of Calif. San Francisco) shows how the dynamics of cult behavior (and their self destructive characteristics) are so pervasive in normal society that we all might be seen as members of invisible cults. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Positive Psychology of Synchronicity Chris Mackey, 2019-08-13 ÒA profound introduction to deep concepts of mind, meaning and the challenges of creating a life well lived for everyone.Ó Ð Ernest Rossi, PhD, author of The Psychobiology of Gene Expression and Creating Consciousness Synchronicity is meaningful coincidence that connects our inner and outer worlds. This book reveals how it can guide us along our life path, helping us through challenging times and nudging us toward self-fulfilment. Psychologist Chris Mackey writes from personal experience, not only as a practitioner but also as a patient who has suffered serious mental illness. Formerly a rationalist with little time for non-scientific approaches, his own experiences and those of his patients have convinced him that synchronicity has a key role to play in helping us to tap into our intuitive and spiritual selves and guiding us through life. This exciting new approach to synchronicity and the treatment of depression and other mental disorders will be of great interest to practitioners and patients alike, as well as to anyone interested in the opportunities offered by altered states of consciousness. The book includes: ¥ Carl JungÕs original description of synchronicity ¥ Real-life case studies ¥ Brain science ¥ Practical ways to work with synchronicity, including journalling, symbol analysis and dream interpretation. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Letter from Birmingham Jail MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., Martin Luther King, 2018 This landmark missive from one of the greatest activists in history calls for direct, non-violent resistance in the fight against racism, and reflects on the healing power of love. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Ego Tunnel Thomas Metzinger, 2009-03-17 Examine the inner workings of the mind and learn what consciousness and a sense of self really means - and if it even exists. We're used to thinking about the self as an independent entity, something that we either have or are. In The Ego Tunnel, philosopher Thomas Metzinger claims otherwise: No such thing as a self exists. The conscious self is the content of a model created by our brain-an internal image, but one we cannot experience as an image. Everything we experience is a virtual self in a virtual reality.But if the self is not real, why and how did it evolve? How does the brain construct it? Do we still have souls, free will, personal autonomy, or moral accountability? In a time when the science of cognition is becoming as controversial as evolution, The Ego Tunnel provides a stunningly original take on the mystery of the mind. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Am I Dreaming? James Kingsland, 2019-08-01 When a computer goes wrong, we are told to turn it off and on again. In Am I Dreaming?, science journalist James Kingsland reveals how the human brain is remarkably similar. By rebooting our hard-wired patterns of thinking - through so-called 'altered states of consciousness' - we can gain new perspectives into ourselves and the world around us.From shamans in Peru to tech workers in Silicon Valley, Kingsland provides a fascinating tour through lucid dreams, mindfulness, hypnotic trances, virtual reality and drug-induced hallucinations. An eye-opening insight into perception and consciousness, this is also a provocative argument for how altered states can significantly boost our mental health. |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Transcendent Mind Imants Barušs, Julia Mossbridge, 2017 Where does consciousness come from? For most scientists and laypeople, it is axiomatic that something in the substance of the brain -- neurons, synapses and gray matter in just the right combination -- create perception, self-awareness, and intentionality. Yet despite decades of neurological research, that something -- the mechanism by which this process is said to occur -- has remained frustratingly elusive. This is no accident, as the authors of this book argue, given that the evidence increasingly points to a startling fact: consciousness may not, in fact, reside in the brain at all. In this wide-ranging and deeply scientific book, Imants Barušs and Julia Mossbridge utilize findings from special relativity and quantum mechanics, modern and ancient philosophers, and paranormal psychology to build a rigorous, detailed investigation into the origins and nature of human consciousness. Along the way, they examine the scientific literature on concepts including mediumship, out-of-body and near-death experiences, telekinesis, apparent versus deep time, and mind-to-mind communication, and introduce eye-opening ideas about our shared reality. The result is a revelatory tour of the post-materialist world -- and a roadmap for consciousness research in the twenty-first century--Publicity materials. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved). |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: Investigating Phenomenal Consciousness Max Velmans, 2000-11-29 How can one investigate phenomenal consciousness? As in other areas of science, the investigation of consciousness aims for a more precise knowledge of its phenomena, and the discovery of general truths about their nature. This requires the development of appropriate first-person, second-person and third-person methods. This book introduces some of the creative ways in which these methods can be applied to different purposes, e.g. to understanding the relation of consciousness to brain, to examining or changing consciousness as such, and to understanding the way consciousness is influenced by social, clinical and therapeutic contexts. To clarify the strengths and weaknesses of different methods and to demonstrate the interplay of methodology and epistemology, the book also suggests a number of “maps” of the consciousness studies terrain that place different approaches to the study of consciousness into a broader, interdisciplinary context. (Series A). |
| altered states of consciousness a book of readings: The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Transpersonal Psychology Harris L. Friedman, Glenn Hartelius, 2015-06-22 THE WILEY-BLACKWELL HANDBOOK OF Transpersonal Psychology The new Handbook of Transpersonal Psychology is a necessity today. Many transpersonal psychologists and psychotherapists have been waiting for such a comprehensive work. Congratulations to Harris Friedman and Glenn Hartelius. May this book contribute to an increasingly adventurous, creative, and vibrant universe. —Ingo B. Jahrsetz, President, The European Transpersonal Association The Handbook of Transpersonal Psychology is an outstanding, comprehensive overview of the field. It is a valuable resource for professional transpersonal practitioners, and an excellent introduction for those who are new to this wide-ranging discipline. —Frances Vaughan, PhD. Psychologist, author of Shadows of the Sacred: Seeing Through Spiritual Illusions Finally, the vast literature on transpersonal psychology has been collected in what is clearly the essential handbook for psychologists and others who have either too apologetically endorsed or too critically rejected what undoubtedly will define psychology in the future. If you are not a transpersonal psychologist now, you will be after exploring this handbook. No longer can one dismiss the range of topics confronted by transpersonal psychologists nor demand methodological restraints that refuse to confront the realities transpersonal psychologists explore. This is a marvelous handbook—critical, expansive, and like much of what transpersonal psychologists study, sublime. —Ralph W. Hood Jr., University of Tennessee, Chattanooga With contributions from more than fifty scholars, this is the most inclusive resource yet published on transpersonal psychology, which advocates a rounded approach to human well-being, integrating ancient beliefs and modern knowledge. Proponents view the field as encompassing Jungian principles, psychotherapeutic techniques such as Holotropic Breathwork, and the meditative practices found in Hinduism and Buddhism. Alongside the core commentary on transpersonal theories—including holotropic states; science, with chapters on neurobiology and psychometrics; and relevance to feminism or concepts of social justice—the volume includes sections describing transpersonal experiences, accounts of differing approaches to healing, wellness, and personal development, and material addressing the emerging field of transpersonal studies. Chapters on shamanism and psychedelic therapies evoke the multifarious interests of the transpersonal psychology community. The result is a richly flavored distillation of the underlying principles and active ingredients in the field. |
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ALTERED | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
ALTERED definition: 1. changed; different: 2. (of an animal) having had part of its sexual organs removed, so that it…. Learn more.
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ALTERED Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of ALTERED is made different in some way. How to use altered in a sentence.
Altered - definition of altered by The Free Dictionary
altered - changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose; "seeds precisely adapted to the area"; "instructions altered to suit the children's different ages"
What does altered mean? - Definitions.net
Altered refers to the state of being changed or modified in some way, often to improve, adjust, or adapt to new conditions, requirements, or specifications. This change may be minor or …
ALTERED - Definition & Meaning - Reverso English Dictionary
Altered definition: changed from an original form. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, related words.
alter verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes ...
Definition of alter verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [intransitive, transitive] to become different; to make somebody/something different. Prices have not altered significantly …
ALTERED definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
ALTERED definition: to make or become different in some respect ; change | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples
Altered - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com
Altered is an adjective that describes anything that's been changed or modified. You might need altered clothing after you succeed at your diet, or feel like you are in an "altered state" after …
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ALTERED | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
ALTERED definition: 1. changed; different: 2. (of an animal) having had part of its sexual organs removed, so that it…. Learn more.
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Altar’d State started with a mission to fill a gap in the retail industry and change the world for the better. We began as one little shop – learning, growing, defining who we are. …
ALTERED Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of ALTERED is made different in some way. How to use altered in a sentence.
Altered - definition of altered by The Free Dictionary
altered - changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose; "seeds precisely adapted to the area"; "instructions altered to suit the children's different ages"
