Altered states of consciousness

Altered states of consciousness are mental states in which our awareness works in a qualitatively different way than when we are fully awake. Unlike the waking state there is in such a mental state a possibility to come into contact with the unconscious mind which probably contains the greater part of our total consciousness. As our perceptions and spontaneous actions, contrary to what many believe, to a high degree are guided by the unconscious mind it goes without saying that the opportunity to get in touch with this part of our mind should be important to manage our lives.

What matters is perhaps not only the knowledge that there actually are different states of consciousness and awareness. It seems more important to understand that we always are more or less guided by unconscious notions and thought processes. And above all it is important to understand how we can become aware of our unconscious, or sub-conscious, mental processes and change them for the better if they threaten the possibility of a more harmonious life. When falling asleep, in dreams or in light hypnotic states, can we come into contact with the unconscious, learn from it and influence it. We can do this ourselves. But please note that this is not the same as those deep hypnotic states which are used in professional medicine and psychotherapy.

The common factor in altered states of consciousness is a reduction, or loss, of reality testing. This means that the learned and habitual interpretation of sensory impressions reaching the brain has a weaker credibility for the mind. If the the mind’s reality testing is changed, internal and external signals to the brain can be interpreted in a different way than when we are awake.

In an altered state of consciousness we are able to come into contact with that what already exists in the unconscious mind. And in this state it is also possible to create new mental images which then can become deeply rooted in the mind. Mental images are of course a natural consequence of being alive and having a mind. But if we can become aware of those mental images that govern our thoughts and acting, we have an opportunity to change them. This method of changing the ways we think and act by influencing our mental images is called ”Visualisation”.

Sleep is a state of altered consciousness.

Just when we fall asleep, but also when we are waking up, we experience a state of altered consciousness. A bridge can here be formed between the conscious and the unconscious mind. This is a well known experience for most of us.

Dreaming is another state of altered consciousness.

Dreams are one way in which our unconscious mind spontaneously communicates with us. We spend quite a big part of our night (about 20%) and our lives (5-6 years) in dreams. Normally we associate dreaming with our usual night sleep. But there are other conditions in which we can experience dreams, for example under the influence of medical drugs or narcotics. We can even experience dream images when we seem to be awake. Also here are the message from the unconscious presented in the form of symbolic mental images.

It is possible to understand what all these images want to tell us but the only person who can interpret them correctly is the dreamer, because dreams are  reflections of the dreamer’s own mind. But it can be difficult for us to understand what they reflect of our own life. Which makes it still more difficult for outsiders to understand them. But there are methods for the interpretation of dreams. As said, it is not easy for others to get a clear understanding of a persons dream. But another person’s interpretation of what the dream perhaps could tell can be an important clue for the dreamer.

Hypnosis and self-hypnosis are states of altered consciousness.

The definition of hypnosis is, according to the Swedish professor in psychology Lars-Eric Uneståhl ”a state of subjective and qualitative changes of consciousness characterised by an increased concentration, by an in-depth relaxation and by an increased readiness to respond to suggestions and ideas”.

We can enter a light hypnotic state ourselves and use this for physical and mental rest. But we can also use it to seek contact with the rich resources that exist inside us and beyond us. In this state of consciousness we can gain a deeper insight about ourselves and give ourselves images and suggestions which help us coming closer to the harmony between mind and body that characterizes a person who has found herself. The most effective ways to achieve a light self-hypnosis are relaxation and meditation. To engage in such training, and see that it gives results, is immensely enriching.