Altered states of consciousness

Altered states of consciousness are mental states of experience where our awareness works in a qualitatively different way than when we are fully awake. Unlike the usual state of being awake there is in altered states of consciousness 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 for handling our lives.

What matters is perhaps not to know that there are different states of consciousness and awareness. It is 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 undertand how we can become aware of our unconscious, or sub-conscious, mental processes and change them for the better if they threaten the possibility for 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, in an altered state of consciousness, 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 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 and here a bridge can 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 a pretty 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 are awake.

The message from the unconscious is also here presented in the form of symbolic mental images. It is possible to understand what 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. Because they are symbolic expressions of the mind it can be difficult to understand what they reflect of the dreamer’s 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 answer to what a persons dream wants to tell her. But another person’s interpretation of what the dream could tell the dreamer can be an important tool for her own understanding.

Hypnosis and self-hypnosis are states of altered consciousness.

The definition of hypnosis is, according to the Swedish psychologist 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 characterises 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.