altered states and transcendental experiences

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altered states and transcendental experiences

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Overview-

• Nikki-basic introduction, explanation of
  transcendental and peak experiences, what
  universally defines a peak experience, and the
  long-term effects of peak experiences
• Megan-introduction to various types of drug
• Sean-music and transcendence
• Eva-transcendental dance
• David-binaural beats

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Achieving Altered States

• -drugs containing psychedelic substances
  (mescaline-active ingredient in the peyote
  cactus, psilocybin-active ingredient in some
  types of mushrooms, LSD, morning glory seeds,
  many more)
• -meditation/sustained meditation
• -breathing exercises
• -self-awareness exercises
• -self-actualizing techniques
• -deprivation (food, sleep, sensory stimulation)
• -infection

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Terminology

• -TRANCENDENTAL EXPERIENCE, MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE,
  PEAK EXPERIENCE
• THE SAME THING!!!!
• (FOR THE MOST PART)

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What makes an experience mystical or
transcendental??

• There are NINE universal characteristics
• 1. Unity 6. Paradoxicality
• 2. Transcendence 7. Alleged
  ineffability
• of time and space 8. Transciency
• 3. Deeply felt positive mood 9. Persisting
  positive
• 4. Sense of sacredness changes in
  attitude
• 5. Objectivity and reality and
  behavior

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UNITY

• -The most important characteristic of the
  mystical experience
• Two types
• internal unity-loss of ego or usual sense of
  self identity
• external unity-a sense of underlying oneness,
  you see that at the most basic level all things
  are a part of the same undifferentiated unity,
  all living things share the same energy

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Transcendence of time and space

• -loss of usual sense of time and space
• TIME-loss of clock time, and may also be ones
  personal sense of past, present and future
• SPACE-loss of usual orientation as to where you
  are at during the experience (loss of
  geographical location)
• -often described as experiences of eternity and
  infinity

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Deeply Felt Positive Mood JJJJJJJJJJ

• The most universal elements are the feelings of
  JOY, BLESSEDNESS, and PEACE
• -the unique character of these feelings in
  relation to the mystical experience is the
  intensity that elevates them to the highest
  levels of human experience, tears may be
  associated with any of these elements because of
  the overpowering nature of the experience

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Sense of Sacredness

• Sacred-that which a person feels to be of special
  value and capable of being profaned
• -a non-rational, intuitive response of awe and
  wonder in the presence of inspiring realities
• -no religious beliefs or traditional theological
  terminology need be involved, even thought there
  may be a sense of reverence or a feeling that
  what is experienced is holy or divine

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Objectivity and Reality

• -intuitive illumination of ultimate reality,
  (not the usual, everyday consciousness, not the
  ordinary reality)
• -certainty that this ultimate reality is truly
  real (it is not a subjective illusion)

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Paradoxicality

• -mystical experiences tend to be logically
  contradictory, i.e. The I both exists and does
  not exist, the separateness from, and at the same
  time unity with objects in the experience of
  external unity (a paradoxical transcendence of
  space)

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Alleged Ineffability

• -Words fail to adequately describe an experience
  that is beyond words (the Tao that can be spoken
  is not the eternal Tao)

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Transciency

• -The experience is of a temporary nature, as
  compared to usual experience

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Persisting Positive Changes in Attitudes and
Behavior

• These changes are divided into Four groups
• 1. Stronger sense of personality, undesirable
  traits may be reduced or eliminated, ones sense
  of inner authority may be strengthened, vigor and
  quality of life may be increased, an inner
  optimistic tone may result, resulting in
  increased feelings of happiness, joy, and peace

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Continued

• 2. Changes in attitude and behavior towards
  others including more sensitivity, more
  tolerance, more real love, and more authenticity
  as a person by virtue of being more open and more
  ones true self with others

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Continued

• 3. Changes toward life in a positive direction
  including philosophy of life, sense of values,
  sense of appreciation of life and the whole of
  creation. Life may seem richer. The sense of
  reverence may be increased, and more time may be
  spent in devotional life and meditation

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Continued

• 4. Positive change in attitude toward the
  mystical experience itself means that it is
  regarded as valuable and that what has been
  learned is thought to be useful. The experience
  is remembered as a high point, the mystical
  experiences of others are more readily
  appreciated and understood.

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