Altered states of consciousness

Altered states of consciousness

By Jimmy Henderson 

Our normal waking consciousness, rational consciousness as we call it, is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different.’
William James (Psychologist, Author)

Altered states of consciousness, during which one can gain access to higher levels of Mind, can occur as the result of illness, but can also be induced by mental processes such as meditation, contemplation and self-induced trance.

Altered states can also be induced by a raised level of consciousness, intense emotions, or rituals involving places which have a special significance. Apart from the energetic effect of such places, a visit to a sacred site or even the grave of a loved one can produce a psychological readiness and sensitize the mind to powerful subjective experiences.

However, using a traditional meditative state of mind as a starting point, it is possible to initiate more advanced mental processes which allow one to explore the depths of the psyche, bypass psychological barriers and engage the collective unconscious. The actual steps involved in these processes have been comprehensively discussed in my previous book ‘Multi-Dimensional Perception’ and it will suffice at this point to mention that they involve an advanced form of interactive visualisation combined with the use of practiced intent, in which one exercises the will to move from one point to the next.  

It is also possible to mould, shift and direct one’s consciousness to perform a variety of tasks, including extending conscious perception into one's subconscious and even beyond that to engage with other realms of Mind. This ability to control and extend our consciousness opens up the entire universe as well as the hidden dimensions of our own psyche for examination. 

Jimmy Henderson is a philosopher, metaphysician and the author of a number of books and articles on inner self-development. He has an Honours degree in philosophy, a Masters degree in Psychology, and is currently busy with his PHD in cognitive psychology. His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and Kalahari.com and can also be ordered via his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com