Source: “The Fifth Dimension: An Exploration Of The Spiritual Realm”, By John Hick*,* Danforth Professor of the Philosophy of Religion, 2013.
12. Altered States of Consciousness.mp4
12. Altered States of Consciousness - Unfiltering Reality's Hidden Depths.m4a
This topic explores altered states of consciousness, distinguishing them from ordinary awareness by their ability to transcend typical mental limitations and access a broader spectrum of information. It delves into how these states can be induced, particularly highlighting the historical and ongoing use of psychedelic drugs in various cultures for religious or spiritual purposes. The author emphasizes the profound ego-transcendence often experienced, where the individual feels connected to a more universal reality, acknowledging that this can manifest as divine connection or a reflection of negative internal states. Crucially, the text stresses that the quality of these experiences, whether positive or negative, is highly dependent on the "set and setting" – the user's mindset, expectations, and the surrounding environment – rather than solely the drug itself, suggesting that drugs merely facilitate a potential for heightened awareness, which must then be integrated for genuine personal or spiritual growth.
Topic 1: Philosophical Distinction of Consciousness and Experience Experience is defined as any modification of consciousness. A fundamental distinction exists between experiencing something external to one's own mind, such as visually observing an oak tree, and simply being reflexively aware of one's own mental state, like performing mental arithmetic. The key difference lies in whether the experience terminates within one's own mind or constitutes an awareness of something existing independently beyond oneself. This distinction frames a central question regarding religious and mystical experiences: whether they represent a genuine encounter with a reality beyond the individual or are merely internally generated modifications of one's own consciousness.
Topic 2: The Dual Nature of Religious Experience Religious experience is characterized as any alteration of consciousness that is structured by religious concepts. It is important to understand that such an experience does not automatically signify an encounter with a transcendent reality. While religious experience can be a pathway opening one to the Divine, metaphorically described as a "window open to the divine radiance," it can also dangerously reflect negative human emotions and traits such as hatred, greed, spite, ignorance, fear, or self-assertion. In traditional religious terminology, this means religious experience can manifest as both divine and demonic, highlighting its capacity for both profound spiritual connection and destructive deviations.
Topic 3: Normal Consciousness as a Restrictive Filter Normal human consciousness has developed primarily as an adaptive mechanism to facilitate survival and flourishing within the physical and social world. Consequently, it is typically limited to processing only those aspects of the environment that are directly relevant to practical needs. However, there is significant evidence suggesting the mind possesses the capacity to transcend these inherent limitations. The brain and nervous system, along with our ingrained conceptual frameworks, function as a "reducing valve" or a "grid." This mechanism primarily serves to filter out the vast, virtually infinite amount of information constantly surrounding us, thereby protecting individual identity and allowing a finite consciousness to operate by maintaining specific boundaries and focusing on only a minute aspect of reality.
Topic 4: Diverse Methods for Inducing Altered States of Consciousness Altered states of consciousness occur when the brain's normal filtering mechanism is partially suspended, allowing a flood of information not typically accessible. These states can be induced through various means. Pharmacological methods have a long history, including the ancient Indian use of soma, Aztec use of Mexican mushrooms and mescaline from the peyote cactus, and the widespread use of other psychedelic plants. Beyond drugs, non-pharmacological techniques include controlled reduction of breathing to increase carbon dioxide in the blood, fasting, sensory deprivation in dark environments, prolonged sleep loss, and bodily mortifications. Additionally, aesthetic and ritualistic elements like music, dancing, paintings, stained-glass windows, icons, and grand architecture (such as cathedrals and mosques) are carefully orchestrated in rich liturgies to powerfully evoke a sense of transcendence and sacredness, designed to elicit worship.
Topic 5: The Bidirectional Influence Between Mind and Brain It is generally accepted that every mental event correlates with a brain event, whether localized or involving wider areas of the brain. The relationship between mind and brain is one of mutual influence. On one hand, physical impacts on the nervous system and brain changes (such as specific temporal lobe stimulation causing fear or despair) directly produce modifications of consciousness, demonstrating how the brain influences the mind. On the other hand, mental events, particularly acts of volition like thinking, speaking, or purposeful movement, cause corresponding brain events, illustrating how the mind influences the brain. Despite this observable two-way causality being a reality that applies to all experiences, including religious and mystical ones, the precise mechanism by which consciousness itself operates and interacts with the brain remains a complete mystery.
Topic 6: Notable Psychedelic Substances and Their Modern Context Several specific psychedelic, or mind-altering, drugs are highlighted for their historical and recent use. These include peyote, which contains mescaline, and the sacred mushroom, containing psilocybin and psilocyn, both widely utilized in religious ceremonies. Hemp, known by various names such as hashish, marijuana, cannabis, bhang, and ganja, has also been extensively used in religious contexts. In more recent times, complex synthetic drugs like LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) have become available. Although LSD is typically not used within traditional religious ceremonies, its effects are often compared to those of religious experiences, expanding the scope of inquiry into drug-induced altered states.
Topic 7: The Phenomenon of Perception Intensification One of the notable effects of psychedelic drugs, particularly studied in the 1950s and 1960s, is their profound capacity to intensify perception. Aldous Huxley's classic description of his experience with mescaline vividly illustrates this, where mundane objects like a garden chair were perceived with extraordinary luminosity and detail, appearing almost supernaturally vibrant. This heightened sensory experience led him to ponder what it might feel like to be "mad" due to the overwhelming intensity. Such experiences suggest a possible connection to how certain great painters, like Van Gogh, Renoir, and Monet, might have perceived the world with an enhanced intensity that they then sought to capture in their art, making the ordinary appear extraordinarily rich.
Topic 8: Ego-Transcendence as a Universal Spiritual Aspiration A more significant aspect of drug-induced altered states, especially for spiritual inquiry, is their capacity to induce ego-transcendence. In this state, the individual ego and its everyday concerns, which typically define one's separate identity, cease to be paramount. Instead, the experiencer becomes aware of being an integral part of a larger, more universal reality, sometimes even feeling as if they are observing their own individual "ego-self" from a perspective beyond it. This dissolution or expansion of the ego aligns with a goal sought in almost all forms of religion, raising the question of whether this profound spiritual aim can be achieved through chemical means without the arduous practice and discipline traditionally taught by various spiritual traditions.
Topic 9: Multiple Forms of Ego-Transcendence Ego-transcendence, as reported in experiences under drugs like LSD, manifests in several distinct ways. One form involves the realization that "everything is Self," a universal Self encompassing both what is ordinarily considered self and all that is not-self (people, objects, sky, earth), reminiscent of advaitic mystical experiences. Another involves retaining the everyday ego-self but extending its boundaries, causing physically separate people and objects to be perceived as literally "me." A third form, similar to certain Buddhist insights, involves a profound awareness of the relative nature of the self, recognizing that "I" and "other" are correlative and interdependent, not independently separable. Finally, a complete disappearance of the self in every sense can occur, where consciousness continues with an unpatterned, boundless flow of reality, perceived as simply "being as it is," of deep significance beyond chaos or order. Communal drug use can also foster self-transcendence, releasing mutual affection and compassion, echoing Buddhist teachings.