Altered States Of Consciousness: What They Are & How They Help

Altered states of consciousness are a natural part of the human experience, and many of them can be accessed through safe and intentional practices. The goal of these practices is often to shift awareness away from everyday thinking and into expanded modes of perception.

Meditation

Meditation is a core practice in many spiritual and psychological traditions for a reason. By focusing your attention, you can change your brainwave patterns and move into states of deep relaxation, heightened awareness, or a sense of “oneness” or unity.

Technique: There are many types of meditation. A simple starting point is a focus on breath. Find a quiet, comfortable place. Sit or lie down and focus your attention on the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your body. When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back. With consistent practice, you may notice shifts in perception of time, space, and self.

What it does: Meditation helps to quiet the “default mode network” in the brain, which is associated with self-referential thought. This can lead to being more present and less distracted by inner or outer noise.

Breathwork

Certain breathing techniques can directly influence the nervous system and induce altered states.

Technique: A well-known example is Holotropic Breathwork, developed by Stanislav Grof. It involves lying down in a safe, guided setting and breathing faster and deeper than normal for a sustained period, often with evocative music. This can lead to a wide range of intense psychological and physical experiences.

What it does: By changing the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, breathwork can allow the release of emotional and energetic blockages and the emergence of non-ordinary experiences.

Sensory Deprivation

By removing external sensory stimuli, the brain and mind can turn inward, sometimes creating their own internal experiences.

Technique: The most common form is using a “floatation tank” or “isolation tank.” These are light-proof, sound-proof pods filled with warm, salted water that allows you to float effortlessly. Without light, sound, or the sensation of gravity, the mind can enter a deeply meditative state.

What it does: With no external input, the brain may begin to create its own sensations, including vivid imagery, a distorted sense of time, or a feeling of being detached from the body.

Rhythmic Activities

Humans have used drumming, chanting, dancing, and music for centuries to induce trance states.

Technique: You can try listening to rhythmic, repetitive music, such as shamanic drumming, and focusing on the beat. You can also dance freely to music, allowing the body to move without judgment.

What it does: Repetitive rhythms can entrain brainwaves, leading to synchronisation that induces a trance-like state. This is a powerful way to access non-ordinary states of consciousness through the body.

• Start small: If you are new, begin with simple forms of meditation or mindfulness.
• Choose a safe environment: For more intense practices like breathwork or sensory deprivation, always work in a professional, supervised setting.
• Listen to your body: If you feel discomfort or anxiety, stop or slow down.
• Integration is key: After an intense experience, take time to reflect on and process what happened.
• Not a replacement for therapy: If you are dealing with emotional health challenges, these practices should be complementary, not a substitute for professional treatment.

A Journey Into Awareness