CONSCIOUSNESS
and
the Alternative States of
Consciousness in SHAMANISM, IMAGINAL PSYCHOTHERAPIES, HYPNOTHERAPY, and
MEDITATION
A
Cognitive, Intrapsychic, Experiential, and Transpersonal
Research Project
©2001 All Rights Reserved
L.I.F.E. Counseling Group
Shamanism, hypnosis, imaginal psychotherapies,
and meditation are based on the use of what we in the modern western world
think of as non-ordinary human consciousness.
These four modalities have fundamental similarities and differences in
purpose, theory, technique, type of alternative consciousness, and their
application of non-ordinary reality.
Shamanism, the oldest and most intertwined with the cultures in which it
is practiced, will be explored as a model for individual healing and
transformation and professional training.
The shamanic way will also be explored as a model of consciousness and a
world-view that offers individuals, groups, and society much needed coping
mechanisms, healing techniques, and transformative values that may be helpful
in dealing with this trying and important transition time for humanity. Imaginal therapies, meditation and hypnosis
all have their roots in shamanism, although in some parts of the world at
certain times in history, shamanism borrowed from meditation in its adaptation
and development.
A brief history of shamanism and the use of
the altered states of consciousness and imagination in healing, given in
Section One, Chapter Two, page 153, will serve as a foundation for an
exploration of ordinary and alternative consciousness. While consciousness in one form or another is
experienced by all humans at all times, it is presently little noticed,
understood, appreciated, and utilized by the layperson, psychotherapist,
hypnotherapist, academic, or researcher.
It is usually not considered a meaningful, let alone crucial, variable
in comprehending the human being and devising strategies for improving and
healing the human condition. A
particular type of consciousness, named the therapeutic state of consciousness
and based on the shamanic and meditative states of consciousness, will be
offered as an optimum consciousness for the psychotherapist, hypnotherapist,
and healer. This therapeutic state of
consciousness can serve as balance to the counterproductive effects of an
overly rational western society as well as model for a way of life in which the
scientific, intellectual mind is but one, albeit important, aspect of the whole
person.
Principles for training in the therapeutic
state of consciousness will be outlined and discussed along with guidelines for
implementing a personal training program in what will be called 21st
Century Therapy. A specific set of
experientially based techniques will be offered as a way to carry perception
and knowledge gained from the therapeutic state of consciousness into the
psychotherapist’s office.
[Note: this final section of what is my
Ph.D. dissertation is not available at this website. It is being developed as a book and can be
obtained from the author.]
I have personal experience with each of the
four modalities, allowing me to offer first hand knowledge, heart felt
examples, and hands on description of the phenomenology associated with each
discipline. In the interest of
relevancy, accuracy, depth, meaningfulness, and vitality, I have used myself as
the primary case study for this paper.
Table of Contents
Abstract...................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction............................................................................................................ 8
Section One -
Consciousness.................................................................... 19
Introduction to Section One........................................... 19
Ordinary State of
Consciousness
- Chapter One................................................................... 23
Rationality – The Primary Value.................................................................................. 23
“It feels good.”
A Secondary Value............................................................................ 26
Subpersonalities –Many “Little I’s”............................................................................... 29
Comparing Subpersonalities with
“Multiple Personality”.......................................... 32
“Runaway Bee Head” - A
personal example............................................................ 33
Subpersonalities – Separate
Identities? Ordinary or Altered
State of Consciousness?................................................................................................ 35
Exploring Aspects of the Self........................................................................................ 36
Expanding Boundaries of the Self................................................................................ 37
Complexities of Modeling
Consciousness................................................................... 39
Baseline State of Consciousness................................................................................... 42
Subsystems of Consciousness...................................................................................... 44
Transitioning into Alternative States of
Consciousness
- Chapter Two................................................................. 47
Developing an Altered State of Consciousness – A
Five Step Process.................. 50
1. Disruption
of the Existing State of Consciousness.............................................. 51
2. Patterning.................................................................................................................. 52
3. Transition................................................................................................................... 53
4.
Achievement of the Altered State.......................................................................... 54
5. Return to Ordinary
State of Consciousness.......................................................... 54
Categories of ASC Induction........................................................................................ 55
A.
Attentional absorption............................................................................................ 55
B. Rhythmic
and repetitive movements..................................................................... 56
C. Balancing
and harmonizing the muscles.............................................................. 56
E. Intensive
temperature conditions.......................................................................... 56
F. Physical
or sensory deprivation.............................................................................. 56
G.
Exhaustion................................................................................................................ 57
I.
Hallucinogens and the use of sacred plants.......................................................... 57
Sacred Plant Medicine and Hallucinogens................................................................... 58
Extreme Techniques....................................................................................................... 59
The Essential Transitioning Factor............................................................................... 60
Alternative States of Consciousness
- Chapter Three.............................................................. 65
Principles and Characteristics of Alternative States
of Consciousness................... 65
1. A
Naturally Occurring Human Experience............................................................ 65
2. Beyond the
“Laws of Nature”.................................................................................. 66
3. Unity
Consciousness and Wholistic Thinking....................................................... 67
4.
Self-referential Processing....................................................................................... 67
5.
Synchronicity............................................................................................................. 69
6. Occurs in
Various Situations................................................................................... 71
7. Important
Human Condition.................................................................................. 73
8. Deepens and Expands Individual Identity............................................................ 74
9. Value
Neutral............................................................................................................. 75
10. Omnipresence of Alternative State of
Consciousness Abilities........................ 76
11. Relative Importance of Technique, Mind Set, and
Environment..................... 77
The Phenomenological Experience of Alternative
States of Consciousness.......................................................................................... 77
1.
Attentional Absorption........................................................................................... 78
2.
Effortless Expression............................................................................................... 79
3.
Experiencing Rather Than Thinking..................................................................... 79
4. Greater Willingness
to Explore and Experiment................................................. 79
5. Time
Distortion........................................................................................................ 80
6.
Flexibility in Time and Space Orientation............................................................ 80
7. Altered
Sensory Perception and Involvement.................................................... 81
8.
Fluctuation in ASC Involvement........................................................................... 83
9.
Inhibition and/or Constancy of verbal and Motor Functioning........................ 85
10.
Alternative Logic..................................................................................................... 85
11. Literal
Interpretation while Entranced................................................................. 86
12. Described
Metaphorically During and After the Trance................................... 87
12.
Metaphorical Interpretation of ASC Experience after De-Induction............... 88
Individual Experience in Alternative States of
Consciousness
-
Chapter Four.................................................................. 89
Differential Experience in ASCs.................................................................................... 90
Individual Differences.................................................................................................... 93
Reference State............................................................................................................... 94
Mental and Consciousness Abilities............................................................................. 96
Projecting Mental and Consciousness Abilities on
Others..................................... 100
Characteristics for Evaluating and Comparing Altered
States
and
Transitioning Techniques................................................................................... 102
Models of Consciousness
- Chapter Five................................................................ 105
Eight Models of Consciousness.................................................................................. 105
1.
Shamanism—Lower, Middle, and Upper Worlds............................................... 105
2.
Erickson—Conscious and Unconscious............................................................... 106
3.
Sarbin—Role Playing............................................................................................. 106
4.
Assagioli’s Psychosynthesis.................................................................................. 106
5. Buddhist
Path of Concentration........................................................................... 107
6. Buddhist
Path of Insight........................................................................................ 108
7. Wilber’s
Spectrum of Consciousness................................................................... 108
8. Bailey’s
Constitution of Man.................................................................................. 109
Section Two -
Shamanism, Imaginal Therapy,
Hypnotherapy,
and Meditation............................................................................................. 111
Shamanism
-
Chapter One.................................................................. 113
Six Defining Principles of Shamanism...................................................................... 114
1. Ecstatic
Experience................................................................................................. 118
2. Memory of
Events in the Ecstasy......................................................................... 126
3. Mastery of
the Ecstatic Experience....................................................................... 128
4. Highly
Regarded and Utilized by Their Community......................................... 130
5. Natural,
Instinctual Unity Consciousness........................................................... 131
6. Illness,
Dismemberment, and Death in Training and Initiation..................... 133
Selection, Training, and Initiation............................................................................. 135
Lioness in my Study
- A personal experience....................................................... 137
Two Shamanic Initiation Self Reports....................................................................... 146
A Brief History of Imaginal Therapy in the
West
-
Chapter Two................................................................. 153
Asclepian Dream Temples in Greece........................................................................ 154
Jesus Christ and His Followers................................................................................... 160
Wise Women Healers (a.k.a. Witches)...................................................................... 162
Imaginative Healing Techniques in the Church....................................................... 165
The Use of Imagination by Other Healers............................................................... 166
Newton, Descartes, and a New World View............................................................. 169
Hypnosis: An
Attempt to Integrate Science and Imagination............................. 172
Contemporary Theories of Hypnosis and Hypnotic
Phenomenon....................... 177
Imaginal Therapy in Modern Western Society
-
Chapter Three.............................................................. 183
Comparing Modern Imaginal Techniques................................................................ 184
Technical Variations in the Psychotherapeutic Uses
of Imagery.......................... 185
Introducing the Imaginal Therapies of Jung,
Assagioli, and Holmquist............. 191
Imaginal Therapy and Shamanism Compared
-
Chapter Four................................................................ 197
A Summary................................................................................................................... 197
Whose Consciousness is “Altered”? Healer or Client............................................ 199
Magical Flight in Modern Psychotherapy.................................................................. 201