Abstract

Introduction

Section  One  -  Consciousness

Introduction to Section One

Ordinary State of Consciousness  - Chapter One

Rationality – The Primary Value

“It feels good.”  A Secondary Value.

Subpersonalities –Many “Little I’s”

Comparing Subpersonalities with “Multiple Personality”

“Runaway Bee Head”  -  A personal example

Subpersonalities – Separate Identities? Ordinary or Altered State of Consciousness?

Exploring Aspects of the Self

Expanding Boundaries of the Self

Complexities of Modeling Consciousness

Baseline State of Consciousness

Subsystems of Consciousness

Transitioning into Alternative States of Consciousness  -  Chapter Two

Developing an Altered State of Consciousness – A Five Step Process

1.  Disruption of the Existing State of Consciousness

2.  Patterning

3.  Transition

4.  Achievement of the Altered State

5.  Return to Ordinary State of Consciousness

Categories of ASC Induction

A.  Attentional absorption.

B.  Rhythmic and repetitive movements.

C.  Balancing and harmonizing the muscles.

E.  Intensive temperature conditions.

F.  Physical or sensory deprivation.

G.  Exhaustion.

I.  Hallucinogens and the use of sacred plants.

Sacred Plant Medicine and Hallucinogens

Extreme Techniques

The Essential Transitioning Factor

Wordsworth (1952), pp. 321-322

Alternative States of Consciousness   -  Chapter Three

Principles and Characteristics of Alternative States of Consciousness

1.  A Naturally Occurring Human Experience

2.  Beyond the “Laws of Nature”

3.  Unity Consciousness and Wholistic Thinking

4.  Self-referential Processing

5.  Synchronicity

6.  Occurs in Various Situations

7.  Important Human Condition

8.  Deepens and Expands Individual Identity

9.  Value Neutral

10. Omnipresence of Alternative State of Consciousness Abilities

11. Relative Importance of Technique, Mind Set, and Environment

The Phenomenological Experience of Alternative States of Consciousness

1.   Attentional Absorption

2.   Effortless Expression

3.   Experiencing Rather Than Thinking

4.   Greater Willingness to Explore and Experiment

5.   Time Distortion

6.   Flexibility in Time and Space Orientation

7.   Altered Sensory Perception and Involvement

8.   Fluctuation in ASC Involvement

9.   Inhibition and/or Constancy of verbal and Motor Functioning

10.  Alternative Logic

11.  Literal Interpretation while Entranced

12.  Described Metaphorically During and After the Trance

12.  Metaphorical Interpretation of ASC Experience after De-Induction

Individual Experience in Alternative States of Consciousness  -  Chapter Four

Differential Experience in ASCs

Individual Differences

Reference State

Mental and Consciousness Abilities

Projecting Mental and Consciousness Abilities on Others

Characteristics for Evaluating and Comparing Altered States and Transitioning Techniques

Models of Consciousness  -  Chapter Five

Eight Models of Consciousness

1.  Shamanism—Lower, Middle, and Upper Worlds

2.  Erickson—Conscious and Unconscious

3.  Sarbin—Role Playing

4.  Assagioli’s Psychosynthesis

5.  Buddhist Path of Concentration

6.  Buddhist Path of Insight

7.  Wilber’s Spectrum of Consciousness

8.  Bailey’s Constitution of Man

Section Two  -  Shamanism, Imaginal Therapy, Hypnotherapy, and Meditation

Shamanism  -  Chapter One

Six Defining Principles of Shamanism

1.  Ecstatic Experience

2.  Memory of Events in the Ecstasy

3.  Mastery of the Ecstatic Experience

4.  Highly Regarded and Utilized by Their Community

5.  Natural, Instinctual Unity Consciousness

6.  Illness, Dismemberment, and Death in Training and Initiation

Selection, Training, and Initiation

Lioness in my Study  -  A personal experience

Two Shamanic Initiation Self Reports

A Brief History of Imaginal Therapy in the West  -  Chapter Two

Asclepian Dream Temples in Greece

Jesus Christ and His Followers

Wise Women Healers (a.k.a. Witches)

Imaginative Healing Techniques in the Church

The Use of Imagination by Other Healers

Newton, Descartes, and a New World View

Hypnosis:  An Attempt to Integrate Science and Imagination

Contemporary Theories of Hypnosis and Hypnotic Phenomenon

Imaginal Therapy in Modern Western Society  -  Chapter Three

Comparing Modern Imaginal Techniques

Technical Variations in the Psychotherapeutic Uses of Imagery

Introducing the Imaginal Therapies of Jung, Assagioli, and Holmquist

Imaginal Therapy and Shamanism Compared  -  Chapter Four

A Summary

Whose Consciousness is “Altered”?  Healer or Client.

Magical Flight in Modern Psychotherapy

Identification with Spirit Allies

The Setting of the Imaginal Experience

Induction Methods and the Perception and Evaluation of Imaginal Content

Goals of Treatment

Integration of Waking Life and Imaginal Experiences

Conceptualization and Utilization of Duality and Opposition

Hypnotherapy  -  Chapter Five

Defining Hypnosis

Notable Contributions by Contemporary Theories of Trance

A Typical, Traditional Hypnotic Induction

Characteristics Associated with the Hypnotic Trance

Ericksonian Conceptualization and Utilization of Trance

Huxley and Erickson Explore Alternative States of Consciousness

Hypnotherapy and Shamanism Compared  -  Chapter Six

A Summary

Suggestibility

Trance Experience: Real or Hallucinatory

Experience In, and Depth of, Trance

Purpose and Goals

Value of Theory and Analysis

Meditation  -  Chapter Seven

Formulations and Techniques

Concentrative Meditation

Opening-Up Meditation

Reflective Meditation

Receptive Meditation

Creative Meditation

Healing Meditation

Walking Meditation

Invocation

Esoteric Meditation – A Synthesis

Powers of Mind and Alternative Consciousness

Working with Personal Problems

Purpose and Goals

Meditation and Shamanism Compared  -  Chapter Eight

A Summary

Shared Experience of a Unity That Underlies All Forms and Appearances

Relationship with Duality

Masculine and Feminine

Good and Evil

Human and Animal Consciousness

Synthesis of Instinct, Intellect, and Consciousness Unity

Dismemberment Imagery and Experience

Spirit Possession and Overshadowing

Chakras, Planes, and Subplanes

Activity Level and Imaginal Content

Relationship to Imaginal Content: Real or Not

Symptom Change, Exploration, and/or Expansion

Goals and Connection to the Everyday World

Complementarity

Section Three - The Therapeutic State of Consciousness  (TSC)

Are Two or More Discrete Concurrent Awarenesses Possible?  Is This Dual Consciousness?

The Witness

Differential Awareness of the Psychotherapist

Alternative States of Consciousness

Applicable Intellectual Knowledge

Thoughts, Feelings, and Physical Sensations

Appropriate Registration and Possible Sharing of Therapist Images

Wise Verbal Communication with Client

Summary

Necessary Fluidity in Consciousness Theory, Modeling, Research, and Experience

Epilogue

Future Exploration and Research

An Initiation Song

A Blessing

Bibliography