The Sources of Higher States of Consciousness
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2005 DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2005.24.1.48 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Consciousness |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key points | Argues that only mystical experiences arising from intensification of 'consciousness-energy' (ICE states), not those from homeostatic disruption (HD states), can become a fully integrated and permanent higher state of consciousness. |
Abstract
In this paper, it is argued that “higher states of consciousness”–or mystical experiences–have two main sources: they can be caused by a disruption of the normal homeostasis of the human organism and also by an intensification of the “consciousness-energy” that constitutes our being. (These are termed HD and ICE states). The author investigates examples of both types of experience, and compares and contrasts them. It is concluded that the second type of experience is the only one which is truly positive and which can become a fully integrated and permanent higher state of consciousness.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Circular Reasoning Is Not the Uroboros: Rejecting Perennialism as a Psychological Theory International Journal of Transpersonal Studies September 1, 2017
- Taylor’s Soft Perennialism: Psychology or New Age Spiritual Vision? International Journal of Transpersonal Studies September 1, 2017
- Politics and the numinous: evolution, spiritual emergency, and the re-emergence of transpersonal consciousness October 1, 2008