Chronos vs Kairos - The Perception of Time in Near-Death Experiences, Mystical States of Consciousness, and Psychedelic-Induced States of Consciousness
Preprints.org July 16, 2024 preprint DOI: 10.20944/preprints202407.1213.v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mystical experience Near-death experience |
| Key points | Argues that the experience of time is influenced not only by the observer's frame of reference but also by their state of consciousness, and proposes a distinction between Chronos (fourth-dimensional time) and Kairos (fifth-dimensional time). The paper discusses methods for facilitating Kairos experiences and reviews their potential benefits, drawing on near-death experiences, mystical states, and psychedelic medicine-induced states. |
Abstract
Time can be a difficult concept to understand. Albert Einstein, who viewed time as an illusion, explained the passage of time is relative to the observer’s frame of reference in the space-time continuum. However, the state of consciousness of the observer also influences the passage of time. This paper examines the relationship between the experience of time and different states of consciousness including near-death experiences, mystical states of consciousness, and psychedelic medicine-induced states of consciousness. Two different experiences of time are described. These are Chronos and Kairos. Chronos is described as 4th dimensional time whereas Kairos is 5th dimension time. Methods for facilitating the experience of Kairos are discussed and the potential benefits of experiencing Kairos are reviewed.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otherworld Journeys: Accounts of Near-Death Experience in Medieval and Modern Times | 1987 | Historical analysis | |
| Neuroscience and the Near-Death Experience: Roles for the NMSA-PCP receptor, the sigma receptor and the endopsychosins | 1990 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Implications of near-death experiences for a postmaterialist psychology. | 2010 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Near-Death Experience as a Probe to Explore (Disconnected) Consciousness | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Near-death experiences between science and prejudice | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study PLoS One August 19, 2013
- Classic Hallucinogens and Mystical Experiences: Phenomenology and Neural Correlates. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2018
- Exploring the effect of microdosing psychedelics on creativity in an open-label natural setting Psychopharmacology October 24, 2018
- Ayahuasca and cancer treatment SAGE Open Medicine 2013
and 1 more in the library