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Altered Consciousness Is A Many Splendored Thing

Cardeña, Etzel LU orcid (2011) In Journal of Cosmology 14. p.4781-4791
Abstract
Contrary to the notion that altering our ordinary state of consciousness
necessarily produces delusional beliefs and is generally deleterious, various
findings in psychology and other disciplines suggest that 1) the ordinary state
of consciousness does not provide an accurate mapping of reality and 2) alterations
of consciousness can have various positive functions. Among the
most important ones are to: a) mildly alter our consciousness to be more effective
at our tasks, b) obtain greater pleasure than we can achieve ordinarily, 3)
explore nonfactual possibilities that may be actualized through creative ways,
4) enhance the sense of meaningfulness in life and enhance psychological and
medical healing,... (More)
Contrary to the notion that altering our ordinary state of consciousness
necessarily produces delusional beliefs and is generally deleterious, various
findings in psychology and other disciplines suggest that 1) the ordinary state
of consciousness does not provide an accurate mapping of reality and 2) alterations
of consciousness can have various positive functions. Among the
most important ones are to: a) mildly alter our consciousness to be more effective
at our tasks, b) obtain greater pleasure than we can achieve ordinarily, 3)
explore nonfactual possibilities that may be actualized through creative ways,
4) enhance the sense of meaningfulness in life and enhance psychological and
medical healing, and 5) obtain valid knowledge to comprehend better ourselves
and perhaps the universe at large. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Altered states of consciousness, anomalous experiences
in
Journal of Cosmology
volume
14
pages
4781 - 4791
publisher
Cosmology Science Publishers
ISSN
2159-063X
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
27ba59d4-5945-4b2a-bf07-2edd1b998473
alternative location
http://journalofcosmology.com/Consciousness150.html
date added to LUP
2017-07-14 13:13:42
date last changed
2021-04-22 02:26:20
@article{27ba59d4-5945-4b2a-bf07-2edd1b998473,
  abstract     = {{Contrary to the notion that altering our ordinary state of consciousness<br/>necessarily produces delusional beliefs and is generally deleterious, various<br/>findings in psychology and other disciplines suggest that 1) the ordinary state<br/>of consciousness does not provide an accurate mapping of reality and 2) alterations<br/>of consciousness can have various positive functions. Among the<br/>most important ones are to: a) mildly alter our consciousness to be more effective<br/>at our tasks, b) obtain greater pleasure than we can achieve ordinarily, 3)<br/>explore nonfactual possibilities that may be actualized through creative ways,<br/>4) enhance the sense of meaningfulness in life and enhance psychological and<br/>medical healing, and 5) obtain valid knowledge to comprehend better ourselves<br/>and perhaps the universe at large.}},
  author       = {{Cardeña, Etzel}},
  issn         = {{2159-063X}},
  keywords     = {{Altered states of consciousness; anomalous experiences}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{4781--4791}},
  publisher    = {{Cosmology Science Publishers}},
  series       = {{Journal of Cosmology}},
  title        = {{Altered Consciousness Is A Many Splendored Thing}},
  url          = {{http://journalofcosmology.com/Consciousness150.html}},
  volume       = {{14}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}