Meditation: when it comes to reaching an altered state of consciousness

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to reach an altered state of consciousness? To meditate, or even better, to succeed in doing it, is to experience a state of mind different from that of our daily life. But what is an altered state of consciousness? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Consciousness?

Although there is no single answer to this question, experts agree on a few things when it comes to mindfulness in meditation. First of all, it is important to understand that consciousness is not simply a state of wakefulness. Rather, it is a state of consciousness in which we are aware of our thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

In meditation, we strive to reach a state of consciousness in which we are aware of the present moment, without judgment or attachment. It can be a challenge at first, but with practice it becomes easier to maintain this state of awareness for long periods of time. Additionally, mindfulness in meditation can also help us become more aware of the thoughts and emotions that run through our minds on a daily basis. By paying attention to our thoughts and emotions without judgment, we can learn to let them go more easily and maintain a sense of calm and peace.

What about altered state of consciousness?

Altered state of consciousness or the term “altered state of consciousness” (ACE) describes any state of mind that differs significantly from a person’s normal waking state.

An altered state of consciousness is a temporary change made to a person’s normal mental state without being considered unconscious. Altered states of consciousness can be created intentionally, but they can also occur in other circumstances.

People often experience altered states of consciousness during activities such as meditation, prayer, hypnosis, sleep, and drug use. ACEs can also be induced by sensory deprivation or stimulation, extreme temperature changes, and near-death experiences. Whether certain altered states are associated with positive effects, such as feelings of euphoria or spiritual enlightenment. Others can have negative consequences, such as hallucinations or delusions. Despite the potential risks, many people seek altered states of consciousness in order to explore their inner world or expand their understanding of reality.

Why is it important to integrate meditation into our daily life?

Meditation dates back thousands of years. According to the Positive Psychology website, it is essentially a mind-entraining technique that is shown to be beneficial for psychological well-being.

According to the National Center for Complementary And Integrative Health (NIH), a US government agency, meditation can help people feel calm, relaxed, and mentally balanced.

It can also help people cope with illness and improve their overall health. Some studies suggest that meditation can lower blood pressure and reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, according to the NIH. It can also help with insomnia and relieve anxiety and depression.

How could meditation lead us to the altered state of consciousness?

There is no doubt that meditation has many benefits. It can help improve our mental and physical health, and can even increase our sense of well-being. But what if meditation could also help us achieve an altered state of consciousness? Some believe that meditation can open up a whole new world of experiences, and it can even lead to spiritual enlightenment.

There are many types of meditation, and each can produce different results. Some people manage to reach a state of deep relaxation. While others report having hallucinations or out of body experiences.

Overall, a quiet environment away from distractions such as television, radio and cell phones is a key part of meditation, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sit comfortably and focus your attention. You can focus on your breathing, on an object or an image. Or again, on a mantra, a repeated word or sound. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is this focus of attention that clears the mind of stressors and worry.

However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to meditation, and it’s important to find a method that works for you. If you want to explore the possibilities of meditation, why not give it a try?

What else does the research say about meditation?

A 2019 study from Michigan State University suggests that meditation can help people become aware of the present moment and treat symptoms of depression and other mental disorders.

The study, published in the journal Brain Sciences, took 200 people who had never meditated and gave them the experience for 20 minutes. The results claim that meditation can “improve the brain’s ability to detect and pay attention to errors,” the authors state.

Another study, published in the journal Psychological Reports in 2021 by Florida International University, links reduced mindfulness to emotional instability and “cognitive lapses.” Such as memory lapses, difficulty concentrating and mistakes made in routine activities.

Mindfulness is being aware of the present moment, including our thoughts and feelings, without judgment. According to a 2021 study published in the journal Mindfulness, meditation can also help us break problematic habits. It happens that certain habits can slow us down if our environment changes, since they are difficult to break, explains the neuroscience site PsyPost in its report of the study. This can cause us to make more mistakes.

A study of 73 adults by the University of Innsbruck, Austria found that people who meditate are better able to overcome automatic reactions to certain trigger events. Like checking their phone as soon as they get a notification, or procrastination, putting off tasks overnight for fear of failure or overwork.

* Presse Santé strives to transmit health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO CASE, the information given can not replace the advice of a health professional.

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Meditation: when it comes to reaching an altered state of consciousness


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