Altered States of Consciousness

At A Glance: Altered States of Consciousness

(excerpted from Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs,John Ankerberg, John Weldon, Harvest House, 1996)

Description: Altered states of consciousness (ASCs) in a New Age context comprise unusual conditions of perception achieved by the deliberate cultivation of often abnormal mental states, states not normally experienced apart from specific religious techniques and/ or occult programs.

Founder: Not applicable.

How does it claim to work? Most New Age practices or techniques (e.g. yoga, medi­tation, crystal work), and New Age supernatural experiences (e.g. channeling) generally claim to trigger or induce ASCs by stilling the mind, regulating psychic energy, or by volun­tary spirit possession. Proponents believe these altered states of consciousness produce a “higher” and/or monistic state of consciousness or “being” (e.g. the perception that “all is one”) leading to dramatic spiritual revelations and a positive restructuring of the participant’s worldview.

Scientific evaluation: Science cannot evaluate subjective claims concerning any state of consciousness and ASCs in particular are highly subjective. Research into altered states generally includes a mixture of the scientific investigation of normal, marginally altered consciousness (the sleep-state, dreams) and occult and parapsychological explora­tion of mystical, occult states.

Examples of occult potential: Spirit contact or possession; development of psychic abilities; conversion to occultism; psychic quickening or regeneration.

Major problems: Frequent connection to occult practices; dramatic alterations in one’s worldview which often insulate a person against biblical truth.

Biblical/Christian evaluation: New Age ASCs are prohibited on the basis of their occult alliances.

Potential dangers: Mental illness, occult bondage, spirit possession.