Spiritwatch Course Outline
- Theories of Altered and Higher States of Consciousness
- Nonlocal Consciousness: The New Physics
- Biological Basis for Altered and Higher States of Consciousness
- Meditation
- Sleep and Dreams: General Overview
- Consciousness in Sleep/Dreams
- Out-of-Body Experiences
- Near-Death Experiences
- Shamanism
- Clinical Relevance
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The major theoretical
perspectives of the character and development of consciousness
will be surveyed. A focus will be put on recent theories from
Transpersonal and Developmental psychologists discussing the
further reaches of human potential.
Nonlocal Consciousness: The New Physics
The effects of prayer and meditation on broader societal
behaviors will be surveyed from the perspective of quantum
physics which postulates that consciousness may be nonlocal.
Biological Basis for Altered and Higher
States of Consciousness:
Over 20 biological markers of the development of higher states of
consciousness have been scientifically identified. These will be
surveyed along with biological changes associated with altering
consciousness.
Meditation
To date over 2000 studies have been conducted on the effects of
meditation. Contrary to early criticisms it has been found that
meditation is not light sleep nor is it equivalent to eyes-closed
rest. The unique benefits of this practice will be discussed.
Sleep and Dreams: General Overview
This will be a brief overview of research on sleep and dreams
with an emphasis on dreaming. The centrality of dreaming for
information processing and memory consolidation will be discussed
as well as its unique usefulness in deepening self awareness.
Consciousness in Sleep/Dreams
Central to the development of higher states of consciousness is
awareness of sleeping and dreaming while it is ongoing. This has
been called lucid/witnessing dreaming. The research on these
scientifically validated paradoxical states of mind will be
presented.
Out-of-Body Experiences
Related to dream lucidity is the out-of-body experience (OBE).
Recent work in cognitive psychology has shown that our view of
reality is simply a mental mode. This will be applied to the
concept of the OBE while maintaining the personal significance of
such experiences.
Near-Death Experiences
Although the body of research on near-death experiences (NDE) has
identified many of the psychological and biological concomitants
of these powerful experiences, their felt meaning and importance
is not only reducible to its component parts. Again a survey of
the research helps us to understand without minimizing.
Shamanism
The states of consciousness traditionally attained by shamanic
practitioners of the world's indigenous peoples are similar, if
not the same, as those surveyed in this course. This work will be
discussed.
Clinical Relevance
As more and more westerners have become involved in practices
which facilitate altered and higher states of consciousness
experiences "spiritual emergencies" have occurred.
Those interested in these states need to be aware of when such
experiences can go wrong and the potential life
changing/devastating consequences of such experiences.