The adoption of Holistic science could be vital in creating innovative treatments in mental health, whilst helping to construct regenerative ecological models for human society. Todays dominant ideologies, and the world view that arises from them are are now becoming recognised as key factors in the onset of poor mental health. Capital oriented, nature-obsolescent societies not only damage the Earth, but also our mind and spirit. Can alternative modes of enquiry, such as new psychedelic science provide insight and answers into the human mystery?
Bridging the gap between science and spirituality, is the study of consciousness. Spiritual crisis, a term created by the founder of Transpersonal psychology Stanislav Grof, refers to the challenging experiences that can occur when one is on the edges/frontiers of consciousness. New scientific insight, combined with spiritual practise, could help people to integrate and understand these frontier experiences. In so doing, transforming them into valuable healing and learning opportunities.
The term Holotropic (meaning 'oriented towards wholeness') ,describes a dimension of consciousness that can be profoundly healing and transformative. Utilisation of these states may help us integrate the knowledge gained in other fields of study such as Quantum Physics; turning information, into practical and applicable wisdom. An important step in the development of human understanding is synthesis. Our ability to discover new information is profound, but learning to unify that information in a trans-disciplinary manner, creating harmonising-emergent-understanding is what comes next.
The whole is greater than the sum of the parts - Aristotle
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Support independent eco journalism that drives real change.The most difficult forms of consciousness, such as poor mental health, nightmares, or psychedelic journeys. Confront us with challenging and unusual experiences. Without the necessary support and guidance a person may be at risk of overwhelm, or an inability to positively integrate their experience. Insights attained by spiritual seekers over millennia can be effective in dissolving these difficult experiences, and assist in their integration.
Spiritual practice (e.g meditation) has often been key in developing a persons capacity for self-understanding and mindfulness. Through this understanding, we can mobilise and transform unhelpful states such as fear. For example, understanding emptiness, a teaching from Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy. Can help us overcome negative interpretations and projections that turn a potentiality, into something upsetting, amplified, and fearful.
The theory of emptiness…is the deep recognition that there is a fundamental disparity between the way we perceive the world, including our own existence in it, and the way things actually are. ― Dalia Lama
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This distorted perception is partly caused by our projections. The Quantum mechanics of subject-object co-creation, teach us when we experience something as frightening (especially in subtler realms of consciousness), it is our observation in exchange with the object that gives it these qualities. Dynamics such as this mould our experience in non-ordinary states of consciousness, but also affect the embodied reality of our lives.
Consciousness and the Climate
Recognising ourselves as co-creators of reality endows us with a profound responsibility. Knowing we create the world with both our minds and actions, our role as custodians of the planet becomes more apparent. It is not necessarily the experience in non-ordinary states that is most essential, but rather how we integrate and apply what we have learned. Only then can it become embodied and meaningful.
The climate crisis could be viewed as a collective spiritual crisis; a deep inner initiation so that we may avoid outer catastrophe. Personal experience of crisis and its resolution, could provide insight into how we can heal and transform consciousness on a collective level. The power of Holotropic states to reconnect us with Earth and heal the mind, may help dissolve our current ecocide society, guiding culture in a way that respects and reveres nature.
Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth. ― Rumi
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The pioneering work of Rick Doblin at MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), is beginning to show the unparalleled efficacy of non-ordinary states and psychedelics in healing mental illness, as well as expanding consciousness. MAPS are currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials for FDA approval of MDMA as a treatment for PTSD; with Psilocybin and Ketamine as treatments for depression following suit. In Rick's words we are in race between 'consciousness and catastrophe'. Thus, understanding the nature of Holotropic and psychedelic experience is becoming ever more important.
An ironic narrative that surrounds Psychedelics, is the archetypal fear of ‘madness’. Much of which stems from the fierce propaganda regimes of the 70’s and continues to this day. No doubt, there are risks involved with any unassisted and unguided use of powerful psychedelic tools. Especially when used recreationally and without the necessary information. The irony is found in how psychedelic states can help people recognise their deep unity with the natural world. Experiences such as merging with Earth or Cosmos are not uncommon. Through this, attitudes towards the Planet can change and the long-excepted model of colonisation and extraction becomes recognised as the true madness.
“The transpersonal experiences revealing the Earth as an intelligent, conscious entity are corroborated by scientific evidence." ― Stanislav Grof
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A Conscious Society
Gaining deeper understanding of the nature of non-ordinary states will become ever more important as we move into the psychedelic society beginning to re-emerge. This is not the first appearance of a Psychedelic Society in human culture, as documented by Brian C. Muraresku, in the best selling book The Immortality Key . Some Scholars suggest nearly all the worlds great religions originated from the use of non-ordinary states and Psychedelics.
A reoccurring theme present in any significant change, whether that be psychological, spiritual, or societal, is death and rebirth. For the new to arise the old must fall away. This does not mean the old has be 'destroyed', but rather reconfigured in new high order synthesis, or, viewed from a new perspective that naturally causes a change to take place. The uncertainty of current human affairs draws the death-rebirth process into question. If we are to be reborn into a sustainable and conscious society, everything that is unsustainable and unconscious must be left behind. This in truth, is a large portion of our socio-political-economic systems.
Satish Kumar, founder of Schumacher college, Resurgence and Ecologist , and world renowned activist. Speaks of three essential elements for a successful movement. Namely protest, protect, and build. One must protest against injustice, protect that which is valuable, and build what is required. These principle can be applied to our inner and outer lives, as attention must be given to both if we are to create a truly conscious society.
As stated in the ancient Chinese book of wisdom, the I Ching:
'Change in the inner world must proceed change in the outer world'
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Through holistic scientific enquiry, self-mastery of non-ordinary states, the withdrawal of psychic projections, and utilisation of transpersonal dimensions of reality. Combined with a movement into stillness, oneness, and balance that often comes through spiritual realisation. People can be guided out of difficult psycho-spiritual states, improve personal mental health, transcend collective Ecocide, and help co-create a regenerative world.
For people experiencing spiritual crisis, or difficult psychedelic experience, help can be found at https://maps.org/resources .
