A mental state in which alpha brain waves are especially active. Occurring naturally when waking up, altered states may be unnaturally induced by oxygen deprivation, psychoactive drug use, severe trauma, starvation, visualization, or meditation.
Virtually all branches of mysticism use mind-emptying mantras, measured breathing, self abuse, or drugs to artificially induce altered states of consciousness. The ritual appears to open a gateway to the spirit world and may create an experience called “spiritual ecstasy” or “union with the divine.”
Related practices: contemplative prayer, centering prayer, hesychaste prayer, breath prayer, mantra, chant, saying the rosary, dkhir, dhyana.
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