Etats modifiés de conscience

The term "altered state of consciousness" refers to any state of consciousness that differs from the so-called normal “aware” state. This altered state can be sought - which is the case in relaxation, meditation, hypnosis, etc… - or could even be involuntary and spectacular: premonitory dreams, mediumship states, out of body experiences, experiences of imminent death… The person experiencing an altered state of consciousness (ASC) often finds himself isolated and in disarray because our society ignores or denies the reality of such facts. Moreover, the scientific and medical community is uninterested in them or refer to them as mere fabrication. To combat this received wisdom, the authors of this book have listened to many testimonies, which they present to us. They ask questions and propose hypotheses. Why are certain people more prone to experiencing such phenomena than others? Is there a predisposition and if so, what is it? Why live one experience more than another? A negative experience rather than a positive one? Having explored the main categories of ASC, the authors focus on related scientific knowledge. Then they consider the consequences of ASC on those who undergo this process. Do these experiences lead to a real transformation of the being? Can they lead to psychological imbalances? Many episodes of ASC, because they transcend time, space and the ego, constitute an opening up to the spiritual. What distinguishes mystic experience from transcendental experience? Consciousness is an enigma. This book sheds precious light on these different facets.