1. Altered states of consciousness
Chapter 5

2. introduction
Altered states of consciousness are mental states that are different from normal states
Frequently used in religious rituals
The definition of this is subjective and varies by culture

3. characteristics
Altered states of thinking: changes in concentration, attention, or memory
Disturbed time: acceleration or slowing of time
Loss of control: feeling helpless, give control up to spirits
Change of emotions: sudden changes of emotional extremes

5. characteristics
Change in body image: blurring of body and mind; parts of the body swell or shrink; out of body experience
Perceptual distortions: hallucinations, heightened senses
Change in meaning: increased significance in experiences
Sense of ineffable: cannot communicate to someone not in the same state
Rejuvenation: sense of hope, rebirth; confidence in religious specialists

6. Factors that cause asc
Reduction of stimulation or repetitive stimulation:
Solitary confinement, sleep
Sensory overload or strenuous activity:
Spirit possession, trances

7. Increased and sustained mental alertness:
Prolonged concentration on a specific task
Decreased alertness or passive mind:
Meditation, daydreaming, relaxation
Alterations in body chemistry:
Fasting, dehydration, sleep deprivation, drugs
Sweat lodge

8. fasting
Involves abstaining from food and/or drink or other activities (sex)
Alters body chemistry
Usually only for short period of time or parts of each day
Can be seen as a:
Form of discipline
Form of training
Cleansing ritual

9. fasting Old and New Testaments:
Moses and Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights
Jewish practice of Yom Kippur:
Day of Atonement, fast from sunset to sunset next day
Catholic and Orthodox Churches:
Fasting from certain foods
Islamic practice of Ramadan:
Abstain from food, drink, sex, smoking from sunup to sundown for one month

10. Sacred pain Pain can also lead to ASC Pain may be
Punishment (Eve, Hindu bad karma)
Purifying (Monks who whip themselves)
A weapon (Christ’s pain on cross)
Source of supernatural power (exorcism)

11. Sacred pain
Pain can happen during a trance or without an altered state

12. Sacred pain
People often share religious pain, but it can be individualistic
Example is stigmata, or marks on the body that correspond to Jesus’ wounds

13. Sacred pain

14. Sacred pain Other examples of inflicting religious pain:
Piercing tongue, face, genitals
Pulling string with thorns through these wounds
Can also be associated with rites of passage
Remember the ant initiation?
Tattooing, scarification, piercing, circumcision all show that the person can withstand intense pain
Intense prolonged pain can lead to euphoria or as healing

15. Sacred pain Video Log: Sacred Pain

16. Biological Basis What is occurring in the brain during ASC?
Some scientists believe that religious visions are really hallucinations from migraines
Nun Hildegard in the 1100s
Studies have shown that fast rhythmic behavior affects the sympathetic system and may shut the brain down
One specific part, orientation association structure, blurs the boundaries of the body and other objects, leading to a unitary state

17. Biological Basis

18. Are these visions biological or spiritual. Can they be both
Are these visions biological or spiritual? Can they be both? How do you tell them apart?

19. Drug-induced Altered States
Many cultures use drugs to achieve ASC
An example is the use of peyote in the Native American Church
These drugs help the people contact supernatural powers

20. Drug-induced Altered States
Category
Examples
Effects
Euphoria
Morphine, Heroin
Reduces brain activity and leads to euphoric feeling
Phantastica
Marijuana, Peyote
Causes hallucinations, delirium, visions
Inebriantia
Alcohol
Intoxicates, brings about cerebral excitation followed by depression
Hypnotica
Xanax
Sedates, kills pain
Excitania
Coffee, Tobacco, Cocaine
Stimulates
Tranquilizer
Valium
Reduces anxiety and produces mental calm

21. Drug-induced altered states
The ritual setting is important
There is a difference between recreational and ritual drug use
Ritual drug use is done at certain times and with certain rules; addiction usually does not follow

22. Remember the article on Native American Healing; it also discusses ASC

23. Ethnographic examples
1. Holiness Churches
Independent churches in Appalachia (West Virginia)
Use concentrated, intense prayer and music to enter into ASC (no drugs)
Speak in tongues, enter trances
Interpret this as being filled with Holy Spirit
Handle snakes and drink poison

24. Ethnographic examples
2. San Healing Rituals
!Kung (Kalahari Desert, South Africa)
Believe that an energy (n/um), given to them by the gods, lives in their spine
As they experience !kia the energy moves up the spine to the brain
Bring this state about by dancing to singers
When they are in this state they can heal others (pull sickness out of person)

25. Ethnographic examples
Rastafarians
Afro-Caribbean religions that sees former emperor of Ethiopia as messiah
Connect with Israelites in the Old Testament
Want to repatriate black people to Africa
Reject Western consumerism and want healthy lifestyle
No chemicals, don’t cut hair (dreadlocks), herbal remedies
Smoke ganga, or marijuana, as “holy herb”
Cite references from Bible

27. assignment Read article “Trance and Possession”
Answer the questions in groups
Due at end of class