The Altered State of Consciousness

and the Spiritual Experience

By Kyle A. Scarsella

Physicalists assert that the only existing substance is physical and that all events can be
physically reduced. Dualist philosophers argue against this claim by using the concept of qualia
and the idea of the subjective experience. This concept of subjective experience can be broken
down into one’s individual perception, view, and understanding of any particular event. As many
philosophers have pointed out in the past, it is very possible for two individuals to look at the
same object or participate in the same event, yet have very different experiences. One of the
main factors that can have an effect on an individual’s subject experience is their current state of
consciousness. An altered state of consciousness can have a profound effect on how one
interprets each individual experience. It is these altered states of consciousness that can be used
to solidify the existence of mental states while debunking the concept of physicalism.

An altered state of consciousness can be defined as “any mental state, induced by various
physiological, psychological, or pharmacological maneuvers or agents, which can be recognized
subjectively by the individual himself (or by an objective observer of an individual) as
representing a sufficient deviation in subjective experience or psychological functioning from
certain general norms for that individual during alert, waking consciousness” (Ludwig 9-10).
There are many ways in which one can enter an altered mind state. Albert Garcia-Romeu and
Charles Tart point out “the study of altered states has branched out to include a wide variety of
experiences ranging from hypnosis, trance, dreaming, and meditation, to mystical and
transcendent experiences, intoxication due to psychedelics or other substances, as well as out of
body, near death, and other anomalous experiences. What might such diverse states have in
common? Their main distinguishing feature is that they represent classes of experience in which
subjects feel a marked qualitative distinction or alteration from their normal waking
consciousness” (122).
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The idea of altering one’s consciousness and creating a unique subjective experience has
been around longer than recorded history. “While prehistoric peoples by definition left no written
records of their daily existence, artifacts such as cave paintings offer fascinating insight into the
lives and minds of Paleolithic and Neolithic humans. Drawing on the neuropsychology of visual
imagery in altered states, and anthropological data from contemporary communities that practice
cave painting, it is suggested that early cave paintings (ca 15,000 years ago) were heavily
influenced by imagery related to altered states” (Garcia-Romeu and Tart 124). Theorists have
speculated that mind altering plants and mushrooms were the primary substances used in the
early periods of history.

The most significant and meaningful reason one undergoes an altered state of mind is for
enlightenment and insight into a deeper level of consciousness. This intentional mind altering
experience is usually done because of one’s spiritual or religious beliefs. This direct experience,
when used in proper spiritual and mystical context can provide an individual with profound
images, visions, insights, and answers, thus giving this subjective experience a more specific title
known as a Spiritual Experience. It is these direct Spiritual Experiences that my argument
against physicalism and my thoughts on the answers to consciousness will focus on.

The Spiritual Experience

Author and experienced researcher Dr. Martin Ball claims “direct Spiritual Experience is
the most intimate aspect of our religious or spiritual freedom. In the ancient world, ecstatic states
of consciousness were central to the religious and spiritual traditions of Europe and the
Mediterranean” (15-17). These Spiritual Experiences have been used by different civilizations to
help one seek understanding and truth. Although these experiences may cause stimulation on
specific parts of the brain, it is clear that the experience itself is more than just specific brain
states triggering off. These Spiritual Experiences include many aspects that are completely
incapable of being physically reduced.

William James, a psychologist and philosopher developed specific characteristics in

which he believed an individual’s Spiritual, or Mystical Experience must include. His first claim
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is that the experience must be temporary. The individual must return to a normal state of mind
after the experience. Usually the experience is quick; not lasting more than a few hours before
the individual begins his journey back to what is known as normal reality and perception. James
also believes that for the experience to be considered spiritual, it cannot adequately be put into
words by the undergoing individual. Because the experience is considered to be above that of
normal understanding, one may have trouble using language and correct semantics to properly
elaborate on their spiritual experience. He also states that one must learn something valuable
from their experience. This valuable wisdom and knowledge that is gained by the experience
could be used to help those in need (279-282). All of James’s characteristics seem to have great
similarities with the documented themes of those who have undergone Spiritual Experiences.

An individual can undergo a Spiritual Experience in more than one way. One of the most
well known ways, which has been adopted by many Eastern religions, is the use of meditative
practices. These meditation practices can be used to create a deeper mind state than that of
normal perception. Hinduism adopts the idea of meditation, or yoga, in its religious beliefs, and
its use is essential to reach the ultimate goal of life, or moksha. Buddhism is a religion where its
whole foundation stood on the idea of one man, Siddhartha Gautama, awakening from normal
reality or consciousness, and entering an altered, deeper mind state to help others seek true
enlightenment and understanding. “The development of yoga and meditative practices within
Hinduism and early Buddhism dates back to at least 400 BCE” (Shear 139). Also, Martin Ball
points out the East’s emphasis on the subjective experience and how their view may differ from
that of the West. “Because consciousness was seen to be fundamental in the East, primacy was
placed on direct exploration of consciousness in order to understand its true nature, not as an
object of knowledge, but as the most fundamental experience of reality” (107).

However, it is more than just the practice of meditation that can be used to reach altered
states of consciousness and to encounter a direct Spiritual Experience. Other ways in which one
can achieve a Spiritual Experience are through rituals involving the use of praying, music, dance,
extreme pain, and possibly most importantly, entheogenic substances. Entheogens are naturally
occurring psychoactive substances used in religious, shamanic, or spiritual context. Entheogens
have been used in a ritualized context for thousands of years and are very well established in
common indigenous religious practices. “In ancient Greece and Egypt, mystery traditions made
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use of vision-inducing plants for hundreds, if not thousands, of years” (Ball 17). Many believe
that it is with the use of entheogens that one can reach the deepest levels of consciousness, thus
learning new mental capacities of human understanding. All entheogenic forms are found in
naturally occurring substances like plants, fungi, and animals.

An interesting side note is the relationship between dimethyltryptamine (DMT), possibly

the most powerful entheogenic substance, and the dated theories of dualist Rene Descartes.
Descartes strongly believed it was the pineal gland that was the centerpiece of interaction
between the mental and physical aspects. He believed this gland was the seat of the soul and
held the responsibility of connecting the physical and mental aspects that create each individual
(“Passions of the Soul” 10-23). In recent years, these beliefs have been constantly overlooked
and considered inadequate as new developments occur and philosophers continue to establish
their own more current theories. However, it is important to note that recently it has been
discovered that human beings, like many other animals, plants, and fungi, have an entheogenic
compound (DMT) flowing through our very own brain and body. Scientists and researchers have
been speculating where in the body this psychoactive substance could possibly be created and
stored. Dr. Rick Strassman speculates that it is in fact the pineal gland that produces DMT in the
human brain. He goes on to suggest that the pineal gland is responsible for DMT production
because the enzymatic material needed to produce DMT is found there in “substantially greater
concentrations” than in any other part of the body (66-85). If proven true, then the pineal gland,
just as Descartes claimed back in the 1600’s, could in fact be the main location in which the
body has the ability to create mental events and experiences. This would give a new appreciation
to the thoughts and beliefs of Descartes and give further evidence to the existence of mental
events and states.

It is not the actual entheogenic substance, such as DMT, itself that is the mental event. It
is the qualia that the substance helps each individual create that stands as the mental aspect.
These substances create qualia that is substantially insightful, informative, and unique. It is
under these altered states of consciousness that one may be better suited to understand the mental
aspect and be better aware of its existence. “From a phenomenological view, each of us is the
center of the universe, for everything we know and experience occurs solely through our own
private consciousness. All experience is subjective and we each are the center of our own
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experience of the universe and all that it contains. We cannot truly talk about a universe outside
of our consciousness, for it is only through our consciousness that we are able to know or
experience anything at all. Our consciousness is the most fundamental fact of our existence”
(Ball 106).

The Fallacies of Physicalism

There have been thousands of documented Spiritual Experiences, some undergone at the
same time, others triggered by the same substances, and even some experienced spontaneously
by other means. Yet each individual’s subject experience is always unique to that specific
individual. In other words, although the physical aspects of each experience may be identical,
like the stimulation of areas X and Y in the brain, it is the visions, images, revelations, and
insight that one experiences that will never be identical to that of which another experiences.

A. The Identity Theory and the Forgotten Qualia

The Identity Theory is one form of physicalism famously argued by philosopher Ullin
Place. The theory argues that mental states are identical to internal brain states. A feeling, urge,
or sensation is nothing more than a specific triggering in the brain. According to this theory, all
mental events can be physically reduced and traced back to neuron and brain activity (55-60).

If mental state M is identical to brain state B, then the opposite must also be true. This
means that brain state B must also be identical to mental state M. If this is true then it would be
safe to say that someone undergoing an entheogenic induced state of consciousness (the mental
state) is simply just experiencing the stimulation of X and Y parts of the brain (the brain state). If
this stands correct, then it is safe to say that two individuals with identical stimulation of X and
Y parts of the brain would thus experience identical mind states. This is where the fallacies of the
Identity Theory occur. “Everyone has a different experience (with entheogenic substances) so no
two experiences will be the same even if the same individual does it more than once” (Erowid).

There are few that deny the fact that each mental state or experience produces specific
stimulation in the brain. But to say a mental state is exhausted by its relationship to the brain’s
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activity would be denying the existence of subjective qualia. This would mean each person that
partakes in a drug-induced altered state, thus stimulating identical parts of the brain, would
undergo the exact same Spiritual Experience. The Identity Theory clearly ignores the qualitive
aspect of experience and its ongoing affect on that individual’s beliefs, thoughts, and
perceptions.

B. Behaviorism and the Ignorance of the Internal Experience

Behaviorism, defended by Rudolf Carnap, argues that the mind is nothing more than an
external aspect of behavior. The mind is seen entirely as a public aspect and could be broken
down physically by an individual’s physical responses and behavior to the external environment.
An argument defending this view by Carnap is the example of “Mr. A.” Carnap states that in the
sentence “Mr. A is now excited,” his feeling of excitement can be traced back to his physical
behavior. Carnap believes that his mental state of excitement can be physically reduced to
features like a high pulse and an increased rate of breathing (39-44).

Hilary Putnam’s “super-spartan” thought experiment successfully proves that not

everyone reacts to experience and external aspects in the same way, thus concluding that it is
indeed more than just external physical observations that make up one’s mental states (45-54).
The Spiritual Experience can also provide valid evidence to argue Carnap’s thesis.

As previously mentioned, DMT is considered one of the most powerful psychoactive

compounds. “When one is administered a dosage of DMT, they are almost instantly emerged in a
completely psychedelic and internal DMT hyperspace” (Gracie and Zarkhov). “The effects last
for a short period of time, usually 5 to 15 minutes, dependent on the dose. The onset after
inhalation is very fast (less than 45 seconds) and peak effects are reached within a minute”
(Haroz and Greenberg). The experience is described as a “total loss of connection to external
reality and an experience of encountering indescribable spiritual/alien realms” (Erowid). During
this experience, ones physical body remains still with little to no observable changes. This
experience produces profound internal mental states while showing little to no external aspects
or behavior, “to an outside observer, you are breathing normally” (Gracie and Zarkhov).

Mitch Schultz, producer of the documentary DMT: The Spirit Molecule, elaborated on his
first Spiritual Experience and how the internal mental event drastically changed his life. “The
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10-minute experience changed the core of my being, provided a drastically new outlook on life,
and ultimately became the impetus for my psychedelic research and life direction” (Cronshey
and Schultz). There is no proper physical evidence or observation that can successfully reduce
such an experience or event that has a “drastic” change on one’s life, like Schultz and countless
others claim to have experienced.

The Behaviorist Objections

First Objection

A behaviorism enthusiast might argue that these mental visions and illusions one
undergoes during a Spiritual Experience can be traced back to external events from one’s past.

Reply

With thousands of documented drug-induced hallucinations, there is no denying that

some concepts and visions one encounters during their experience are recognized as concepts of
one’s past external environment. However, these familiar concepts are only a small part of the
experience. Beyond these personal concepts is a whole world of visions, which in most cases are
incapable of being externally experienced because of their non-existence.

“Travelers report that past these jeweled-gates can be found mechanical-Elves, Aliens,
Egyptian Gods, temples, pyramids, and palaces of pulsating light, and some would say, the entire
possible population of the Collective Unconsciousness. A magical place where the totality of
phenomenal existence can be experienced in an often terrifying transpersonal flash” (Oroc 6-18).
James Oroc is an author, as well as the founder of the website dmtsite.com. This website, along
with companion websites like erowid.org, list hundreds of documented cases of individuals who
have undergone their own Spiritual Experiences. Many of these individuals also documented
experiencing bizarre concepts and visions, which they claim were previously unfamiliar to them
while in the normal waking state of physical consciousness.

Rick Strassman, author of DMT the Spirit Molecule, who led a government-approved
clinical experiment of injecting sixty volunteers with DMT, also reported multiple cases of
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participants experiencing concepts they were previously unfamiliar with such as intelligent
nonhuman presences, aliens, angels, and spirits. “Our volunteers unquestionably had some of
the most intense, unusual, and unexpected experiences of their lives…subjects saw all sorts of
unimaginable things” (266-293).

Second Objection

These “unfamiliar” concepts may not have been experienced personally by the
individuals; however the individual could have externally perceived these “unimaginable”
concepts in movies, television programs, books, and other sources of fictional media. Therefore,
the mental visions experienced can still be linked back to physical observances, making them
still capable of being physically reduced.

Reply

The Spiritual Experience creates much more than just visual concepts and hallucinations.
The overall experience consists of insight, wisdom, and enlightenment that is incapable of being
physically reduced. “The subject of it (the experience) immediately says that it defies
expression, that no adequate report of its contents can be given in words” (James 279-282).
Martin Ball also adds “the experience is often overwhelming, undeniable, beyond linguistic
description, and primary in importance over any specific religion belief, teaching, or practice”
(20).

Thomas Nagel and his “What it’s Like Aspect” can also be used to argue this objection.
Nagel argues that consciousness and subjective experience cannot be satisfactorily explained by
physical reduction. Similar to above arguments by James and Ball, Nagel claims concepts of
mental states are only available to the person who is acquainted with his or her own states, and
are not capable of being successfully or properly shared with another, thus making them unable
to be physically explained or reduced (219-226).

If an experience is unable to be properly expressed using physical language, then it is safe

to say that it is incapable of being properly reduced to physical terms. The qualia of each
Spiritual Experience is unique to each specific journey and to each individual who participates in
the journey. Like Nagel, I am not denying that mental states cause behavioral and functional
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aspects, just denying that these physical aspects are capable of exhausting the complete aspect of
the mental state.

The Temporary Solution to the ‘Hard Problem’

Altered states of consciousness are capable of more than just arguing the claims of
physicalism. Altered states of consciousness and Spiritual Experiences may also be the answer to
solving other problems in philosophy of mind. Chalmers states “consciousness poses the most
baffling problems in the science of the mind. There is nothing that we know more intimately than
conscious experience, but there is nothing that is harder to explain” (200-219). Garcia-Romeu
and Tart add “consciousness refers to the subjective awareness and experience of both internal
and external phenomena. These phenomena may include but are not limited to: internal
sensations, perceptions, thoughts, emotions, and the sense of self, as well as perception of all
external objects, events, and other stimuli. Part of the major problem in understanding and
defining consciousness has been precisely how such a seemingly external object as a brain could
possibly produce or experience subjective internal states” (123).

Colin McGinn, a well respected philosopher, has similar views to the ones stated
throughout this paper. McGinn believes the mental and non-physical aspects of our experiences
are too complicated for humans to successfully break down into physical terms or proper
explanation. However, instead of using qualia or subjective experience to defend his claim, he
simply argues that the human mind is not equipped with the correct tools to solve the problem of
consciousness (394-405).

Although his argument and the thesis of this paper both support the inability to reduce
mental aspects, there are some key differences. Many philosophers will agree that the possibility
of solving the aspect of qualia, or the ‘hard problem’ is not possible under normal waking
consciousness. However, it can be theorized that by intentionally entering an altered state of
consciousness by means of entheogenic compounds, one can gain a deeper understanding of
consciousness and a better understanding of the ‘hard problem.’ It can be argued that human
beings are in fact equipped with the proper tools for understanding consciousness, but these tools
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are only available to those who develop a deeper understanding and insight by the use of altered
states. With proper training, practice, and insight, one may be able to break open ‘the hard
problem’ and grasp the concepts that are beyond the understanding of normal human
consciousness. One may never be able to permanently solve the ‘hard problem,’ but one may
have the ability, through altered mind states, to temporarily understand the ‘hard problem.’

Altered mind states equip individuals with stronger awareness, deeper understanding, and
improved thought and perception. It is possible that, as many philosophers theorized in the past,
the consciousness contains different levels. Is it too far-fetched to theorize that changing one’s
state of consciousness (normal to altered state) can offer one the temporary ability to enter a
different deeper level of consciousness? Is it possible that the levels (normal to deep/higher) of
consciousness are directly related and possibly the same as the states (normal to altered) of
consciousness? With all the evidence and documented resources available, I strongly believe
that it is altered states of consciousness that will provide an individual with the ability to reach
deeper levels of understanding. As one uses a method such as entheogens to encounter a direct
Spiritual Experience, deeper levels of consciousness are unlocked and new abilities are gained.
As one’s consciousness continues to reach deeper levels, the more mental aspects are involved
while the physical aspects begin to disappear. At the deepest, most profound level of
consciousness, the state is purely mental and it is at this altered state of mind that one may
become fully aware and able to grasp a full understanding of consciousness.

This deepest level of consciousness allows one to fully know and understand what reality
is. “Higher consciousness is generally regarded as a developed state of consciousness in which
attention is improved, refined and enhanced—and aspects of the mind (such as thought, and
perception) are transcended. It is considered thus to be a higher level of consciousness relative to
ordinary consciousness, in the sense that a greater awareness of reality is achieved. In a secular
context, higher consciousness is usually associated with exceptional control over one's mind and
will, intellectual and moral enlightenment, and profound personal growth” (Shepard).

As mentioned before, human bodies naturally have and produce a substance (DMT) that
allows one to undergo some of the most profound and life altering experiences ever recorded.
Therefore, it is possible that various historical religious figures may have received their visions
and spiritual inspiration from a spontaneous release of DMT in their system (Ball 18). Even with
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recent advances in technology, we still lack the ability to trace the levels of DMT that one’s body
has at any given moment. Until this is possible, it is hard to ignore or disregard the possibility of
an internal entheogenic substance like DMT from being the prime source of our experienced
mental phenomena.

It is speculated that when at normal waking consciousness, those who have past
experience with meditation have higher level of awareness and understanding than those who are
unfamiliar with these practices. Meditative techniques and other mind enhancing practices may
give one the ability to produce more natural DMT during normal waking consciousness, thus
allowing them to have a constant deeper level of understanding, insight, and awareness.
Buddhism proclaims that Buddha, its founder, through the practice of meditation was able to
unlock his full consciousness, thus having full awareness and understanding of all that exists.
Does this then mean that if the ‘hard problem’ existed and was argued during his lifetime that he
may have been able to successfully solve it?

“The publication of Aldous Huxley’s The Doors of Perception (1954) marked the
beginnings of a turning point in popular opinion about the potentials of altered states of
consciousness” (Garcia-Romeu and Tart 127). Aldous Huxley, a well known author and
philosopher, developed a possible theory to help one better understand the ‘levels’ of
consciousness and the way one can eventually equip themselves with a pure level of
consciousness and understanding. In 1954, Huxley developed the concept of the mind acting as a
“reducing valve” that constrains the levels of consciousness and awareness one is exposed to.
While in a normal waking state of consciousness, the mind filters deeper levels of awareness and
understanding so our basic perceptions and sensations are focused strictly on our biological
survival. If the deep levels of awareness and the altered states of consciousness were available to
us at all times, then our mind would be unable to properly perceive the present time and would
be unable to focus on the biological needs of the body’s survival (8-9).

This can solidify the argument of why altered states of consciousness do not last for long
time periods and why our body is constantly cleansing our chemical balances and ensuring that
most of our life is spent in the normal waking state of consciousness. Huxley claims that one
could temporarily shut off the mind’s “reducing valve” by using entheogenic compounds,
practicing meditative states, or by hypnosis. These altered mind states allow one to go beyond
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normal reality and perception and enter the deeper, more mentally engaged levels of
consciousness, thus giving one the ability to temporarily understand the ‘hard problem.’

Descartes claimed that mind (mental aspects) and matter (physical aspects) were in fact
separate. He also made claims of the possibility of a soul, which he believed was located at the
center of consciousness. Is it possible that there are in fact three distinct aspects that make up an
individual? As Descartes pointed out, two aspects, the physical and mental, play causal roles
with each other. This means that events involving these aspects can have both physical and
mental properties attached to them. For example when someone is in pain, the mental property
would be the actual feeling of pain while the physical properties would be the yelling out, crying,
and brain stimulation that occurs. The third possible aspect is that of the soul. It is this aspect of
an individual that is purely phenomenal with no attachment to the physical world. Although we
all have this aspect, we may not be able to fully understand or experience its ability. This is
because of the constraints and restrictions of our normal state of awareness and perception. The
same constraints that Huxley claims deny our ability to always be at the deepest and purest levels
of consciousness, or to be fully engaged in our soul.

The unlocking of the soul, a purely mental phenomenon, could be the same idea of
unlocking one’s highest level of consciousness. It is only at this time one could have full control
and true understanding of the mental aspects that take place in consciousness. It is only at this
time that one can understand the ‘hard problem’.

It is at this highest level of consciousness, subjective qualia disappears and the feeling of
pure unity and understanding is all that is felt. All individuals who reach this level, at least for
the time they are experiencing it, lose the feeling of self, the subjective experiences, and the ego
that separates them from another. All that is felt is the pure unity and understanding (Ball 38).
Thus, at least for a short time, making the mystery of qualia and the ‘hard problem of
consciousness’ disappear.

One can look virtually anywhere in the world at any point in history and find that altered
states of consciousness were used in some way or form. This concept of altered states of
consciousness and Spiritual Experiences holding the answers to some of humanity’s deepest
questions is nothing new. It is clear this concept to alter one’s mind and to seek truth and
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understanding has been around for thousands of years. However, because of the current society‘s
habit to abuse altered states of consciousness recreationally with drug use, and the West’s
negative perception of such substances, this concept of altered states of consciousness being used
as spiritual guidance may have recently been buried and forgotten. Maybe society just needs a
reminder that the answers we seek are not located externally in the physical world. Instead, these
answers can be found internally, and are just waiting for us to experience them by unlocking our
most mysterious and precious tool, better known as consciousness.
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