Expansion of Consciousness

In summary, the conversation discusses the evolution and expansion of consciousness, the inevitability of a profound transformation in our way of understanding and interacting with reality, and the use of different methods such as mind altering drugs and nootropics to expand consciousness. It also mentions the importance of identifying the brain areas and neural activity responsible for expanded consciousness. The conversation emphasizes that consciousness is a multi-dimensional phenomenon and can be expanded along many different dimensions, resulting in various transcendent states. It also briefly mentions some of the effects experienced during expanded consciousness, such as time dilation and a sense of vastness.
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Expansion of Consciousness

( from http://brainmeta.com/index.php?q=expanding-consciousness )

We are the Universe conscious of Itself



Introduction

The evolution and expansion of consciousness is inevitable. With the expansion of consciousness comes new ways of seeing reality. Everything changes. You see things that you never could of conceived of before. Old philosophies and religions suddenly appear naive and give way to a far more profound understanding. Most religions and philosophies will not last long, simply because it is inevitable that a profound transformation in our consciousness, in our way of understanding and interacting with reality, is going to soon take place. It is inevitable because that is the direction that consciousness is headed.

A few of us have chosen to make consciousness our 'game', in all of its forms and degrees of intensity, as well as its neural basis, modification, manipulation, and expansion. We observe our own experiences during various different states of consciousness as both a psychologist and cognitive scientist would. We note how different modalities are effected and enhanced, how space and time are altered, and how our sense of 'self' is effected (assuming the ego is still intact). In sum, we note both qualitatively and semi-quantitatively how the myriad different dimensions of consciousness are transformed during altered states of consciousness. It is from such experiences that the unfathomable potential for the enhancement and extension of consciousness in all of its forms reveals itself.

Ordinary consciousness is simply too mundane and limiting. It is necessary to understand the neural basis of altered/heightened states of consciousness and to control the neural system so as to bring about these desired states of consciousness. Neuroscience is just reaching into the realm of expanded states of consciousness, though the future consequences of such are simply amazing, and are utterly beyond the imaginative capabilities of the vast majority of people.




How do we expand consciousness?

An oft-used method for expanding consciousness involves mind expanding/altering drugs , also known as entheogens, though more effective and permanent ways will be devised in the future. Unfortunately, the negative side effects associated with such drugs are oftentimes many, and include poor memory.

Nootropics, also known as "smart drugs", such as piracetam, hydergine, vasopressin, l-deprenyl, acetyl l-carnitine, and nicotine, can offset some of the negative side effects produced by entheogens, and in fact, will oftentimes produce a synergism, not only amongst themselves, but particularly if used simultaneously with entheogens.

Thus, with materials readily available to us today, we can engineer our mind-states and expand our consciousness along many different dimensions.

In the long term, however, it is crucial to identify the particular brain activities and key areas of the brain that are responsible for expanded/transcendent states of consciousness, because then we will be in a position to modulate neural activity in these brain areas using safer and more controlled techniques than what are currently available to us today. Possibly one such technique is Neural Systems Control. Another technique could involve brain-activity biofeedback (for example, EEG biofeedback, though current EEG is too crude a technique to be really useful for the purposes of expanding consciousness via brain-activity feedback).




What are these brain areas and what types of neural activity are responsible for expanded consciousness?

At this point, anything said is speculative, and is best disclosed at a future time when more certainty is obtained. What does seem certain, however, is the involvement of cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex (and other associational cortices), and the thalamus.




Consciousness may be Expanded along Multiple Dimensions

Consciousness is a multi- dimensional phenomenon. There are many ways of expanding consciousness. The transcendent states achieved thru meditation, while important, are but one type of transcendent consciousness. Unfortunately, many people seem to be of the opinion that there exists only one type of transcendent consciousness, and that it can be reached thru meditation. However, this view is naive because it disregards the multi-dimensional aspects of consciousness, which may be expanded (or transcended) along many different dimensions to result in myriad different transcendent states of consciousness. The tendency to label such transcendent states as simply 'samadhi', 'nirvana', 'Buddha-consciousness', 'cosmic-consciousness', or 'satori' just reinforces the mistaken notion that there exists only one type of transcendent consciousness.

One of the objectives of BrainMeta.com, and in particular, this essay, is to educate others that there are multiple different types and modes of transcendent consciousness, not just those associated with the 'classic' mystical experience, and that these different types of consciousness will play a role in the evolution of our consciousness towards the Singularity, when our consciousness, at both the personal and species level, will transcend itself into something that is currently inconceivable for our species.




What is it like to Experience Expanded Consciousness?

In the following, some of the dimensions along which consciousness may be transformed and expanded will be described. These effects will not necessarily be experienced simultaneously, and are to some extent dependent on the individual. The following list is not meant to be exhaustive by any means, but rather highlights a few of the many interesting effects experienced during states of expanded consciousness.

Time Dilation

We've all experienced time dilation to some extent during 'normal' states of consciousness. In general, time dilation occurs when thought processes speed up while memory is left intact (if memory is not intact, you often sense something happened but you do not know what or how much subjective time has passed). It is interesting that time dilation occurs along a spectrum. Normally, we may feel like an hour of subjective time has passed after only five minutes of objective time. However, there does not seem to be a limit concerning how much we can potentially dilate subjective time, and some mind enhancing/altering drugs have the property of taking time dilation to the extreme. What seems like entire lifetimes can be experienced in a few minutes.

Vastness

Imagine the sense of 'vastness' you experience when you gaze into the clear night sky. Now imagine that sense of vastness magnified a million-fold or more and you may begin to appreciate the type of expansion of perceptual spaces that occurs during this experience so that they become extremely vast, beyond anything 'normally' conceivable.

Body Expansion

The experience of one's 'body consciousness' extending outwards, usually far beyond one's immediate body. This particular mode of consciousness falls under the category of 'Cosmic Consciousness'. Normally, we have a 'body-consciousness', meaning we're conscious of our arms and legs, as our own and not somebody elses. 'Body Expansion' occurs when your 'body consciousness' extends beyond, usually far beyond, your immediate physical body. It is as if your new body is your whole environment and that your 'old' body is simply a nexus or nodal point thru which your will exerts itself. Even during 'normal' consciousness, it is possible to willfully enter into the proper mind-set for 'Body Expansion', though naturally, not everyone is currently capable of doing this.

Ego-Death and the Experience of the 'Self'

The experience of the death of ones ego or 'self' can be frightening for some. Such experiences are often related to near-death experiences (NDEs), in the sense that the two often, but not always, occur hand-in-hand. Following ego-death, or the destruction of the individuals 'self', what remains is intense, non-reflective (or non-self-conscious) consciousness, the radiant 'Self' (presumably, this is the same 'Self' as revealed in ancient Eastern religious texts such as the Bhagavad-Gita and the Upanashads, the same as experienced during states of 'Cosmic Consciousness', and the same as experienced by religious mystics). This is why such experiences are invariably mystical and religious. Through the death of ones 'self' and unveiling of the 'Self', one soon learns to identify oneself completely with the 'Self' thereafter. Even if and when the individual's ego subsequently 're-crystallizes', it is transparent and seen through for the illusion it is.

Presence

It is not possible to put this ineffable experience into words, other than to say that it involves a vivid consciousness of a strong, ubiquitous 'presence' which has some relation or similarity to the 'presence' that we can be normally aware of when others are watching us.

Higher-Dimensional Space and Time

Normally, we construct space and it is limited to 3 spatial dimensions. However, because 3-dimensional space as we perceive it is nothing more than a mental construct, it is perhaps not surprising that this limitation to 3 spatial dimensions can be transcended. This grants one, among other things, the ability to discern patterns and connections in perceptual and conceptual thought not visible during 'normal' consciousness.

Similarly, our mental representation of time is normally of a flowing, continuous, and unitary nature, but this may be modified as well, in a way that is analogous to the modifications of our mental representations of space discussed above.

Ecstasy

This involves the experience of ecstasy and rapture far, far beyond what we are capable of experiencing normally. This experience has absolutely nothing to do with the 'ecstasy' experienced using the drug that goes by the same name, but rather involves an intensity and depth that far exceeds those produced by typical 'recreational' drugs.

Multi-Modal Integration

This experience involves integration across multiple modalities, such as visual, auditory, and proprioceptive, to yield new modalities that are greater than the sum of their parts.

God-Mode

God-Mode is a somewhat humorous name for an expanded state of consciousness that 'simultaneously' involves many of the above effects, including time dilation, body expansion, vastness, ecstasy, consciousness of the 'Self', and presence. There are many degrees and many types of 'Cosmic Consciousness'. God-Mode is perhaps the highest and most profound type of Cosmic Consciousness that our species has yet experienced.





A few more thoughts on the nature of expanded consciousness

The universe, as we directly experience and understand it, is but a construct of the brain that enables us to navigate about and get what we want. It's not a true picture of reality. There are many ways of constructing and experiencing reality, and there are ways of perceiving things other than the 'normal' construct that the vast majority of mankind employs.

These different constructs depend on different modes of consciousness.

Space itself is but a mental construct. There are many ways to construct space other than the familiar Euclidean space most people experience.

Our perceptual constructs will soon give way to something far more profound, something currently inconceivable for the vast majority of humanity because they are all trapped in their little worlds, and they think it is reality, but it is not. We are the universe conscious of itself. Very soon, consciousness is going to experience an abrupt change. Humanity has been confined for so long in an illusion. Individuality will give way to the experience of something common, that sort of underlies the individuality.

Our perceptual realities are only the dimly lit surface of a vast sea of consciousness. This is not the Jungian collective unconscious per se, but rather something which is indeed very conscious. However, the great majority of our species has not experienced this directly because they are confined within their little, illusory perceptual shells which they think is somehow reflective of reality, but it is not.

We (our conscious worlds) are but waves or ripples on the surface of something vast, the Self, a consciousness which underlies and encompasses all the little spheres of self-consciousness. This is why being self-centered is naive. We, as a species, are moving inexorably towards Self-centeredness.

If you directly experience the bigger picture, you willl see just how much of an illusion our 'normal' perceptual reality is. For good reason, no-one can claim to experience the full, true picture. However, a few of us have experienced a much bigger picture, and know that this is the direction that consciousness is heading, that this is in our future.

People are stuck in their little waves of individuality, they never look deep beneath the surface, and there is something vast there that likely is common to all. It is something that you have to directly experience because explanations and descriptions will be empty without the actual experience, though it is not recommended that everybody attempt to experience it just yet. Nonetheless, it is where the future is headed.
 
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I know piracetam is used in conjunction with some chemicals to detox alcoholic patients in a matter of hours. Supposedly protects the brain from some 'harmful' chemicals. I'm not sure how that will work with conjunction of psilocyn or DMT however - do you have any experimental feedback on that?
 
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Conclusion

It is inevitable that our consciousness will continue to expand and evolve. As we continue to explore altered states of consciousness and understand the neural basis of these states, we will gain greater control over our consciousness and be able to expand it along multiple dimensions. This expansion will lead to new ways of seeing reality and ultimately, a transformation of our consciousness towards something currently inconceivable. The future of consciousness is a vast and exciting frontier waiting to be explored.
 

1. What is meant by "expansion of consciousness"?

The expansion of consciousness refers to an increase in one's awareness and understanding of oneself, others, and the world around them. It involves a deepening of one's perception, intuition, and perspective on life.

2. How can consciousness be expanded?

There are various practices and experiences that can lead to an expansion of consciousness, such as meditation, mindfulness, psychedelics, spiritual practices, and deep introspection. These methods can help individuals tap into their inner wisdom and gain new insights and perspectives.

3. What are the benefits of expanding one's consciousness?

Expanding one's consciousness can bring about a range of benefits, including increased self-awareness, empathy, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. It can also lead to a greater sense of inner peace, fulfillment, and a more meaningful life.

4. Is the expansion of consciousness a linear process?

No, the expansion of consciousness is not a linear process. It is a highly individual and subjective experience, and the path to expansion is different for each person. It can involve moments of growth and setbacks, and it is a continuous journey rather than a destination.

5. Can everyone achieve an expansion of consciousness?

Yes, everyone has the potential to expand their consciousness. It is a natural human experience, and it can be cultivated through various practices and experiences. However, the extent to which one can expand their consciousness may vary depending on factors such as belief systems, mindset, and personal experiences.

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