Our normal waking state of consciousness can be likened to being “asleep” in comparison to other states of awareness we might attain. In this intriguing discussion, psychologist Charles Tart, PhD, author of Altered States of Consciousness and Waking Up, suggests that we can begin to “wake up” by allowing our awareness to become conscious of itself. This [...]

00:00 Introduction

The late Ralph Metzner, PhD, was well known as a consciousness explorer. Here he stresses the importance of metaphor in guiding and understanding human development, focussing on the metaphors of transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly, of the journey, and of death and rebirth. Dr. Metzner is author of Opening to Inner Light and Maps of Consciousness and [...]

Daniel shares the maps of experience and the stages of insight of Buddhist meditation and practices that enable one to live in the now with more meaning and purpose.

Here Davis and Jeffrey look at the question of crucial moments that can define one’s character and set the arc of one’s life in a particular direction. The discussion touches on both psychological and parapsychological themes.

Christopher shares that history follows cyclical patterns, and the current polarization and conflict in society are part of a larger cycle. After periods of existential crisis there is usually greater unity and peace. Chaos and conflict may provide opportunities for more presence and participation that can raise us to a higher level of consciousness to [...]

Brian shares that the features of a spiritual emergency and psychospiritual emergence have much in common with what is known as psychosis and are frequently indistinguishable. Indigenous cultures view these experiences as normal and part of the mysteries of being human.