Overview
- Brings together literature on transpersonal anthropology and transpersonal psychology to examine mild ASCs
- Presents research with participants engaged in activities including, sport, prayer, music and TV watching
- Argues that mild ASCs are more common than supposed and that they have therapeutic potential
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Table of contents (17 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
This book draws on transpersonal anthropology and psychology in order to explore mild altered states of consciousness (ASCs) experienced in everyday life. While research into consciousness and particularly ASCs is growing, this book focuses on a neglected area: ‘everyday’ experiences of ASCs. Opening with an up-to-date overview of the development of the study of ASCs, the author presents an in-depth empirical exploration and mapping of mild ASCs. Dr Sheppard examines original research conducted in a range of religious and secular contexts with participants who were engaged in activities including prayer, sport, nature conservation, music and musical instrument making, and TV viewing.
The author takes a novel phenomenological approach to the analysis of ASCs, emphasising the subjective experience. The book explores the healing potential of such mild ASCs; the everyday fantasy reality of the interior landscape; and discusses the problem of validity, and belief in the study of ASCs. It will appeal to students and scholars of transpersonal psychology, consciousness studies, social anthropology, and the philosophy of mind.
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Eileen Sheppard is Associate Lecturer at the Open University, UK. Dr. Sheppard’s research draws on the fields of social anthropology and psychology, and centres on altered states of consciousness and healing. Her previously published work includes articles on altered states, healing and religion in Transpersonal Psychological Review.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Mild Altered States of Consciousness
Book Subtitle: Subtle Shifts of Mind and Their Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Eileen Sheppard
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-53452-2
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and Psychology, Behavioral Science and Psychology (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-031-53451-5Published: 18 April 2024
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-031-53454-6Due: 19 May 2024
eBook ISBN: 978-3-031-53452-2Published: 17 April 2024
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XII, 315
Number of Illustrations: 1 b/w illustrations
Topics: Religion and Psychology, Social Anthropology, Philosophy of Mind, Clinical Psychology, Phenomenology