Inspiration, Reason and Altered States of Consciousness

Posted on March 22, 2008
Filed Under Awareness |

Where does it come from, this thing we call ‘inspiration’? These ideas which seem to generate themselves out of the most simplest suggestion. When hearing people talk of their inspired moments, there always seems an inevitable tangent to them - as though for a moment their mind slipped into some ‘elsewhere’.

So it struck me, that it seems every worthwhile idea, thought or invention was born from a mind which has dwelt within an altered state of consciousness. Altered states are of course brought on in an infinite number of ways; the use of hallucinogens, lack of sleep, listening to music or hypnotic sounds, or even simply being in the shower - ‘Zen Mind is Shower Mind’ as I once heard it referred to by a Zen monk.

As obvious as this seems, it is rare to find such methods spoken of. Perhaps there is a lack of awareness about this subject - and I can understand that, after all I am hardly an expert myself. But what could be the explanation for this lack of awareness within society?

I believe the problem stems from structure, linear reasoning and pure logic. Modern society is infused with these ‘ideals’; “Learn how to Paint in 10 Easy Steps”, “Gain Over-night Success”, “The Practical Guide to Meditation”. I feel this sort of thinking highlights an extremely regimented perspective, and in my experience it is precisely regimentation, forced structure - in short control - which prevents one from entering an altered state of consciousness.

Now I am not saying that these traits of reasoning aren’t valuable - because clearly they are. However it is obvious that they are not the be-all and end-all of existence. Regardless of what people may like to think, reasoning and objectivity are human traits and thus influence everything they touch. It is paradoxical to believe that one can remain dissociative from an observation or experience. You can’t play the game or be a spectator at the same time.

Inspiration occurs within those moments when we release our grip on objectivity, reasoning and logic. This is why dreams can be so fantastical and imaginative. It is also why dreams fall like sand when we awake and start applying linear reasoning to them.

Yet, conversely it is our ability to reason which allows us to interpret our dreams on an unprecedented level, just as it is our capacity to reason which allows us to carry our inspirations into physical reality. It seems to me then, what we are yet to learn as a society - is the ability to balance the non-linear with the linear; to stride between order and chaos. Personally, I feel it is in that middle ground where humanity will finally start to show its true potential.