Alternated States Of Consciousness

[Shakazulu]

I want to share a realization that surprised me after years of deep inner work, therapy, and altered-state exploration.

Altered states of consciousness (psychedelics, mystical states, peak experiences, non-dual insights, ego dissolution, etc.) do not equate to success 

They can be valuable, but they are often over-credited. Here’s what I mean: 

Altered states can:

Surface unconscious material

Break rigid identity structures

Create insight, perspective, and emotional access

Temporarily reduce ego defenses

Reveal what’s possible psychologically

That’s access. Access is not embodiment. Insight is not integration. A peak state is not a stable baseline.

A hard truth I didn’t expect:

Many people (including my past self) unconsciously chase altered states as a shortcut to:

Healing

Freedom

Confidence

Meaning

Transformation

But altered states don’t bypass integration.