Out of space, time and ego

We can imagine a mental state that is normal. But this implies states of sub-normal or super-normal. We can imagine a future when the old super-normal becomes the new normal. There might then be a time of peace. All that is required is changing minds. Is that time approaching?

The normal state of consciousness involves being awake to and aware of both internal and external changes. Most reactions (fast) and responses (slow) are based on habits and routines and you are on automatic pilot. The details will be founded on a mix of largely unconscious instinct and learning.

Sub-normal states of consciousness involve deviation from what is acceptable in a given cultural context. There is the sensitive issue of how mental disorders are classified and by whom and for what purpose.

There are two main systems - Chapter V of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (For some details see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classification_of_mental_disorders) The continually expanding systems of classification are a concern in the politics of deciding when the abnormality is a  ‘disease’ and then how it might be treated – therapy, medication, or surgery

There is an active Anti-psychiatry movement which reckons that (a) insanity is a sane response to an insane world) and (b) many existing psychiatric ‘treatments’ do more harm than good. (For some details see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antipsychiatry )

Super-normal states of consciousness have been recognized as special in most human cultures through space and time. They have often been linked to the notion of mystical spirituality and therefore been dismissed by the hard nosed ones. But, in the west, since Abraham Maslow developed his hierarchy of needs, the concept of self actualisation has become a respectable research topic in academic circles.

The recent science of “Positive Psychology” studies the frames of mind of exceptional (super-normal) human beings. There is now the concept of flow (Csikszentmihalyi), of flourishing (Seligman) and of Good Work (Gardner et al). “The Good Project is a large scale effort to identify individuals and institutions that exemplify good work – work that is excellent in quality, socially responsible, and meaningful to its practitioners – and to determine how best to increase the incidence of good work in our society.” http://www.thegoodproject.org/

This story so far is rooted in a fairly recent and mainstream western world view. But the same basic story line is now being freshly developed by (a) neuroscientists, (b) evolutionary psychologists and (c) several approaches to mindful meditation.

Various brain scanning machines have been invented and have given neuroscientists new data. Physical changes in the brain can be linked to subjective experiences in the mind and body. The modular nature of the brain and its neural plasticity have been highlighted. The subtle interplays between mind and brain can now be mapped and there is a rapidly developing and often counter-intuitive appreciation of the complex nature of what is going on.

Evolutionary psychology recognises that the mindbrain modules and their patterns of interaction are the result of natural selection. They are rooted in our fish, reptile, mammal and primate ancestry. The patterns that exist today are the result of mutations which tinkered with the patterns of earlier times. Biological evolution continues at multiple levels – notably individual and group – but now there is also cultural evolution given that more of us are conscious of consciousness.

From an evolutionary point of view it is a disadvantage for a group to be too tightly normal. The only constant thing is change. What is sub-normal or super-normal today might be exactly what is required tomorrow. The prerequisite for evolution by natural selection is variety.

The Buddha was a noted super-normal. He is famous for noting that “in life there is suffering.” In many cases, despite appearances, people are anxious, panicky and stressed. This is due in part to the mindbrain having evolved a negativity bias. Is that a snake or a piece of rope? Is that rustle in the grass due to the wind or a predator? The survivors are the neurotic and paranoid pessimists. It pays to be a little bit insane!

But the negative stimulus response systems from the Stone Age are no longer relevant in the Computer Age. But in raw biological evolution good enough is good enough: there is no blueprint for perfection. But as a species that is conscious of its consciousness there is the possibility of cultural evolution, of deliberately changing our minds ie of moving from sub-normal through to supernormal and transcendent.

The Buddha also noted that there could be an end to suffering and that, amongst other things, this involves practicing mindfulness. This is now a burgeoning technique in the west. Courses are now widely available dealing with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). All in eight weeks!

Over the years, in various combinations, the above ideas have occupied the intellectual parts of my attention centre. But this meant failing to note what was going on in the non intellectual here and now.

More recently I have made time for just sitting in mindfulness. More often than not this has allowed the development of a mental peace and quiet. And this peace can be carried over to focussed work where, while concentrating, there is flow and flourishing; there is the super-normal state of consciousness that is outwith the confines of space, time and ego.

Productive bliss. Good Work.

I work at putting words about super-normal states into cyberspace.

May the best ideas go viral.