Common Reactions to The Clear Light

The duration of this state varies with the individual. It depends upon experience, security, trust, preparation and the surroundings. In those who have had even a little practical experience of the tranquil state of non-game awareness, and in those who have happy games, this state can last from thirty minutes to several hours.

In those who are heavily dependent on their ego games, and who dread giving up their control, the illuminate state endures only so long as it would take to snap a finger.

If the person fails to recognize and accept the onset of ego loss, he may complain of strange bodily symptoms. This shows that he has not reached a liberated state. Then the guide or friend should explain the symptoms as indicated the onset of ego loss.

1. Bodily pressure;
2. Clammy coldness, followed by feverish heat;
3. Body disintegrating or blown to atoms;
4. Pressure on head and ears;
5. Tingling in extremities;
6. Feelings of body melting;
7. Nausea;
8. Trembling or shaking, beginning in pelvic region.

These physical reactions should be recognized as signs heralding transcendence. Avoid treating them as symptoms of illness, accept them, merge with them, enjoy them.

Mild nausea occurs often with the ingestion of morning-glory seeds or peyote, rarely with mescaline and infrequently with LSD or psilocybin. If the subject experiences stomach messages, they should be hailed as a sign that consciousness is moving around the body. The symptoms are mental; the mind controls the sensation, and the subject should merge with the sensation, experience it fully, enjoy it, and having enjoyed it, let consciousness flow on to the next phase. It is usually more natural to let consciousness stay in the body -- the subject's attention can move from the stomach and concentrate on breathing, heart beat. if this does not free him from nausea, the guide should move the consciousness to external events -- music, walking in the garden, etc.

"The Psychedelic Experience"
Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner, Richard Alpert

 

 

 

bardo WORDS
words