The most basic states of conscious are usually described as Deep Sleep, Dreaming, Lucid Dreaming, Waking and Higher States of consciousness. Higher States are variously called NonOrdinary, Altered, Samadhis, Jhanas, Mystical, Transpersonal, Holotropic states. Entheogens, Psychedelics, Spirit Plant Medicines, Fasting, Meditation, Isolation and Breathwork can generate significant, profound, challenging, transformative and inspiring NonOrdinary States and a variety of unique experiences. 

NonOrdinary states of consciousness and the various experiences that arise within them are often collectively imagined as a confusing storm, a crazy quilt or being lost in a carnival of shifting experiences. Even in contemporary transpersonal psychology, these experiences have referred to as No Man's Land and in some mystical traditions they are viewed as ephemeral experiences that distract practitioners from attaining communion with a transcendent divine being, or transcendent state of being.

It is time we investigated transpersonal experiences thoroughly, regardless of how they arise. Subjectively, they have as much psychological and spiritual value as dreams, if not more so. As has been shown more recently, powerful psychedelic experiences are sometimes so profound that they have a lasting influence and become some of the most significant experiences in people's lives. They allow people to accept death, reduce or eliminate problems of addiction, and depression, make notable changes in their lives and even inspire people to create significant scientific and technological and artistic innovations and inspire people to commit themselves to spiritual traditions, practices and healthier lifestyles.

When we examine consciousness, we do not simply find a Spectrum but a complex Ecology. Consciousness is not only experienced in a continuum but a branching through various domains. Let us do away with the hierarchies and monistic visions of the past and instead imagine an Ecology of Consciousness.