States of Consciousness: Experimental Insights into Meditation, Waking, Sleep and Dreams / Edition 1

Susan M. Blackmore

States of Consciousness: Experimental Insights into Meditation, Waking, Sleep and Dreams, written by Susan M. Blackmore and published in 1987, is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the nature of consciousness. The book draws from a wide range of fields, including psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and Eastern spiritual traditions, to provide insights into the many states of consciousness experienced by humans.

Blackmore begins by defining consciousness as the subjective experience of reality, and explores the various states of consciousness, including waking, dreaming, and altered states induced by meditation, drugs or sensory deprivation. She delves into the neuroscience behind consciousness, examining the role of various brain regions and neurotransmitters in producing different states of consciousness.

The book also explores various spiritual traditions that use meditation as a means of altering consciousness. Blackmore investigates the effects of long-term meditation on the brain and the cognitive changes that occur as individuals achieve deeper levels of states of consciousness through the practice.

Throughout the book, Blackmore emphasizes the importance of empirical research as a means of understanding consciousness. She discusses various studies that have been conducted to investigate the nature of consciousness, and proposes new theories of consciousness based on these findings.

Overall, States of Consciousness: Experimental Insights into Meditation, Waking, Sleep and Dreams is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of consciousness, offering a comprehensive overview of the research in the field up until the time of its publication. Description by ChatGPT.