"Our minds are all we have. They're all we have ever had and they are all we can offer others." - Sam Harris
The mind is our most valuable asset. Everything we experience occurs within the mind. How we interpret experiences often depends on our perception, which can be flawed. Optical illusions are probably the most elementary way to point out this fact, but when it comes to exploring the mind, these are mere childsplay. Experiences and how we interpret them are of a great deal of importance, especially when it comes to the inner exploration of a psychonaut.
A psychonaut is one who dares to delve into the lesser explored portions of their mind, by various natural or artificial means; to have experiences, make observations, identify what is hidden, integrate and improve what we find, and to generally push consciousness to its limits. For some, there is even the desire bring fourth a kernel of truth about the origin of consciousness itself.
It's astounding that the fact of consciousness is so apparent, yet we know so little about how it arose. Brain science and cognitive psychology can only tell us so much, at this point. We have a great many tools at our disposal medically for diagnosing and treating some physical aspects of the brain. Mentally, we have psychological theroies which trained individuals use in hopes to treat a troubled mind, in whatever fashion it might appear. The realm of science is coming along in learning more about the seat of consciousness, but we are still quite a long way off from knowing everything there is to know about the subject.
This is a problem that I believe will be solved one day; in that science will either come to that point, or take an alternate route which will make the question moot. Regardless, with the question of consciousness, everything it can do, and all of its intricacies; we still live in a time where it's compelling to ask such questions. For this, I say we are lucky. Though we are apt to wonder and crave answers, by not having them readily available, we are provided with a golden opportunity to develop the attitude of desire to do this exploration ourselves.
To me, this means that in each person there is a little philosopher living inside; with a curious nature to ask the big questions and an adventurous spirit to go out into the wilderness of mind. He might get lost along the way, perhaps endure hardship, but the goal of his exploration is pure and the need to make sense of it all is too strong to be deterred. For this adventure, he will undoubtedly need some implements along the way. This is why I have compiled a list of some of my own tools, in hopes that my own inner explorer will inspire your own. Bearing in mind that some of these methods might not be a good fit for everyone. This is why I must implore you to look at the list honestly and judge for yourself before undertaking any of these tasks. The choice is yours and yours alone.
Meditation
One of the least invasive methods of exploring your own consciousness is meditation. By focusing our mind on a fixed point, usually the breath, and allowing the mind to be present in the eternal moment, all the while not identifying with thought, we find that we create a space in which to experience being more fully.
This is a great way to distance yourself from ego enough to realize how petty and self-serving it can be. It wants to focus on what it wants, what it says you need, and what occurrences may arise from moment to moment. Ego is a dastardly little devil who can't help jumping from one thing to the next, in every moment of every day. With meditation, we can take a step back from his demands, which opens us up for a multitude of new experiences. Even as little as 10 minutes of meditation a day can do wonders for self-exploration.
Automatic Writing
Automatic writing might be familiar to you if you're into the paranormal or have ever seen The Sixth Sense. It is the act of putting pen to paper and allowing your hand to move freely, outside of your control. It is similar to the Ouija board experience, although that is typically a more collaborative act along the same lines. For many years it has been used for spiritual or esoteric practices, some people claim to have written entire books with this method, but its uses can actually be pretty practical.
When you get in a good flow and can get words or doodles to come out freely from your hand, without consciously moving yourself, you can start asking questions and creating a structure for your subconscious to express itself in a certain frame. I'm not suggesting that you will get fully realized answers, true answers, or even a full sentence. However, this practice certainly does help reveal something about what is going on in the curious soup of the unconscious mind, mediated by the subconscious expression.
Generally, this isn't expressed so much in the words or doodles you achieve, though it can be. Usually, it is more indicitive of an internal state. Does the pen move fast or slow? Is it calm or frantic? Is the hand writing heavy or light? All of these things can be indications of an underlying mental state which may point out some unacknowledged stress, anger, or other such emotion. Give it a try!
Lucid Dreaming
My favorite method is one which contains many others. For anyone who is unaware, lucid dreaming is the simple act of knowing that you are in a dream as the dream occurs. In this scientifically confirmed hybrid state of consciousness, we are given an opportunity to interact with our subconscious in a way that simply isn't possible in either a fully waking or fully dreaming state.
The act of lucid dreaming is inherently introspective, but it can be done without finding significance or profundities. Generally, one must seek activities within the dream which can foster such outcomes, but a great start is to meditate within a lucid dream. Even still, the average lucid dreamer will experience something revealing about themselves at some point, even if they aren't looking for it.
To achieve lucid dreams, you will find it helpful to keep a dream journal, do frequent reality checks, and you may choose to employ an induction technique. All of these are incredibly useful for exploration in themselves, even without going lucid. By journaling your dreams every day, you give yourself a chance to learn more about what is going on within yourself, as well it improves how well you remember your dreams so that you may remember even more in the future. The reality check is used to make you question reality and prove which reality you are in, as well this transfers over to your dream habits and helps you become aware in your dreams. However, simply allowing yourself to question reality provides a moment of actually being in the here and now, which is always helpful. Lastly, the induction techniques can help you in a couple of ways. Some techniques, such as MILD, have autosuggestion qualities which can allow you an opportunity to see how such things affect the mind. Other techniques, known as WILDs, afford you the experience of going from a waking state, directly into a dreaming state. Even if your attempt at mind-awake, body-asleep fails, you will still be able to learn about how the brain signals the body to check if the mind is asleep, not to mention hypnagogic halluncinations-- incredibly interesting!
Marijuana
Though its uses are often recreational, it has some value for mental exploration. There's probably not a lot that I could tell you about it that you don't know yourself, but here are a few pointers for how to set a more explorative tone. Use it alone and allow some time for reflection. I recommend creative tasks, even if it's just writing down your thoughts, sketching a picture, or playing with an instrument. I've had some amazing experiences with meditaiton while under its influence, although this can sometimes be a distraction. Open eye meditation is recommended while high. Be advised, for some people these things can bring on anxiety or panic attacks if you get caught in a negative headspace.
Psychedelics
An area which requires more time, perhaps even a book. Everything needed to be said on this topic will never be enough, but I'll try my best to concisely express the basics. Psychedelics and their effects vary wildly between substances, doses, individuals, and separate doses between the same person. It can range from an elevated mood and unusal thought patterns, to new perspectives, profound perceptual changes, and even the crossing of senses, known as synesthesia.
How a trip goes depends quite a lot on Set and Setting. Put simply, be certain that you are in a good mindset both while doing the drug and beforehand. You want to be at a time in your life where you aren't incredibly stressed out and where you have plenty of free time to be unavailable. Trips can last several hours, time perception can make it feel like an eternity, and it will require some time for you to come back to normal and even longer to integrate your eperience.
On setting, be sure that you are somewhere safe, that you are comfortable being, and with people you trust. Have some activities to do that aren't digital and really try your best to foster a space which will allow you to be comfortably not yourself for a while. You might find it helpful to have a trip sitter, especially if it's your first time. A person who is completely sober and with you the whole trip is recommended for your first ever trip. If something should go wrong, it's always good to have someone who can take care of you or call 911 . Even if it's just a pat on the back, you'll be glad they're there. Trip sitters can also be on a lower dose, though this is for repeat experiences. Generally, it's good to be around someone who makes you feel good to be around, even if they're in the same state as you. Still, going it alone is an option once you feel comfortable.
I always, always, always lock away all of my knives and other things which can cause harm. You never know where your trip will take you. Be certain that someone knows what you are doing so that if they don't hear back from you for a long time, they can come check on you. If you're going it alone, I recommended a similar structure to when people are around, until you're comfortable with where you are it with it. Once you know how you are tripping alone, then I would say you are ready to try the classic Terrence McKenna method of 5g of mushrooms in silent darkness. Bear in mind that the dosage can be quite arbitrary as everyone's natural tolerance is different. By this point you will know what will take you far, so go big within reason. What matters here is a sufficient dose to have profound effects of whatever you're taking, and the fact that you will be left alone with your thoughts for the duration of the experience. This can be incredibly intense and is not for the faint of heart, prepare accordingly and know what calms you down. Try not to resist in all cases and go with the flow, knowing that the experience is temporary and merely an exploration into your inner depths.
