Die Bestudering van gewysigde bewussynstate se moontlike bydrae tot die veld van kommunikasie: 'n Verkenning

Abstract

This explorative article is an attempt to focus attention on the paradigm shift in science that is occurring at present. The shift is the result of the clash between the traditional Western mechanistic approach and a more holistic world-view which also makes provision for direct, non-in tellectual experiences of reality. In the ordinary state of consciousness, for example, a person is ex pected to identify closely with his or her body image. In an altered state of consciousness (like deep medita tion) a person's identity can expand beyond the body image and encom pass other people or groups of people. Experiences of this kind can bring Instant intuitive knowledge that far exceeds the intellectual and educational background of the indi vidual. While identifying with an other person, one can gain access to that person's thoughts, feelings, physical sensations or memories. This holds implications for the com munication scientist. The possibility of viewing altered states of con sciousness as an additional source of Interpersonal communication knowledge and the implications of such additional knowledge for crea ting shared meaning are explored. It is proposed that the inclusion of al tered states of consciousness as a field of study, should be seriously considered by interpersonal com munication scientists