In a rare form of transpersonal experience, consciousness expands to include the Earth in its totality. People who have these experiences are deeply moved by the notion of our planet as a cosmic unity. ~Stan Grof[^1]

When we stop seeing ourselves as separate entities in the universe and we become more and more connected with culture, language, art, love, and people, we begin to notice all the other beings around us. Our pets, wild animals, even insects; simply all creatures big and small on land and sea. We look further and see that even the plant life and environment around us are so filled with life and vibrant beauty that we no longer see any division amongst the diversity of the species we share our earth with. And maybe, if we have just a little more openness, we see this earth as not just the source of life or the place we live but as life itself, a living Gaia if you will.

We struggle with the idea that there might be life on other planets in other solar systems and in other universes. How big of a jump is it to include a living universe that our earth is a small part of? Think of the sun without which most if not all life on Earth would cease. Can something that gives us life be life as well? How can you give what you do not have? If we include our sun then we include all other suns. If we include all suns then all planets in the infinite universe as well. All the energy in the universe is conscious, C=E=mc2.

If you think this sounds a lot like panpsychism, you are completely correct. Please read more about that here.

This transpersonal connection we all share is not unique, it’s not a one-off, not by a long shot. It’s all the energy we all have and share with the space around us. It points us towards the possibility that we are not our bodies, that we have more in common with each other and with all living things than is commonly thought and taught in the West.

The real beauty here is that when it comes to how we understand the conscious energy that we share with others and our environment, we begin to change the quality of our experience in beautiful and profound ways. It is hard to imagine how one could hurt another or damage something in anger when we are so intrinsically connected with all that is. It would simply hurt too much to hurt another and ourselves at the same time. Professor Grof gives us the solution to our problems old and new, whether it’s poverty, the polluted environment, or the wars that have plagued our earth for millennia. We simply cannot afford to be so destructive any longer as the danger of irreparable harm to our planet or complete annihilation grows.

To become a transpersonal initiate we have several options. As anyone who knows Professor Stan Grof and his studies and experience with LSD, it’s not surprising that he has this view, as he has in the quote above. He took Albert Hofmann’s experiment to a whole new level. “If I am the father of LSD, Stan is the godfather. Nobody has contributed as much as Stan for the development of my problem child.”[^2] Professor Grof is however not the only one who has posited such a transpersonal idea. The Buddha taught that all living beings have the Buddha nature and that even subject, object, and actions are one and the same. This view that we all share the same qualities and that even the physical and subjective worlds are one is mind altering. He then prescribed different forms of meditation to his followers and in doing so founded the world’s most peaceful and fun way of life.

So what is it about the LSD experience and a meditation practice that can change us so profoundly?

Professor Grof says, “If integrated wisely into society, psychedelics could play a crucial role in addressing some of our most pressing issues by promoting mental health, fostering creativity, and encouraging a deeper sense of ecological and social responsibility.”[^3] If you want to know more about his personal research on this matter, I highly recommend reading “Gateway to the Numinous” for a more comprehensive and detailed account. Actually, it’s mind-blowing. It seems that an LSD expiernce can connect us to the numinous that is within us all as it is outside as well. This powerful tool shows us that we are one with everything, I know it sounds a little 60’s and flower power but it really does have this effect most who have used it.

I, however, believe that meditation is far superior to the experiences that LSD can give. Primarily because we need to be productive and functional in everyday life all the time and meditation supports this on a daily basis and in every part of the world without breaking any laws. “Turn on, tune in, and drop out” as Timothy Leary suggests is not the way to a better world.

A good friend who had lots of experience with both meditation and LSD once told me, “LSD can show you the door to mind if you don’t know where it is. But only meditation and the dharma can take you through the door to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.” The effects of LSD can be temporary but meditation and the dharma is lasting. An altruistic lifestyle needn’t be obtained in a synthetic or artificial way; a natural way is always better. Meditation requires only a small amount of daily time and our awareness in and of our experiences. Working for others as a Bhodisattva is the real key here. They are many and I am one.

In the laboratory of meditation, we apply the science of mind to our inner experience. We begin to see how karma and impermanence affect our interpersonal experiences. We learn to see that we create our world with our thoughts, then our intentions, and finally our actions. The impressions or memories we have in our mind leave lasting connections between ourselves and everything we interact with. Because of this, we need to live more in touch with others and the environment around us. In short, if our life is full of weeds it’s because we planted them and we need to take responsibility for them before they overtake the garden. Let’s plant beautiful flowers and edible healing plants for all to enjoy instead.

The Buddha Dharma offers us a simple and holistic approach to everyone no matter our age or situation. Let’s not just be individuals going about our own lives, let’s be inclusive and compassionate with all life around us big and small, simple and complex. Let’s reacquaint ourselves with our inborn cosmic unity. Above all let’s bring meaningful behavior back into style.

QP

[^1]: Stanislav Grof, A Holotropic Mind.
[^2]: Stanislav Grof, Realms of the Human Unconscious: Observations from LSD Research.
[^3]: Stanislav Grof, Psychology of the Future: Lessons from Modern Consciousness Research.