Why Altered States Are Not Enough: A Perspective from Buddhism
Hartelius, Glenn, Berkhin, Igor
Transpersonal psychology sometimes borrows Buddhist terms without respecting the precise distinctions those terms carry within Buddhist doctrine. From a Buddhist perspective, equating Buddhist concepts with those from other traditions is misguided and produces interpretations that no longer represent Buddhism. For instance, translating certain Buddhist terms as referring to a shared universal consciousness is an error because Buddhism explicitly rejects that idea. It is also inappropriate to assume that the generic, cross-traditional altered state of nondual awareness posited in some transpersonal circles relates to nirvana or other advanced Buddhist states. Buddhist practices aim at achieving specific knowledge and capacities, not altered states.