Why Altered States Are Not Enough: A Perspective from Buddhism

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perspective, equating Buddhist concepts with those from other traditions is misguided and produces interpretations that no longer represent Buddhism.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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Transpersonal psychology has at times employed Buddhist terminology in ways that do not reflect distinctions that underlie these tightly defined terms. From a Buddhist perspective, attempts to equate Buddhist terms with language from other traditions are misdirected, and produce results that no longer represent Buddhism. For example, it is an error to translate certain Buddhist terms as referring to a shared universal consciousness; Buddhism explicitly rejects this idea. Nor is it appropriate to assume that the generic, cross-traditional altered state of nondual awareness postulated in some transpersonally-related circles is in any way related to nirvana or other advanced states described within Buddhism. Buddhist practices are focused on the achievement of particular knowledge and capacities, not the attainment of altered states