Everyone’s talking about this thing called ‘altering consciousness.’ But what does it all mean? Some say it means improving our IQ or memory or sleep patterns. Others think it is becoming psychic, meditating and levitating, or clairvoyance. Still others say it’s all about being able to roll with the punches- and be calm in the face of any storm. Perhaps it is all of this. I’m inclined to think that altering consciousness is shifting, at our core, our entire way of thinking and being in the world in order to live a better life.

If all of this is sounding very new-agey, that’s because it is.

For instance, when I speak of this you probably think of Echart Tolle and THE POWER OF NOW or A NEW EARTH. I bet you also consider THE SECRET and manifesting your dreams. You may think of an life-shifting course called The Landmark Forum. But you also may consider time-honored things like Yoga, meditation, Buddhism, and karma. I’ll bet some of you even bring to mind various world religions or even Christianity. I know when I think of ways to alter consciousness, I think of timeless quotes like “There but for the Grace of God Go I” and “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. ”

But as I personally think about this I suddenly realize… the desire to alter consciousness is not so new after all.

As a race, humans have desired to alter their consciousness for eons now. And we’ve had some great ideas. We’ve had the idea of living in peace and harmony with others. We’ve thought it would be great to have tolerance for others, good judgment, and a love for all. We’ve longed to help people instead of hurt them. We have actually contemplated what it would be like if all beings lived their lives in joy, happiness, and with a high level of life fulfillment. We’ve pondered a world where everyone on the planet was fed, clothed, and educated.

Honestly, altering consciousness is not such a new idea. So what is suddenly so all- fired important about it? Why does the idea of altering consciousness hit the media like an atom bomb and spread like wildfire? Here is my profound belief. Suddenly the whole idea of a new world order has become a possibility. We as a human race are actually ready to begin to try this idea out. We don’t say it’s probable. We don’t say it’s assured… but we do say- like the frenzied Gene Wilder in the movie Young Frankenstein- “THIS COULD WORK.” And such a thought has never occurred in the minds of so many masses of people, until now.

The question is, what will we do first? Will we kill ourselves off? Or will we actualize this possibility?

Well I’m an optimist. I’m looking to beat the clock on this issue. So in future articles I will help you explore various ways to alter consciousness, both for yourself and for the world at large. Some of the ways I will offer you are as old as Methusula. They may take practice, but they definitely work. Others, like brain entrainment, are new and purported to work quickly and with ease. So stay tuned as we explore a whole new look at some very old ideas. Namaste and peace to you and yours.