Altering Consciousness: Multidisciplinary Perspectives [2 volumes] - Hardcover

"These two very rich volumes are now necessary for anyone conducting research on the history of consciousness and its alterations. It remains a difficult topic, but these volumes will prove to be of great value for decades to come." - Religious Studies Review "Each essay includes excellent references; the set as a whole has an outstanding bibliography that covers the vast array of topics related to ASC. Skeptics are likely to be dismissive of this endeavor, but ASC research remains important, and a scholarly treatment is welcome. Summing up: Recommended." - Choice "In summary, Altering Consciousness: Multidisciplinary Perspectives edited by Cardena and Winkelman provides an invaluable resource for the professional engaged in research, teaching, or clinical work on consciousness, altered states, hypnosis, dreams, shamanic healing, and a variety of other areas. The work is definitive, setting a new standard for research by clarifying concepts and paradigms; comprehensive, touching on research across the broad spectrum of the humanities, the arts, and the sciences; and relevant, guiding the reader to the scientific and existential importance of current research on consciousness. I recommend this book as a must read for the professional, a must buy for the library, and a must read for the graduate student. My compliments to Cardena and Winkelman for assembling this vast crew and bringing the book to press." - PsycCRITIQUES "Cardena and Winkelman have produced two valuable collections on non-ordinary states of consciousness . . . There is much to learn here: no serious scholar of consciousness should be without these volumes on their shelf. " - Journal of Consciousness Studies

This authoritative, multidisciplinary overview of altered states of consciousness (ASC) shows how their study is necessary to gain a fundamental understanding of human culture, history, and biology. * Contains various illustrations in the two volumes * Presents a bibliography of representative references to the literature on altered states across various disciplines and languages * Provides convenient cross-referencing of subjects across chapters