Ways to Achieve Mystical States Without the Use of Mind-Altering Substances

It is understandable why so many people, in this time in history, would want to enter a mystical or altered state of consciousness.  This is a very difficult time to be alive as fear is fed to us daily through various forms of media, there is more and more pressure to label yourself or choose a side or group politically, sexually, spiritually or culturally.  We are bombarded by too much information and too much stimulation.  

The majority of people who become addicted or dependent or abusive of mind-altering substances are those who have a history of abuse or trauma that keeps them in a fight or flight or depressed state and that they may want continual temporary relief from.  

Many are wondering what the purpose of their lives are and want to experience something richer, deeper and more meaningful than the mundane monotony of everyday life.  We are becoming more and more aware that there has to be something more to life than the worldly definitions of success that are programmed into us from an early age.  

However, there are many people who feel that the use of mind-altering substances is the best, quickest and only way to achieve that mystical state of consciousness.  Most people who regularly use mind-altering substances are looking for a feeling.  That feeling might be anything from escapism to energetic to ecstasy.  

Many are not aware that there are many methods to reaching mystical states of consciousness that don’t have to involve mind-altering substances and the side effects or potential harms that come with them.  So, I wrote this blog to document the other ways one can explore mystical experiences and metaphysical realms without necessarily having to use mind-altering substances.  For example, I have had many mystical experiences in life and I am as square as they come, never having used mind-altering substances for the purpose of entering a mystical state or altered state of consciousness.  I’ve never needed mind-altering substances to find mysticism in everyday life.   So, I have compiled a list of things that have or can lead to a mystical experience that don’t involve mind-altering substances (I put an * next the ways I have entered mystical experiences): 

Meditation* 
Kundalini Yoga* (and other forms of yoga) 
Massage* (especially craniosacral massage) 
Reiki Therapy* 
Use of crystals* 
Shamanic drumming* 
Music* 
Vision quests 
Prayer 
Dance 
Tai Chi 
Running 
Hiking 
Walking a labyrinth 
Dreaming* 
Hypnosis* 
Many other ways that I may not be aware of yet