How Consciousness Expands — Mysticism, Psychedelics, Ego Dissolution, and Near-Death States | Chapter 7 of Then I Am Myself the World
How Consciousness Expands — Mysticism, Psychedelics, Ego Dissolution, and Near-Death States | Chapter 7 of Then I Am Myself the World Chapter 7 of Then I Am Myself the World: What Consciousness Is and How to Expand It by Christof Koch explores states of consciousness that stretch far beyond the boundaries of ordinary waking experience. These transformative episodes—mystical illuminations, psychedelic journeys, and near-death phenomena—share a striking set of characteristics: ego dissolution, timelessness, heightened clarity, and a profound sense of unity with the world. Koch examines their neurobiological underpinnings, philosophical significance, and potential implications for Integrated Information Theory (IIT). Below is the full chapter video summary for those who prefer an audiovisual explanation. Here is the book cover associated with this chapter: The Universality of Transformative Consciousness Koch begins by acknowledging that humans across cultures and eras have re...