Researching sub-cultural lifestyles: experiences of altered states of consciousness as personality transforming practice

ENThe present article discusses the personality transforming aspect of altered states of consciousness (ASC) as an element of certain culture and beliefs. The phenomenon of altered states of consciousness will he discussed as a certain alternative lifestyle uith the focus on the effects on one's consciousness, personality transformation, and the understanding of self-change. The article analyses the contemporary phenomenon of experiencing altered states of mind in Lithuania as well as the worldviews ami practices orientated towards achieving ASC. Anthropological research methods were used for collecting empirical research data. The research has been conducted in 201S-2017 (still continued). The research data consist of four interviews with the respondents related to experimenting or in other ways (even indirect, i. e. theoretical) involved in the practical achievement and/or theoretical interest in the phenomenon of ASC and seven in-depth interviews with the representatives of alternative medicine who discussed, during research, a general role of consciousness (not necessarily ASC) in the context of healing. Secondary data have been employed as well. The research outcomes demonstrate that the interest in altered states of mind is evoked by a wish for inner changes and the intention of expanding one's consciousness. The experiences of ASC are meant for the purposes of self-growth in the psycho-spiritual sense (e.g. renew all regaining (lost) inner energy or personality transforming action), not for entertainment.