Synthesis:Emergent Modalities

What we call Emergent modalities covers a wide range of different practices and approaches. Since the present page belongs to the "synthesis" layer, it adopts a tentative system (in-progress) according to levels and targets of practice, based on the Multidimensional Framework, which aims to help accomodate both emic and etic practices and perspectives, and integrate traditional and non-traditional terms and views while using hopefully neutral and descriptive language.

Individual level

Breathing exercises

Exemples of traditional practices involving breathing exercises include, g-Tummo Breathing, Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya Yoga. More recently developed protocols are also common (e.g. Grof Breathwork, Wim Hof Breathing...), while some clinical approaches also incorporate breathing exercises like cardiac coherence, usually for relaxation and health benefits rather than to induce EPEEs. From a general health perspective, nose breathing is better than mouth breathing. These approaches can be more or less intense, and more intense breathing exercises, sometimes collectively referred to as High Ventilation Breathwork Practices (HVB), can induce profound modulations of experience.

Note that such approaches can be dangerous and contraindicated for individuals with certain conditions such as neurological, respiratory, or cardiovascular diseases, epilepsy, mental health issues (e.g. PTSD, anxious tendencies, or panic disorders), pregnancy, and more. This is especially the case of more forceful approaches, in particular when combined with e.g. cold water immersion, as in the case of the Wim Hof Method. It should always be made evident that any practitioners attempting to practice HVB alone must be in a safe environment, especially away from water, hard surfaces or anywhere and any situation in which HVB risks harm to oneself or others, and particularly where fainting could prove fatal. Please consult with a doctor before you engage in such practices.

Dietary approaches

Fasting

Heat and Cold

Cold exposure, Sweat Lodge, Sauna.

Individual practices involving mostly mental activities

Recently, some authors have proposed that an efficient alternative when attempting to characterize specific practice styles, is to let go their cultural embedding and type, and instead describe the actual internal gestures and their sequence involved, using a repertoire of structural terms, specifically: "Observe", "Release", "Stay Open", "Let Go", "Focus", "Apply", "Sustain", "Produce", "Imagine", "Create", "Prolong", "Move", "Place", "Maintain", — which can involve and infinite number of possible objects or subjects of "meditation" — which can then form a gestural "score" of sorts. This is a promising approach, yet, for our present purposes we will mention a few common types of such practices.

Épochè

Meditation — Meditative and contemplative practices can be found in the world's religious and spiritual traditions, and beyond into secular and even clinical contexts. It is thus virtually impossible to list all of them.

Hesychasm

Vipassanā Meditation — The Hierarchy of Vipassana Practice; Stage-related recommendations

Prayer

Individual practices involving an external technology, contraption, or support

Electric stimulation

Floatation tanks

Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy)

Lectio divina

Listening to a recording of a text

Neurofeedback

Olfactory Epithelium Stimulation with odorless air at a frequency of 0.05Hz

Visual stimulation

3 Hz visual flicker stimulation

10 Hz visual flicker stimulation

Movement-based practices

TaKeTiNa

Yoga

Musical or rhythmic practices

Chanting

Listening to music

Sama'a

Shamanic drumming

Pharmacological approaches

Psychoactive substances

1P-LSD

2C-B

5-MeO-DMT (e.g. Synthetic, Toad, Yopo)

Ayahuasca

Buspirone

Carvedilol

Clonidine

Cocaine

D-Amphetamine

Dextromethorphan

D-Methamphetamine

Doxazosin

DMT

Ergotamine

Ethanol

Heroin

Ibogaine

Kambô

Ketamine

Ketanserin

Lactose

LSD

Mazindol

Mannitol

Mescaline

Methylphenidate

MDA

MDE

MDMA

Modafinil

Naltrexone

Niacin

N, N-DMT(ayahuasca)

Pindolol

Psilocybin

Reboxetine

Salvia Divinorum

Salvinorin-A

THC

Triazolam

Sensory deprivation

Ganzfeld

Ganzfeld (brown auditory noise)

Ganzfeld (green)

Ganzfeld (red)

Ganzfeld (violet auditory noise)

Ganzfeld (white auditory noise)

Relational practices and approaches

Hypnosis

Conducting hypnosis on others

Group practices and approaches

Liturgy

Kirtan

Environmental practices and approaches

Approaches involving the Natural Cycles

Meditating on the elements (Fire, Water, Earth, etc.)

Approaches involving natural features of Geography or Geology (Sacred mountains, Water stretches, etc.)

Approaches related with Fauna and Flora (e.g. Forest bathing or Shinrin Yoku, ...)

Approaches related with cosmic elements and Cosmic Influences (Sun Dance, Sky gazing, ritual calendars related with cosmic events [like Vesak, the liturgical year, Christmas, the Solstices, ...], etc.)