[chaired]

My last "visionary episode" occurred a couple of weeks before the Higgs was confirmed, and the Higgs field featured very prominently in the visions. Compare this to how the Higgs must also have featured very prominently in the waking consciousnesses of the scientists working on it at the time, perhaps even in some of their dreams. But the way it appeared in their consciousness is considered more useful, and for a given set of values, it is.

Western industrial society loves the states of consciousness that are good for doing work and making money. It's pretty friendly towards drunkenness. It grudgingly and indifferently tolerates the states that are good for making popular music. It is terrified of pretty much all the others.

I refuse to use the word 'psychosis' because it is so disparaging. The visionary state itself was indescribably wonderful. The physical effects of not eating or sleeping for the duration were bad, but temporary and fairly easy to fix. The subsequent reactions of others, including and especially so-called professionals, were devastating and made my life a living nightmare for about 9 months.

I'm currently reading Trials of the Visionary Mind by psychiatrist John Weir Perry. His views match my experience. I feel the stigma in Western society around non ordinary states is extremely damaging. It may be good for "the machine" or whatever you want to call it, but I know for sure it is very damaging to the lives of affected individuals, and I don't think it's good for society at large.