Jeffery Martin: The Fundamental Wellbeing of Non-Symbolic Experience

I was initially attracted to the work of Dr. Jeffery Martin after discovering his book The Finders. I love the concept of seeking vs. finding. If you are unhappy in life, you are more likely seeking rather than finding. Of course, finding can be just as problematic, like joining a cult or abusive relationship. But Martin focuses on positive, alternative states of consciousness.

Dr. Jeffery Martin is a social scientist and researcher who has been studying non-symbolic states of awareness for over 15 years. He is the founder of the Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness (CSNSC), an independent academic research center that is dedicated to the study of ongoing forms of non-symbolic experience, known as Ongoing or Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience (PNSE).

PNSE is described as a type of consciousness that is characterized by a lack of symbolic representation. This means that people who experience PNSE do not experience the world through the usual lens of language, concepts, and symbols.

Dr. Martin's research has shown that PNSE is a real and measurable phenomenon. He has interviewed hundreds of people who have experienced PNSE, and he has developed a number of tools for assessing the presence and extent of PNSE.

Dr. Martin's research has also shown that PNSE can have a profound impact on people's lives. People who experience PNSE often report feeling a sense of peace, well-being, and connection to the world. They also report experiencing a greater sense of creativity, compassion, and wisdom.

Dr. Martin's work is important because it provides a scientific foundation for understanding non-symbolic states of awareness. His research has helped to dispel the myth that PNSE is a purely religious or spiritual phenomenon. Instead, he has shown that PNSE is a natural and universal human experience that can be studied and understood through the lens of science.

To me, this is all very zen (in a good way), and a related Psychlinks discussion starting in 2004 is here:


Below is Martin's PNSE Continuum:




Flow Experiences

The continuum reminds me of Csíkszentmihályi's flow experiences. As Martin Seligman says about flow experiences, you don't need self-consciousness or emotion in such a state:

"Consciousness and emotion are there to correct your trajectory; when
what you are doing is seamlessly perfect, you don't need them."
~ Martin Seligman, Authentic Happiness

On the opposite end of the spectrum would be a runaway consciousness that is painfully self-referential, as with depression or pathological guilt in OCD.

Flow and Non-Symbolic Experiences

Flow and non-symbolic experiences are two distinct types of consciousness that have been studied by psychologists and philosophers for many years. Flow experiences are characterized by a state of intense focus and enjoyment, while non-symbolic experiences are characterized by a sense of unity with the world around us.

Flow experiences are relatively common and can occur during a wide range of activities, from sports to artistic pursuits. When we are in a flow state, we are fully absorbed in the activity at hand and our sense of self-awareness fades away. We become completely focused on the task at hand and lose track of time. Flow experiences are often associated with feelings of joy, satisfaction, and creativity.

Non-Symbolic Experiences

Non-symbolic experiences are much rarer than flow experiences and may require specific practices or conditions to induce them, such as meditation, psychedelic substances, or spiritual practices. When we have a non-symbolic experience, we lose our sense of self and feel a sense of unity with the world around us. These experiences are often described as being blissful, peaceful, and transformative.

Psychological Effects of Flow and Non-Symbolic Experiences

Both flow and non-symbolic experiences have been associated with positive psychological outcomes. Flow experiences have been linked to increased well-being, creativity, and personal growth. Non-symbolic experiences have also been linked to transformative experiences, in which individuals report a fundamental shift in their worldview, identity, and values.

Conclusion

While flow and non-symbolic experiences share some similarities, they are distinct phenomena with different characteristics, frequencies of occurrence, and psychological effects. Flow experiences are more common and involve a state of intense focus and enjoyment, while non-symbolic experiences are rarer and involve a sense of unity with the world around us. Both types of experiences can have positive psychological effects, but non-symbolic experiences may be particularly transformative.

In summary, while flow experiences and non-symbolic experiences share some similarities, they are distinct phenomena with different characteristics, frequencies of occurrence, and psychological effects.

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