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Bimodal Consciousness
Arthur J. Deikman, MD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1971;25(6):481-489.
Abstract
The human organism has two basic modes of function: (1) the receptive mode oriented toward the intake of the environment, and (2) the action mode oriented toward manipulation of the environment. Both physiological and psychological dimensions are integrated in these modes. By utilizing this model we can understand a number of puzzling phenomena in the fields of attention, mystical perception, hallucinogenic drugs, and psychosis. Although states of consciousness associated with the receptive mode are often pejoratively labeled as "regressive" or "unreal," there is evidence for considering such modes of consciousness to be mature organismic options appropriate to particular dimensions of reality.
Author Affiliations
Denver
From the Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver. Dr. Deikman is currently with the Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Feb 22, 1971.
An earlier version of this paper was read before the Conference on Voluntary Control of Internal States, Council Grove, Kan, April 16, 1970.
Reprint requests to 15 Muir Ave, Mill Valley, Calif 94941.
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