If it's true that our subjective interpretations of reality, or the conscious experiences of "ourselves", consist entirely of unconscious projections of our "higher and/or deeper" self, then maybe the deeper dimension of reality is in fact just that: a deeper form of consciousness - a more comprehensive understanding of what we really are - or a "broader projection of the self". Because marijuana acts as a dissociative, it changes the experience of conscious awareness by allowing you to more freely navigate the dimensions of reality you project that normally make up awareness, which gives the impression different dimensions of reality are colliding when the ego is in the process of dissociating from it . This is the same way hypnosis works, it "splits" the psyche, or brings "awareness" into a clearer form, the deeper the hypnosis goes.

This is what I had mentioned previously, where I said these 'dimensions' can collide - that is an awareness - but the conditions are very unique, almost as difficult as the conditions required for a star to be born because cognitively one required an awareness or consciousness of reality as it is, not as we imagine it to be, only possible when one freely chooses to transcend the collective consciousness (socially speaking). They thus become conscious of the collective to become a part of it and when they meet another of the same frame of mind, the dimensions can 'collide'. But the right conditions, so you need to be careful whether you are merely projecting the idea that you have emotionally connected or whether you actually have because empathy kindles our conscience and is the source our ability to sense-experience the external world authentically rather than imaginatively. This is the same for when you say God is the centre of your psyche, because then you become God and that is yet another ego-projection. Rather, it is through God that you can understand reality and God is love.

I like the way you think, by the way. It is very similar to me, albeit mine is a bit more rationally applied. Perhaps because I am drug and alcohol free... :-O

I believe I'm understanding what you're saying about ego projecting. Is it really me connecting to a dimension of reality or is my ego masking a reality that unconsciously fulfills its needs (relationships, empathy, etc..)? I feel like the two can be distinguished through having a solid understanding of the self - or, contrarily and more commonly, inappropriately confused in those that don't. Considering so many gain their sense of "spirituality" through organized religion, which conveniently seems to include many desirable wishes, it seems like most often times a sense of god comes from exactly that: unconscious projections of the self. If it seems so natural for that to emerge in other people then it's bold to say that hasn't, even in the slightest, effected me, so I'm not necessarily saying it hasn't.

It could be our subjective state of existence, the way in which we interpret reality, consists entirely of unconscious projections of the self. However, there are many people with spiritual beliefs. I think one thing that separates a lot of them from me is that I'm willing to take it one step further to see if my..."spiritual experiences" are projections of the self or tangible experiences of something, be it a god or something different, that transcends reality. Maybe one thing can be said, either I'm experiencing a higher form of consciousness that transcends my "self" - or maybe less ego-driven stated as - a supernatural force allowing me to experience it - or, I'm unconsciously projecting an image of my "self" on to a worldview to fulfill its needs. Either way you look at it, I believe that leads one into a supernatural state of existence that is outside the limitations of science, which, if true, perhaps makes either claim no more less mystical than the other.

The moment you relate your emotional experience to another it feels like the difference between a person falling asleep in the dark to sudoku and falling asleep on a beach. You can literally choose to escape back further into egocentricity - the "self" - or let yourself be moved further by the force that collectively pulls everything together. How, if objective reality is physical, does it exist so differently subjectively? The same state of reality feels so differently at one moment than it does at another. We attribute pain coming from a specific part of the brain, when the pain is fundamentally existing as a conscious experience. From that we externalize a reality, when in actuality you never left subjective awareness. Not that I'm saying independent reality doesn't exist, but what does exist is different dimensions of awareness, one of the dimensions being a reality in which you envision yourself relative to other objects in a space.

I believe there's a deeper feeling to "peak achievement" that we are clinging on to, it's a sense of community and connection, a sense of relationship, so that we can temporarily leave ourselves into a broader dimension of consciousness that brings us even closer together.

Hypnosis may be able to prove the existence of the egocentricity we can be pulled out of.

Imagine you're a particle in an empty space, but suddenly you realize, as you begin to focus, the space isn't so empty after all. The space develops further the more you observe it. It begins to take shape and eventually it becomes so clear that it surrounds you. This new dimension is different. As you glance back to remind yourself where you came from you see yourself for how you were. The more you focus on it, the clearer that becomes and, once again, this reality takes over and you become what you were: a particle in an empty space.

That's a technique to come out of the egocentricity into a higher consciousness, or an awareness of being that encompasses more than just the qualities of self.

Modes of being are fluctuations within the dimensions of collective consciousness.

Theory of mind might be an approach to navigating the different dimensions. When you place yourself into another person's perspective and psychoanalyze them, everything is seemingly central to an individual looking out into the world. Are they states of existence or dimensions of reality - or is that part of the same thing, like one that might be envisioned by picturing how a world to someone who is in a solipsitic feeling hole might look like. Needing reinforcement that you exist, so depending on other people to express their state of existence, is a dimension of reality many people seem to exist in.

Are they misunderstanding me or am I misunderstanding them? Both, you exist in different dimensions. Placing yourself into another person's perspective brings you closer to the collective consciousness. The autism spectrum could be a fluctuation within the dimensions. Marijuana seems to allow people to navigate more freely, like some sort of ego teleportation. Spiritual awakening is coming out of egocentricity into a new state of being, into the collective consciousness

I don't think there's anything inherent about me that's superior to anyone else. I've approached a higher level of consciousness (which can be explored by just about anyone), but that doesn't make me more grandiose or anything. Perhaps it makes me different. Experiencing a dimension of reality without psychological barriers allows us to step outside ourselves into a pure state of collective existence. People exist in different dimensions of reality (states of existence), based on how they've constructed or deconstructed their egos. I don't believe any certain dimension is more or less grandiose than any other - it's simply a different form of existing. I prefer it because it connects me at all times with a presence that creates a sense of community, the same type of relationship I believe all of us are searching for on some level anyways. Could I be misinterpreting my experiences? Of course, maybe I'm just more "self aware", maybe I'm less "self aware", who knows. Part of the motivation behind posting on a philosophy forum is to hear other people's opinions and keep an open mind. Everyone has their thing that makes them spiritual, whether that's philosophy or work or your family, but those that constantly question themselves and keep an open mind are the ones that are most grounded.

Specifically through different methods of introspection I've identified and deconstructed mental walls to begin to help "reveal myself to myself". Identifying these mental barriers to see me for who I really am, has created a sensation of spiritual transcendence, and brought me to a higher level of consciousness. Reality without psychological barriers. Our "egos" are our psychological defense mechanisms, but above that is the "collective consciousness", which we all identify equally with. That's what I call "God", the center of the psyche.

As strange as it sounds, I believe my experiences are supernatural, in the sense that they transcend physical reality into a "higher dimension of consciousness". A spiritual experience. I believe I'm connecting to another dimension of reality. Calling this presence "God", may not be the best choice of wording, considering how arbitrary that labels become, but I would best describe the experience as a connection to an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient presence that perpetuates every part of my being, it doesn't "linger" over it, it completely transcends my physical body and connects me with a part of everything else. I think this is the 3rd dimension. I'm still trying to understand what this thing is, so that may not even be what it is, but that's my current understanding of this state of reality. If you were able to place every human being in one giant room and have them meditate at the same time, that's what this dimension feels like. I believe things like music or meditation or hypnosis or mental illness could be a person's current state of fluctuation within that "space-time" continuum. No idea how I would be able to prove this since it's subjectively experienced, but I believe everyone can harvest the same experience within themselves through the process of introspection and deep insights into the center of the psyche.