S-A-L-V-I-A
Level -1 "S stands for SUBTLE effects." A feeling that "something"
is happening, although it is difficulty to say just what. Relaxation
and increased sensual appreciation may be noted. This mild level is
useful for meditation and may facilitate sexual pleasure.
Level - 2 "A stands for ALTERED
perception." Colors and textures are paid attention to. Appreciation
of music may be enhanced. Space may appear of greater or lesser
depth than is usual. But visions do not occur at this level.
Thinking becomes less logical, and more playful; short term memory
difficulties are may be noted.
Level - 3 "L" stands for LIGHT visionary
state." Closed eye visuals (clear imagery with eyes closed: fractal
patterns, vine like and geometric patterns, visions of objects and
designs). The imagery is often two dimensional. If open eyed visual
effects occur these are usually vague and fleeting. At this level
phenomena similar to the hypnagogic phenomena that some people
experience at sleep onset occur. At this level visions are
experienced as "eye candy" but are not confused with reality.
Level - 4 "V stands for VIVID visionary
state." Complex three dimensional realistic appearing scenes occur.
Sometimes voices may be heard. With eyes open contact with
consensual reality will not be entirely lost, but when you close
your eyes you may forget about consensus reality and enter
completely into a dreamlike scene. Shamanistic journeying to other
lands, foreign or imaginary; encounters with beings, entities,
spirits; or travels to other ages may occur. You may even live the
life of another person. At this level you have entered the shaman's
world. Or if you prefer you are in "dream time." With eyes closed
you experience fantasies (dream like happenings, with a story line
to them). So long as your eyes are closed you may believe they are
really occurring. This differs from the "eye candy" closed eye
imagery, of level 3.
Level - 5 "I" stands for IMMATERIAL
existence." At this level consciousness remains and some thought
processes are still lucid, but one becomes completely involved in
inner experience and loses all contact with consensual reality.
Individuality may be lost; one experiences merging with Goddess,
mind, universal consciousness, or bizarre fusions with other objects
real or imagined, e.g. merging with a wall may be experienced. At
this level it is impossible to function in consensual reality, but
unfortunately some people do not remain still but move around in
this befuddled state. For this reason a sitter is essential to
ensure the safety of someone voyaging to the inner levels. To the
person experiencing this, the phenomenon may be terrifying or
exceedingly pleasant; but to an outside observer the individual may
appear confused or disoriented.
Level 6 - "A stands for AMNESIC effects "
At this stage either consciousness is lost; or at least one is
unable to later recall what one is experiencing. The individual may
fall, or remain immobile or thrash around; somnambulistic behavior
may occur; injuries can be sustained without pain being felt; on
awakening the individual will have no recollection of what he/she
did, experienced or said in level 6. People cannot ever recall what
they experience in this very deep trance state. This is not a sought
after level as later nothing can be recalled of the experience.