Dorthea Tanning, Ignoti Nulla Cupido, 1960
By labeling our ordinary state, the consensus consciousness, as “normal” we dismiss and disempower all other states of consciousness. This is clearly shown in the fact that we call them “altered” states, meaning that they are “merely” modifications of the ordinary waking state to which we ascribe “normalcy”. Sometimes they are collectively and pejoratively referred to as “irrational” states of consciousness, which suggests of course that the rational consciousness is the supreme standard of judgement.
-Georg Feuerstein
“The Twelve Steps of Spiritual Recovery”, The Deeper Dimensions of Yoga; 2003.