Holotropic states (a large s cial subgroup of nonordinary states of consciousness) have been the focus of many elds of modem se ch, such ex riential psychotherapy, clinical d laboratory work with psychedelic subst ces, field thropology, th atology, and therapy with individuals undergoing psychospiritual crises ("spiritual emergencies"). This rese ch h generated a plethora of extraordinary observations that have undermined some of the most fundamental sumptions of modem psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy. Some of these new findings seriously challenge the most b ic philosophical tenets of Weste science conce ing the relationship tween matter, life, d consciousness. This a icle summ izes the most impo ant major revisions that would have to made in our understanding of consciousness and of the human psyche in health d disease to accomodate these conceptual challenges. These eas of ch ges include: a new understanding d ca ography of the human psyche; the nature d chitecture of emotional d psychosomatic disorders; thera utic mechanisms and the process of healing; the strategy of psychotherapy d self-exploration; the role of spirituality in human life; and the nature of reality. Keywords-mysticism, natu of reality, nonordinary states of consciousness, psychotherapy