Hypersanity is a concept introduced by psychologist [R.D. Laing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._D._Laing) in his book, [*The Politics of Experience and the Bird of Paradise*](https://openlibrary.org/books/OL5569488M/The_politics_of_experience_and_The_bird_of_paradise), and subsequently [developed](https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/hypersanity/) by psychologist Neel Burton. Conventional psychotherapy pursues a process in which a mentally unwell patient strives toward an outcome of sanity. In contrast, Laing formulates sanity as a social construction that mediates a behavioral norm. Thus, perceived insanity exists on opposing ends of a spectrum. On one end is neurochemical malfunction, on the other end is the dissolution of ego and the [[emergence]] of a higher form of perceiving the world. Laing refers to behavioral norms imposed by the standards of the day as "pseudo-sanity." This is the type of [[psychology]] studied by Freud. Numerous influential individuals have experienced madness as a threshold toward elevated forms of thought. Carl Jung's *[Red Book](https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/red-book-of-carl-jung/the-red-book-and-beyond.html)* distills this type of experience through writings captured during his "confrontation with the unconscious." Jung attributes the clarity of his later work to this period.[^1] Jung's experience formulated his theory of a "matrix of mythopoeic imagination" obfuscated by reason. Psychosis is the descent into this matrix. Hypersanity is the individual who re-emerges from it. [Diogenes of Sinope](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes) is an earlier example. He adopted the concept of *[[parrhesia]]*, direct and free speaking, to an extreme form of uninhibited thought or speech. Diogenes pursued a rational demonstration of public non-conformity as a challenge to the unreasoning behavior of Athenians. Though perceived as mad by his contemporaries, stories of his behavior demonstrate consistent logic. A common [experience in meditation](https://sashachapin.substack.com/p/5-meo-dmt-a-review-by-a-confused) is the de-emphasis and even disposal of the ego layer of the personality, the prevailing inner narrative that confines [[the self]] to a specific set of identity traits, appropriate feelings, and social behaviors. Hypersanity may be the ability to see the [[paradigms]] that condition the personality once this layer is discarded. "Normality" is a form of suffering, characterized by a restricted worldview, confused priorities, stress, [[anxiety]] and self-deception. In contrast, hypersane people are calm, collected, and constructive in their pursuits. >[!quote] Neel Burton >...if there is such a thing as hypersanity, the implication is that mere sanity is not all it’s cracked up to be, a state of dormancy and dullness with less vital potential even than madness. "Sanity" is, at best, a form of [[ecological rationality]] within a civilizational context. Sane people accept the norms provided by society. They lack [[agency]] in forming their own governing principles, scope or range of thought, and often become trapped in a system that becomes arbitrary as it fails to evolve. Hypersanity is an ability to perceive how things "truly" are and respond to them effectively. This presents, perhaps, a certain [[paradox]] in the connotation of hypersanity as an elevated state of awareness, as it actually involves going much deeper into the forms of suffering that bring it about. Critically, there appears to be no extant means of attaining hypersanity without experiencing some form of suffering. The *[Allegory of the Cave](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69F7GhASOdM)*, enlightenment of the Buddha, or kundalini awakening all describe some form of suffering that bring about elevated states of awareness. It is possible that many hypersane people prefer the autonomy bestowed by anonymity, and therefore a method has not been widely disseminated. Psychedelics may be a less dangerous and less damaging doorway than psychotic breaks. [^1]: Jung, C. G. (1963). _Memories, dreams, reflections._ Crown Publishing Group/Random House.