PNSE PROTOCOL 

Based on
https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2021-81896-001.html

Key Concepts:

1. nNSE (No Non-Symbolic Experience): Participants who did not experience any non-symbolic states during the study.
2. tNSE (Temporary Non-Symbolic Experience): Participants who had transient non-symbolic experiences during the study.
3. ONE (Ongoing Non-Symbolic Experience): Participants who achieved persistent non-symbolic states lasting less than one year.
4. PNSE (Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience): Defined in prior research as non-symbolic states lasting one year or more.

Locations on the PNSE/ONE Continuum:

The study identifies four main "locations" representing increasing degrees of persistent self-transcendence:

Location 1:

• Reduced influence of narrative self
• Sense of not being limited by physical body
• Background sense that "everything is fundamentally fine"
• Some negative emotions still present

Location 2:

• Further reduction in narrative self and self-referential thoughts
• Deepening sense of fundamental wellbeing
• Fewer negative emotions
• Emergence of nondual perception (softening of self/other boundaries)

Location 3:

• Even less narrative self-related thought
• Near-constant experience of positive meta-emotion (e.g. compassion, joy, love)
• Rare experience of negative emotions
• Sense of deep connectedness/union

Location 4:

• Complete absence of narrative self-related thought
• No experience of emotion
• Profound nonduality and present-moment immersion
• Sense of life simply unfolding without personal agency

Progression typically occurs sequentially through these locations, though individual experiences may vary.

Guide based on the study's findings:

1. Daily Practice (2.5-3 hours total):

a) Morning routine (30 minutes):
- 10 minutes: Gratitude exercise
- 10 minutes: Goal reaffirmation (focus on positive program outcomes)
- 10 minutes: Creative visualization for a great day ahead

b) Core meditation practice (1-1.5 hours):
Week 1-2: Modified Vipassana body scan
Week 3-4: Headless Way exercises
Week 5-6: Modified Actualism practice
Week 7-8: Mantra meditation
Week 9-10: Experience noting and subtle noting
Week 11-12: Unified Mindfulness techniques

Rotate through these techniques, spending about 2 weeks on each. This allows you to experience a range of approaches and find what resonates most.

c) Loving-kindness practice (30 minutes):
Generate and experience love for people in your life.

d) Evening routine (30 minutes):
- 10 minutes: Gratitude reflection
- 10 minutes: Forgiveness practice
- 10 minutes: Positive intent for all beings

2. Weekly practices:

- Perform 5 acts of kindness (not for self-benefit)
- Write an ideal self eulogy
- Write a gratitude letter to someone important in your life

3. Bi-weekly practice (every two weeks):

Small group awareness exercise: Meet with 3-5 others to practice experiencing and describing awareness (1 hour)

4. Monthly intensive (1 day):

Dedicate one full day each month to intensive practice, cycling through all techniques learned.

5. Continuous mindfulness:

Throughout the day, practice being present and aware, noting experiences and sensations as they arise.

6. Study and reflection:

Spend 30 minutes daily reading and reflecting on non-dual teachings. Suggested authors: Rupert Spira, Adyashanti, Eckhart Tolle.

7. Lifestyle adjustments:

- Minimize exposure to negative media
- Prioritize sleep and healthy nutrition
- Engage in regular physical exercise
- Cultivate supportive relationships

8. Progress tracking:

Keep a daily journal of your experiences, noting any shifts in perception, emotion, or sense of self. Review weekly to observe patterns and progress.

9. Periodic self-assessment:

Every month, reflect on where you might be on the PNSE/ONE continuum. Look for signs of reduced narrative self, increased wellbeing, shifts in emotional patterns, and changes in perception of self/other boundaries.

Techniques Employed:

1. Modified Vipassana Meditation: A body awareness practice focused on observing bodily sensations. Reference: "Mindfulness in Plain English" by Bhante Gunaratana
2. Small-group Awareness Exercise: Practicing experiencing and describing awareness with others. Reference: "Awareness Games" by Brian Tom O'Connor
3. Loving-Kindness (Metta) Meditation: Generating feelings of love towards others. Reference: Sharon Salzberg's courses on loving-kindness at www.sharonsalzberg.com
4. Headless Way: A set of experiments designed to shift perception of self. Reference: www.headless.org for free resources and courses
5. Modified Actualism: A technique focused on cultivating felicity and harmlessness. Reference: www.actualfreedom.com.au for background information
6. Mantra Meditation: Using sacred sounds or phrases for concentration. Reference: Transcendental Meditation (www.tm.org) offers a similar approach
7. Experience Noting: Mentally labeling experiences as they arise. Reference: Joseph Goldstein's teachings on noting at www.dharma.org
8. Subtle Noting: A more refined version of experience noting. Reference: Shinzen Young's teachings on www.shinzen.org
9. Unified Mindfulness: A comprehensive system of mindfulness techniques. Reference: www.unifiedmindfulness.com for courses and resources
10. Positive Psychology Exercises: Including gratitude practices, acts of kindness, goal-setting, and creative visualization. Reference: "Flourish" by Martin Seligman for an overview of positive psychology techniques