Final answer:
Two naturally occurring altered states of consciousness are sleep, which involves reduced sensory awareness and dreams, and meditation, which brings about a state of focused awareness and can lead to profound relaxation or insight.
Step-by-step explanation:
Naturally occurring altered states of consciousness are experienced by individuals without the need for external substances. Two common examples of these states are sleep and meditation.
Sleep is a naturally occurring state that is characterized by a reduction in sensory awareness and physical activity compared to wakefulness. During sleep, particularly REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, we may experience dreams that are vivid and sometimes illogical, representing a distinct altered state of consciousness that everyone experiences on a daily basis. Deep sleep or slow-wave sleep also reduces our consciousness to a state that is substantially different from our waking life, contributing to various essential biological processes.
Meditation involves a deliberate focus and often aims to achieve a state of relaxed but heightened awareness. It is another form of altered state where the individual may experience a sense of peace, detachment, and sometimes encounters with what might be construed as a greater reality. Various forms of meditation can induce different experiences, some leading to profound insights, creativity boost, or deep relaxation.
Both sleep and meditation demonstrate the diverse spectrum of human consciousness and implicitly suggest that naturally occurring altered states are not only commonplace but are also integral to our psychological and physical well-being.