Holotechnica Stack Example
A complete example demonstrating the Holotechnica skill lifecycle for designing an endo-technology experience stack targeting sustained equanimity.
The Skill
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | equanimity-stack |
| Purpose | 30-minute standard stack targeting equanimity (altered trait) |
| Framework | Holotechnica (Smith, Museum of Consciousness) |
| Evidence | Theoretical (stacking methodology) + Moderate (individual ingredients) |
Stack Design
A 3-ingredient stack targeting equanimity as an altered trait (not just a temporary state):
| Order | Ingredient | Duration | Evidence Level | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breathwork | 10 min | Well-established | Autonomic regulation |
| 2 | Body Scan | 10 min | Well-established | Interoceptive awareness |
| 3 | Silence | 10 min | Moderate | Integration, non-doing |
Transition Design
Each transition is guided (not abrupt):
- Breathwork → Body Scan: "Let the breath find its natural rhythm as attention moves to the body..."
- Body Scan → Silence: "Release the scanning. Let awareness rest without an object..."
Research Basis
Evidence level: Theoretical (stacking) + Moderate (ingredients)
Holotechnica stacking methodology is theoretical — developed by Carl Hayden Smith at the Museum of Consciousness. The hypothesis is that combining endo-technologies in deliberate sequences can cultivate altered traits (Goleman & Davidson 2017), not just altered states. Individual ingredients (breathwork, body scan) have moderate to well-established evidence bases. The combinatorial effects of stacking have not been independently validated.
Additive Contraindication Logic
The stack inherits contraindications from ALL ingredients:
| Condition | Breathwork | Body Scan | Silence | Stack Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory issues | CAUTION | OK | OK | CAUTION |
| Active dissociation | RELATIVE | RELATIVE | OK | RELATIVE |
| Seizure disorder | ABSOLUTE | OK | OK | ABSOLUTE |
Rule: If ANY ingredient is contraindicated, the entire stack is contraindicated at that severity.
Safety Review: Passed
- Stacking methodology labeled "Theoretical" throughout
- Individual ingredient evidence levels stated separately
- Additive contraindication logic applied
- Pharmaco-technologies HARD EXCLUDED
- Trait vs. state distinction maintained
- "May support" language (never "will produce")
- Grounding before and after stack
Quality Gates
| Gate | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ethics review | PASS | Theoretical label, no trait guarantees |
| Clinical review | PASS | Additive contraindications applied |
| Cultural review | PASS | Ingredients attributed to source traditions |
| Accessibility | PASS | Seated/lying modifications for all ingredients |
Try It
/holotechnica-stack "equanimity stack" --depth standard --trait equanimity
/holotechnica-stack "focus stack" --depth simple --trait focused-attention --duration 15
"Altered states are visits. Altered traits are where you live. Holotechnica builds the home."