WHAT ARE PEAK EXPERIENCES?
“All lasting change happens in an altered state.” –Tony Robbins
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Psychologist Abraham Maslow, father of the “peak experience” concept, pioneered the study of “positive psychology” by studying successful, functional people (unlike Sigmund Freud pioneered the study of dysfunctional people). One of the things Maslow discovered was that the people he studied seemed to all have had what he referred to as peak experiences.
Peak experiences, or what Brené Brown refers to as “God moments,” are rare transcendental pauses in life. Dave Pelzer, author of A Child Called It, calls these moments “tumblers.” Maslow believed these moments were more likely to be had by self-actualized people (or at least were more common among self-actualized people). 1 Peak experiences are intensely spiritual moments that one remembers forever, profound life-changing moments. They are considered to be intense moments in which time seems to stop, in which we feel our emotions more deeply than ever, and one frequently feels closely connected (to a lover, to nature, to God, etc). Many top-level athletes refer to peak experiences as “being in the zone.” I like to think of THIS zone as the opposite of ‘the comfort zone,’ which never pushes us but only coddles us.
In Maslow’s book Toward a Psychology of Being, he observed these elements were reported again and again by people who claimed to have had peak experiences:
- Sense of Unity of the Self
- Oneness With the Environment
- Experience of Peak Power
- Non-Forcing
- Self Determination
- Free of Inhibition
- Spontaneity
- Purposeless Creativity
- Timelessness
- Pinnacle of Individuality
- Merging of Self and Other
- Unmotivated by Needs
- Artistic Expression
- Sense of Completion
- Playfulness
- Surprise Happenings 2
Maslow felt that peak experiences were positive and welcome, I respectfully disagree. What if we were to combine Maslow and Freud’s thinking? Anyone who has ever been in a serious car accident, raped, or survived some other trauma knows that these moments are definitely peak experiences–they change our world views, are profound, and make us feel like we are in a vacuum and the rest of the world disappears. Unfortunately, highly traumatizing experiences are not more likely to be had by self-actualized people. Or are they?
IS TRAUMA A “PEAK EXPERIENCE”?
“One of the strongest signs of being ‘in the zone’ is a sense of freedom and of authenticity.” -Ken Robinson
It would be short-sighted not to wonder what brought the people Maslow studied to being self-actualized. The Wall Street Journal reported on a study of 400 extraordinarily high-achieving people. Researchers found that a disproportionately high number of them had experienced childhood trauma–75%! 3 While clearly not every abused child becomes a self-actualized high-achiever, many survive their situations by developing perfectionist tendencies (i.e. a child thinks, “Maybe if I never make a mistake my mom won’t have any reason to hit me any more.”)
ProspectTherapy.com asks, “What makes some people thrive after trauma, and others shrink? What often happens, is that the more successful people become, the less worthwhile they feel. Meaning, there is a need to chase achievement (validation, financial success, safety) that never really ends. When you get to one milestone, you’re already setting your sights on the next one.” 4 On the subject of peak experiences, it can get complicated separating the various roots of one’s drive or motivation to pursue the path of a spiritual virago. This is why deconstructing yourself is the first step in this journey. Are you reading this article because you are neurotically trying to bury your pain and dysfunction under a pile of trophies? Going to therapy and looking at your pain face-to-face can also be a life-changing peak experience that forever changes your life.
PEAK EXPERIENCES ARE THE KEY TO SPIRITUAL ADVANCEMENT
“It was a ‘God Moment’ that I shall never forget.” -Gayle Korczyk
In an academic paper entitled Trauma Recovery: A Heroic Journey, the authors write, “‘Rites of passage play a central role in preparing people to become emotionally, spiritually, and behaviorally ready for a heroic life’ (p. 3). Moving through the painful passage of trauma recovery may lead to improved functioning, psychological growth, and a deeper level of self–awareness (Bray, 2017).” 5 For those who process trauma like a peak experience, it may be seen simply as a rite of passage. Positive or negative, because of the life-changing nature of peak experiences, they are a crucial element in moving people forward on their spiritual paths.
However, there are definitely things that spiritual viragos and warriors can do to cultivate having more positive peak experiences. Take another look at the above list. For example, if one were to take up rock climbing (and, say, give up hanging out at the mall in its place), they are putting themselves in an atmosphere that is more likely to attract a peak experience (out in nature, challenging and trusting one’s self). Imagine the impact on the next generation if their mothers were booking midwives for drug-free home births (a guaranteed peak experience) instead of asking for epidurals or elective C-sections.
SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES FOR PEAK EXPERIENCES
“Most traders believe that ‘getting into the zone’ happens when you have a hot streak. I believe you can create the zone. The zone is a psychological state. It is when you are focused, disciplined, and fully engaged in the process at hand…trading in the zone will certainly increase your capacity to perform and succeed.” -Ari Kiev
Maslow felt that one was more likely to have peak experiences if they frequently made space in their lives for them. One of the most important deterrents for having peak experiences is modern distraction–such as the interruption experienced by getting a cell phone notification. Open the door in your life for more peak experiences by challenging yourself physically and mentally, trying new things, traveling to places outside your comfort zone (different cultures, different languages), setting aside off-the-grid time in nature, continually learning and studying new things, facing your fears, etc.
Maslow felt that one was more likely to have peak experiences if they frequently made space in their lives for them. One of the most important deterrents for having peak experiences is modern distraction–such as the interruption experienced by getting a cell phone notification. Open the door in your life for more peak experiences by challenging yourself physically and mentally, trying new things, traveling to places outside your comfort zone (different cultures, different languages), setting aside off-the-grid time in nature, continually learning and studying new things, facing your fears, etc.
A huge catalyst for having more peak experiences is believing in miracles. Breaking a new sports record or reaching the summit with a sprained ankle are miraculous…and also likely to be lived as peak experiences! Be aware of the reality of miracles! They happen everyday–seemingly impossible things. Every night when you sleep, play a subliminal messages recording (like the one to the left reading “Self-Motivation: Expecting a Miracle“) to attract more miracles to you.
LiveScience.com reports, “Scientists do know that subliminal messaging works in the lab. Researchers inserted a dozen frames of a Coca Cola can and another dozen of the word ‘thirsty’ into an episode of the TV show The Simpsons. Participants reported being an average of 27% thirstier after the viewing than they were before, whereas the control group was slightly less thirsty afterward, according to a 2002 study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology.” 6 The bottom line is that these subliminal message videos are free, and you certainly have nothing to lose by listening to them.
MEDITATION FOR PEAK EXPERIENCES
“The zone is a place that you rarely visit. It’s not some place you go every week. The zone is sacred ground.” -Joe Greene
Another way to allow more “breathing room” for peak experiences is with literal “breathing room” (i.e. meditation). As I was taught in Shambhala Level I training, meditation allows my “mental dust” to settle so I can perceive the universe more clearly. The universe is trying to send us messages constantly, but, unfortunately, most of us are so imprisoned by our programmed reactions and incessant thinking that we rarely receive them. Meditation is the cure.
If you’ve never meditated, or have only done it a handful of times, let’s talk about why. Boring? The silence is deafening? The stillness is maddening? Too busy? You can’t stop your “monkey mind”? Well, I have news? Spiritual warrior meditation (“Shambhala”) is supposed to be boring, maddening, & deafening! Silence and stillness insult the ego, and the ego is predominantly what blocks us from peak experiences (programmed reactions, incessant thinking). Reframe meditation as “training your mind.” This is why Buddhists say that they “practice Shambhala” or “practice mindfulness.” It’s no different than shooting hoops everyday to get better at basketball. Training our minds to be more receptive to peak experiences requires the same practice. It’s a discipline–mental exercise for spiritual fitness.
To do a Shambhala spiritual warrior meditation, sit upright with your legs crossed on a cushion on the floor or seated in a stiff chair with your feet flat on the ground. Let your hands naturally fall on to the top of your thighs and rest them there. Don’t lean on anything and relax your jaw. Keep your eyes open and soften your gaze. Spend at least 10 minutes in this position focusing on your breathing (just breathing normally). When a thought intrudes or your mind wanders, gently redirect your focus back to your breathing. Engage with the simplicity of being present.
Today’s world is race pace. We have almost no relationship with stillness at all. T.F. Hodge said, “When you’re in the zone of your purpose with passion…time stands still.” Well, that’s what Shambhala meditation is: time standing still. The right mindset for peak experiences is created when you train your mind with stillness and silence–when you deny your ego it’s programmed reactions and incessant thinking even just for a few minutes. Not only will spiritual warrior meditation help welcome in more peak experiences, but it will cause a confidence to grow. This type of mental training, of ego diet, is fighting on the frontlines of spiritual warriorship.
WRAP UP: PEAK EXPERIENCES
“The trouble with life is we never know when we are ‘in the zone’ until we think back, with jealous longing, years later.” -Robert Black
While the after-effects of having a positive peak experience are, of course, positive and have many reported benefits, traumatic peak experiences seem just as likely to lead to personal growth (referred to as “post-traumatic growth“). It all really depends on how you process the trauma after it happens…will you feel it fully, allow yourself to grieve, and work to heal the wound? Or will you deny the significance of the event, say “Oh, I’m fine,” and avoid processing it? As Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” If you have un-processed or half-processed early traumas, start by facing, fully feeling, and processing them. Peak experiences–good or bad–are one of, if not the most important, tools needed for spiritual growth.
PEAK EXPERIENCE QUOTES: POST & SHARE
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POST WRITTEN BY
S.N. is the founder of Spiritual Virago. She is a vegetarian 🥕 + bonafied geek 📚 + mama bear 👨👧 + investor 📈. This former NCAA Track & Field All-American 🏃♀️ enjoys line dancing & is addicted to Burt's Bees chapstick 💄Read her inspiring story. She offers spiritual coaching, trauma mastery coaching, & business coaching. S.N. is also a celebrated speaker and author. Her personal motto: "It's not the size of the woman in the fight. It's the size of the fight in the woman." 💪💯
📸 INSTAGRAM :: @SpiritualVirago
Footnotes
- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-peak-experiences-2795268
- https://www.diygenius.com/peak-experiences/
- https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-secrets-of-resilience-1510329202
- https://www.prospecttherapy.com/blog/2018/10/29/do-traumatic-childhoods-create-high-achieving-adults
- https://scholarship.richmond.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010&context=heroism-science
- https://www.livescience.com/does-subliminal-messaging-work.html
