{"id":8847,"date":"2024-09-22T06:08:28","date_gmt":"2024-09-22T10:08:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/what-is-it-how-to-achieve-it\/"},"modified":"2024-09-22T06:08:28","modified_gmt":"2024-09-22T10:08:28","slug":"what-is-it-how-to-achieve-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/what-is-it-how-to-achieve-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is It & How to Achieve It"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

Remember the last time you sat alone in a park? The breeze rustled the trees, but you no longer feel like the person you are. You actually feel like a part of everything around you, no longer tethered to the noise of daily life.<\/p>\n

In that moment, it\u2019s as if the boundaries between you and the world dissolve. That feeling of going beyond the body, temporarily losing your usual grip on your identity, is the essence of spiritual transcendence.<\/p>\n

Maybe you\u2019ve had only a single moment like this. Or maybe you\u2019ve had a few that you consider yourself a transcendence rookie.<\/p>\n

Either way, if you\u2019ve wondered if spiritual transcendence is real or just a trick played by your mind, it\u2019s time to walk the path where spirituality and science intersect\u2026 and understand the root of it all.<\/p>\n

What is spiritual transcendence?<\/h2>\n

Spiritual transcendence isn\u2019t just about self-discovery; it\u2019s about expanding beyond your personal limitations. In this state, you can recognize your place in the grander scheme of things. Spirituality<\/a> 101, if you will.<\/p>\n

When you call an experience \u201ctranscendent,\u201d you\u2019re saying that it goes beyond your day-to-day reality. In other words, you\u2019re less focused on your usual identity (like your name, your role in society, and so on) and more on the reality of your actual well-being, your surroundings, other people, and nature.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s so much more to you than your physical body. As you tap into that, you start to love yourself more [and] appreciate yourself more. You see the bigger picture. The brighter you,\u201d says Jeffrey Allen<\/strong>, a renowned energy healer and Mindvalley trainer. <\/p>\n

Now, what about \u201cspiritual transcendence\u201d in meaning? Think of it as a sacred experience that fundamentally alters how you perceive yourself. It\u2019s when you connect with something profoundly larger than yourself, a state often accessed through introspective activities like meditation or moments of reflection\u2014whether at home, in places of worship, or immersed in nature.<\/p>\n

Jeffrey explains this angle in detail in Duality<\/em>, his Quest on Mindvalley. \u201cYour awareness is what you perceive as you, and it can move independently from your body\u2014it\u2019s not bound by time and space. And you can move it consciously and intentionally<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is spiritual transcendence theory?<\/h3>\n

Science has some interesting things to say about it. Professor and researcher Dr. Pamela Reed\u2019s self-transcendence theory, for one, talks about breaking through personal limits. She argues that people operate as open systems that keep themselves from experiencing transcendence with self-inflicted obstacles and boundaries acquired through conditioning.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve moved beyond the barriers you\u2019ve set for yourself, you unlock a higher level of awareness and a new way of seeing the world. And what\u2019s great is this paradigm shift is your birthright because, ultimately, you aren\u2019t static by design.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As a human being, you\u2019re constantly evolving and interacting with your environment to inform and rewrite your perception. So, for instance, if you can learn the fear of trying new things during childhood, you can also unlearn it to embrace bravery in adulthood through, say, adrenaline-packed activities.<\/p>\n

This naturally ties into Abraham Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs.<\/p>\n

Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs<\/h3>\n

You may have seen his famous pyramid, which starts with basic needs like food and safety and climbs up to self-actualization. But did you know that psychologist Abraham Maslow added one final layer at the top\u2014self-transcendence?\u00a0<\/p>\n

That\u2019s right. Once your basic needs are sorted, you\u2019re not just content to know yourself. You\u2019re driven to connect with something much bigger: finding purpose and meaning. Not just within the confines of the self\u2026 but well beyond it.<\/p>\n

When you combine Reed\u2019s take on expansion with Maslow\u2019s vision of transcendence, you realize that spiritual transcendence isn\u2019t just some fleeting moment of zen. It\u2019s a full-on shift in how you see yourself and the world\u2014a push toward something far more meaningful.<\/p>\n

The neuroscience of spiritual transcendence<\/h2>\n

What happens in the brain when you experience spiritual transcendence? Is there an actual mechanism that can explain this shift in consciousness<\/a>?<\/p>\n

The great news is science has some solid answers.<\/p>\n

1. Neuroplasticity<\/h3>\n

One of the most fascinating aspects of spiritual transcendence is how it taps into the brain\u2019s inherent ability to change. This concept is known as neuroplasticity, which refers to your brain\u2019s ability to rewire itself by forming new neural connections.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In moments of deep spiritual awareness, your brain rewires itself to support new ways of thinking and perceiving. Just think about how regular meditation practices can lead to increased gray matter in areas of the brain<\/a> responsible for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and perspective-taking. These changes, in turn, illustrate how meditation strengthens the brain\u2019s capacity to adapt to challenges and transform itself.<\/p>\n

Through this transformation, you become increasingly adept at accessing states of spiritual transcendence\u2014and change how you navigate the world.<\/p>\n

2. Optimized prefrontal cortex\u00a0<\/h3>\n

When you engage in spiritually uplifting activities\u2014like deep meditation or intense reflection\u2014your brain starts firing up in the prefrontal cortex<\/a>. This part of your brain is the hub for higher-level thinking, self-awareness, and decision-making.<\/p>\n

Since these activities are all about self-realization and connection to something greater, you can say that spiritual transcendence is good for your brain health. While the experience itself might feel super dream-like and elusive, your brain\u2019s actually hard at work in real time, reorganizing itself to support the state of heightened awareness.<\/p>\n

3. Reduced default mode network activity<\/h3>\n

What\u2019s the brain\u2019s role in the link between spiritual transcendence and meditation?<\/p>\n

When you regularly tap into heightened awareness through meditation, your brain shows reduced activity in the default mode network (DMN)<\/a>\u2014the part responsible for ego and self-focused thinking. When the DMN quiets down, it\u2019s easier to step outside of yourself and feel more connected to the world around you.<\/p>\n

In other words, this is your brain\u2019s way of moving beyond everyday thoughts and guiding you into a state of spiritual transcendence\u2014right in the middle of meditation, a drive, or a walk.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear that spiritual transcendence is not just a lofty concept. It\u2019s actually a measurable brain-rewiring process that creates space for new perspectives, heightened awareness, and a deeper connection to life\u2019s infinite possibilities.<\/p>\n

Spiritual transcendence scale<\/h2>\n

So, we\u2019ve talked about the science behind spiritual transcendence and how your brain rewires itself during these moments. But how do you measure something so intangible to the naked eye? That\u2019s where the Spiritual Transcendence Scale (STS) comes in.<\/p>\n

Developed by psychologist Ralph Piedmont in the late \u201890s, the STS was created to measure how connected people feel to a higher purpose<\/a>. The goal? To make spirituality measurable within a psychological framework.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The STS has since been used in studies to track how often individuals feel unity with something bigger than themselves, whether through meditation, mindfulness, or daily life. Its framework asks questions to gauge your sense of purpose and moments of reflection that shift your perspective.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019ve started meditating or journaling, the STS framework essentially helps you track not only when you\u2019re calming your mind but also how you\u2019re expanding your awareness. It\u2019s a compass for your spiritual growth<\/a>\u2014showing how far you\u2019ve come and where to go next.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/figure>\n

Examples of spiritual transcendence<\/h2>\n

From the lives of real-world visionaries to heroes on the silver screen, the experience of spiritual transcendence is observable in standout character arcs, both in real and imagined worlds. The following three notable figures illustrate its place in the overall human experience.<\/p>\n

1. In history: Viktor Frankl<\/h3>\n

The story of Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl is all about finding meaning in the worst of circumstances. Imprisoned in a concentration camp, Viktor endured unimaginable suffering\u2014he lost his family, faced starvation, and lived under the constant threat of death. Yet even in such darkness, he discovered that you still have the power to choose your response.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His moment of spiritual transcendence came after escaping the camp, when he realized, long after his release, that meaning can be found even in suffering. It was this profound realization that inspired him to write his iconic book, Man\u2019s Search for Meaning<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Viktor\u2019s journey teaches us that transcendence isn\u2019t some distant ideal\u2014it\u2019s about finding purpose in life\u2019s toughest moments. And fortunately, we can all apply that mindset to our everyday challenges.<\/p>\n

2. On the silver screen: Bruce Wayne<\/h3>\n

Everyone loves Batman, but it\u2019s the man underneath this caped vigilante that illustrates the importance of spiritual transcendence. And Robert Pattinson\u2019s version of Bruce Wayne in Matt Reeves\u2019 The Batman<\/em> (2022) is the rawest portrayal of this character yet.<\/p>\n

Look more closely, and you\u2019ll see that Bruce\u2019s journey isn\u2019t just about justice; it\u2019s about understanding Gotham\u2019s broken system. Initially driven by vengeance and the early loss of his parents, this billionaire\u2019s turning point came when he faced The Riddler, a fellow orphan consumed by poverty and resentment.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Bruce realized that while he had the privilege to become Batman, The Riddler resorted to crime because he was trapped in survival mode, unable to transcend his circumstances\u2014and the lower levels of Maslow\u2019s hierarchy.<\/p>\n

Bruce\u2019s moment of spiritual transcendence came when he accepted that vengeance wouldn\u2019t fix Gotham\u2014only empathy for others could. His story reminds us that true transcendence comes from moving focus from the self towards a cause far greater than ourselves.<\/p>\n

3. In business today: Vishen<\/h3>\n

For real-life inspiration on spiritual transcendence today, look no further than Vishen<\/strong>, Mindvalley\u2019s own founder and CEO. His moment of spiritual transcendence didn\u2019t happen in a meditation retreat. No\u2014it actually began when his younger self, disillusioned and unfulfilled, walked away from the shiny promises of Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n

Burned out and unfulfilled, Vishen joined the non-profit world in New York, where he had way less money but found something more valuable: purpose. He stumbled upon and used meditation to manage stress.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when it clicked\u2014his calling wasn\u2019t personal success; it was helping others unlock their potential. This realization led him to start Mindvalley, the personal transformation company through which he empowers millions of people today.<\/p>\n

Vishen highlights, \u201cAny attempt to cling to the ego or to make it an effective source of action is doomed to frustration.\u201d <\/em>His journey reflects a broader truth about spiritual transcendence: it involves releasing the grip of the ego\u2014our attachment to our identity\u2014to tap into something greater.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Essentially, what happened to him isn\u2019t just a case of career shift; it was spiritual transcendence, in effect, spanned across years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On an even higher level, Vishen\u2019s story shows that when you align your business with a higher mission, you don\u2019t just transform your life. You ultimately overcome your limitations and unlock your part in bettering the world around you.<\/p>\n

5 ways to cultivate spiritual transcendence<\/h2>\n

Taking inspiration from the stories you\u2019ve just explored, how would you want to experience spiritual transcendence in your own life? Great news: the steps to do so are way more realistic than you\u2019d think.<\/p>\n

Here are five expert-backed insights to actively experience this phenomenon in your spiritual growth and path to self-realization.<\/p>\n

1. Ground yourself with meditation<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard a lot about meditation, but it\u2019s more than just finding calm within. It\u2019s ultimately a way to root yourself in the present while tapping into the greater sense of awareness beyond identification with your life.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour awareness is what you perceive as you, and it can move independently from your body\u2014it\u2019s not bound by time and space<\/em>,\u201d Jeffrey emphasizes.<\/p>\n

Meditation allows you to step outside the daily chaos and connect with your higher self.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By meditating regularly, you also embrace stillness as part of your spiritual awakening (talk about mystic in the making<\/a>!). In turn, this stillness brings clarity and presence to every aspect of your life\u2014relationships, work, hobbies, friendships, you name it\u2014and aligns them with your spiritual purpose.<\/p>\n

2. Tap into the power of breathwork<\/h3>\n

Breathwork can inject your spiritual purpose into even the most mundane moments.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As Jade Shaw<\/strong>, the astral projection expert leading The Art of Astral Projection<\/em> Quest on Mindvalley, explains, \u201cYour breath is the bridge between your physical and spiritual self. It\u2019s a tool to move beyond the physical into the infinite<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Incorporating breathwork into your day helps you reconnect with your spiritual essence, even when life gets hectic, through practicality. In real life, tried-and-tested breathwork exercises<\/a> can calm your mind, center yourself, and shift your energy\u2014whether you\u2019re sitting at your desk, in traffic, or simply unwinding after a long day.<\/p>\n

3. Try astral projection<\/h3>\n

Astral projection<\/a> might sound like the stuff of fantasy films, but think of it more as a trope belonging to sci-fi stories as a starting point.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a fan of Dennis Villeneuve\u2019s Dune <\/em>(2021), for example, you\u2019ll recall that after his father\u2019s death, Paul Atreides projected his consciousness into other realms, gaining insights beyond time and space as a result. It was the way to brace himself for his upcoming experiences on planet Arrakis.<\/p>\n

Astral projection works similarly. According to Jade, it\u2019s \u201can experience that can evolve your consciousness and help you understand your true self beyond the physical<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, where does this activity leave you with spiritual transcendence? Well, it likely taps into the same parts of your brain responsible for self-awareness and detachment from the ego, allowing you to experience life beyond the physical.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lensed this way, it\u2019s easier to see it as a brain-rewiring process that helps you expand your consciousness.<\/p>\n

4. Expand your awareness with visualization<\/h3>\n

Visualization is a powerful tool that helps you move beyond the day-to-day and connect with a higher purpose. \u201cAs you start to work with energy, you get to know the part of you that\u2019s bigger than your body. There\u2019s so much more to you than your physical body<\/em>,\u201d Jeffrey explains.<\/p>\n

The great thing about visualization is that it\u2019s doable anywhere, at any time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When you notice ego-driven thoughts\u2014like the need for control or validation\u2014Jeffrey suggests pausing, taking a deep breath, and visualizing yourself releasing those thoughts into the earth. This technique helps you refocus on what truly matters, helping you navigate life\u2019s ups and downs without losing sight of your spiritual goals.<\/p>\n

To hone in on your visualization prowess, you can combine this practice with other insights-gathering steps like:\u00a0<\/p>\n