Spiritual Transformative Experiences (STEs)

In my private practice and in workshops I have observed that people are reporting spiritually transformative experiences (STEs) of many types.  According to the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, 35.7% of the adult US population has had a least one religious or spiritual experience "that changed their life".

I recently attended the American Center for the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences Conference (ACISTE). They do research, educate and support people through those changes.

Some categories of ST experiences are:

-Mystical (ecstatic/bliss, unitive, spiritual rebirth, visions, revelations)

-Spiritual Energy (Kundalini),

-Psychic (past life recall, clairsentience, spirit guide visitation/communication)

-Near Death Experiences

-Inspired Creativity

-Death related (terminal lucidity, after death communication)

While these experiences can be transformative they can also be confusing and overwhelming. It is important to be able to integrate these into our lives through support and validation of the experience.

Common positive effects of spiritually transformative experiences lead to a feeling of peace, certainty of the afterlife, a refocus on life purpose, increased empathy, and compassion.

I have observed that some of these STEs are experienced during hypnotherapy to contact loved ones on the other side, past life regression and life between lives sessions.  They may assist in overcoming fear of death, overcoming grief and a greater awareness of our spiritual nature and life purpose.