Mystical States & Experiences: Awakening to Soul through Non-Ordinary Realms of Reality
"Mystical states are not hallucinations or anomalies; they are profound openings into wholeness"
In 2006, I experienced a spontaneous mystical event that profoundly altered my relationship with consciousness, myself, and the entire world around me. As I described in my doctoral dissertation (Bright, 2015), it was not simply an emotional moment or visionary insight. It was a sudden and complete immersion in what I only later realized to be the sacred.
In an instant, my entire world shifted: boundaries dissolved, and I found myself suspended in a field of presence that was radiant, intelligent, and alive. There was no longer an “I” and a “Thou,” no subject or object. There was only Being, only soul. And though the experience passed within what was probably a matter of seconds, its imprint has never left me.
The Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Gustav Jung, who contributed so profoundly to the birth of Psychology, insisted we cannot encounter such a powerful force and not be irrevocably altered. Mystical experiences such as the one I had are sometimes spontaneous, but always numinous (as Jung referred to them) and often life-altering. They have been recounted by sages, mystics, and seekers throughout history, but they are not relegated to the ancient past or the rare few. These non-ordinary states of consciousness arise in many forms: through meditation, nature, ritual, dreams, art, or even trauma or grief. Virtually always they come bearing gifts, if we know how to receive them.
Stanislav Grof (1992), an incredible teacher and pioneer of transpersonal psychology, called these states “holotropic,” meaning “moving toward wholeness.” He suggests that in the holotropic state, the psyche opens up to dimensions of reality that are ordinarily hidden and brings about profound transformation. For Grof, these experiences are not anomalies, but essential elements of the human journey.
Transpersonal psychologist, Ken Wilber (2000), whose Integral Theory maps the evolution of consciousness, saw mystical states as legitimate developmental stages. The mystical stages are not hallucinations or regressions, he insisted. Rather, they are progressions toward the “radiant ground of being.” In Wilber’s view, non-ordinary states allow us to access what he calls “causal and non-dual awareness,” deep dimensions of consciousness where the illusion of being separate from something more intelligent and divine—a unified whole— falls away.
Similarly, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj speaks in his incomparable book, I Am That, about the realm beyond the personal self. “When you go beyond awareness,” he asserts, “there is a state of pure being, a state of non-duality. You can call it love, joy, or being. It is beyond the mind, and it is always there.” This ever-present field—the field of Soul—is the very ground of mystical experience.
Jung suggested that the numinous provides a sense of the ineffable presence of something wholly other (that is, wholly other than our “normal” ordinary reality that each of us typically inhabits in everyday life). Mystical experiences, he believed, were encounters with archetypal realities that break into consciousness to direct us toward meaning and individuation. The experience of the numinous is what gives the individual that ultimate anchoring in the universe, Jung insisted.
What is a Mystical Experience?
A mystical experience is a direct, often ineffable encounter with a greater reality—one that transcends ordinary perception and awakens a felt sense of sacred presence, unity, or deep knowing. These experiences are marked by common characteristics:
– A sense of oneness with all things
– Timelessness or time distortion
– Direct encounter with sacred, archetypal, or spiritual energies
– A feeling of awe, reverence, or ecstasy
– Deep peace and dissolution of the ego
– A knowing that surpasses intellectual understanding
– Contact with ancestral, symbolic, or visionary material
Why Do Mystical Experiences Matter?
Mystical states are not just beautiful—they are transformational. They offer psychological, emotional, and spiritual gifts that can lead to profound healing and inner alignment:
- Psychological Healing: surfacing and releasing unconscious patterns
• Expanded Consciousness: access to archetypal and transpersonal realms
• Purpose and Direction: contact with Soul guidance
• Creativity and Vision: unlocking intuitive insight
• Loss of Fear: peace about death and impermanence
• Connection: restoration of empathy, love, and sacred belonging
Join Me for a FREE Webinar on the topic, September 26, 2025
What happens when we slip beyond the veil of ordinary consciousness and enter states where the mystical becomes real?
Join me with Dr. Christophe Morin, neuroscientist and consciousness researcher, for a powerful webinar of soul-centered and neurospiritual insights and community connection as we explore the territory of mystical experiences and non-ordinary states of consciousness—moments where time bends, the psyche expands, and the Soul reveals itself in mysterious and often life-changing ways.
This 90-minute free webinar and community conversation will offer a multidimensional discussion integrating science, symbolism, soul, and the sacred.
Whether you’ve had a spontaneous mystical moment, entered altered states through sacred ceremony, dreams, nature experiences, or dedicated inner work, or whether you’re simply curious, you are invited into a sacred space of soulful storytelling, inner reflection, and profound shared wisdom.
References
Grof, S. (1992). The holotropic mind: The three levels of human consciousness and how they shape our lives. HarperSanFrancisco.
Maharaj, N. (1973). I am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (M. Frydman, Ed.). Chetana.
Wilber, K. (2000). Integral psychology: Consciousness, spirit, psychology, therapy. Shambhala Publications.
Further Reading/Resources
Grof, S. (2009). Psychology of the future: Lessons from modern consciousness research. SUNY Press.
James, W. (1902/2002). The varieties of religious experience: A study in human nature. Routledge. (Original work published 1902)
Metzner, R. (1998). The unfolding self: Varieties of transformative experience. Origin Press.
Tart, C. T. (1975). States of consciousness. E. P. Dutton.
Walsh, R. (2007). The world of shamanism: New views of an ancient tradition. Llewellyn Publications.
Bonnie Bright, Ph.D.
Bonnie Bright, Ph.D. is a thought leader in consciousness, depth psychology, and soul-centered transformation. She is the founder of the Institute for Soul-Centered Psychology and Coaching™, where she integrates Jungian, Archetypal, and Transpersonal principles with ancient wisdom traditions to guide individuals and groups toward healing and meaning.
She also co-created the Soul, Cosmos, and Consciousness™ media series, a “soul-feed” to feed your soul offering illuminating articles, webinars, courses, a podcast, and immersive retreats in stunning nature at Manta Soul® on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Bonnie holds M.A. degrees in Psychology from Sonoma State University and Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she also earned her Ph.D. She is a certified Archetypal Pattern Analyst™ and Transpersonal Soul-Centered Coach, accredited by IACTM.
Her pioneering three-pillar framework—Somatic, Symbolic, and Shamanic—provides a holistic path to self-discovery through the wisdom of the body, the transformative power of archetypes, and the sacred connection to spirit and nature. She specializes in spiritual awakening, shamanic perspectives, dreamwork, Holotropic Breathwork, and the Enneagram, and has trained with indigenous healers and shamans across four continents.
A prolific speaker, writer, and interviewer, Bonnie has conducted over 100 depth psychology interviews and podcasts. She is the editor of Earth, Climate, Dreams: Dialogues with Depth Psychologists in the Age of the Anthropocene (2019) and former Executive Editor of Depth Insights™ journal. Her journey began with a profound spontaneous mystical experience in 2006, sparking a lifelong quest to help others find their unique path to soul. She lives each day with deep joy, freedom, and reverence for the magic afoot in the world.
-Learn more: InstituteForSoulCenteredPsychology.com
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Together, we will explore these themes with curiosity, reverence, and a deep commitment to transformation. Whether you are a seeker, a dreamer, or someone simply yearning for more depth and connection, this space is for you.
Stay tuned for upcoming posts, along with new podcast episodes (coming Spring 2025), where we’ll dive deeper into these rich themes, share practices for growth, and engage with voices from diverse traditions and disciplines.
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We look forward to being on this soulful, cosmic, and conscious journey together.