Spiritually Transformative Experiences (STE) 

Disclaimer. The information on this webpage is compiled from numerous website resources and is for education purposes only. 

Some, but not all, Types of STEs

Spiritual Emergence: The term spiritual emergence refers to the normal life-enhancing aspect of human development which seeks meaning and connection beyond our personal identity. This leads to a greater capacity for wisdom, compassion, and respect for all life as well as a deeper sense of personal security and inner peace. This growth can be challenging, even tumultuous, at times turning into a crisis known as spiritual emergency 

Mystical/Unitive Experiences:  In transpersonal psychology, mystical and peak experiences are seen as essential components of the human experience that transcend traditional psychological frameworks. They challenge conventional understandings of self and reality, suggesting that consciousness can extend beyond the individual ego1. Mystical experiences involve an intensely felt fading of the sense of self and/or feelings of increased connectedness, up to and including the sense of complete unity.

Near Death Experiences (NDEs): A near-death experience (NDE) is a profound personal experience associated with death or impending death, which researchers describe as having similar characteristics. When positive, which the great majority are,[1] such experiences may encompass a variety of sensations including detachment from the body, feelings of levitation, total serenity, security, warmth, joy, the experience of absolute dissolution, review of major life events, the presence of a light, and seeing dead relatives. When negative, such experiences may include sensations of anguish, distress, a void, devastation, and seeing hellish imagery.

Deathbed -Near Death experiences: refer to a range of experiences reported by people who are dying. These include: Deathbed visions (DBVs) in which a dying person reports that they are being visited by deceased loved ones or other beings invisible to those around the bedside. After-death communication (ADC) in which an individual has the sensation or perception of having been visited by a deceased loved one.  Terminal lucidity, where people lose brain function over time, only to regain full consciousness to say their goodbyes before dying. Shared death experiences, where healthy people experience a part of their loved one’s death experience.

Psychic Phenomena: Parapsychologists use the term “psi” to describe all types of psychic phenomena. It refers to experiences of the human mind that cannot be explained by traditional scientific principles.

Examples of psi are telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, apparitions, hauntings and poltergeists, and out-of-body experiences. Parapsychology is not the study of unsolved mysteries, but instead, focuses on study of psychic phenomena, experiences, or events and how the mind or consciousness may explain them.

Kundalini Awakening: Known in various traditions as Kundalini Awakening, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit awakening, Holy Wind, Dumo Fire, Shakti, Chi activation, and other terms. Classical signs include; Energy Rushes. Sensations of energy, heat, and/or light that rise up the spine or rush up through the body towards the head. The energy may feel like a rushing, flowing, trickling, exploding, jumping, vibrating, burning, piercing, or like an electrical current. The body may physically jerk and move with the energy rushes, or in other cases become locked and rigid, additional signs.

Shamanistic Experiences: Shamanism, an ancient spiritual practice rooted in various indigenous cultures, encompasses a wide range of beliefs and rituals aimed at healing, guidance, and spiritual connection. It is characterized by the shaman’s role as a mediator between the material world and the spirit world, facilitating communication with ancestral spirits, animal totems, and other entities (Eliade, 1989). The practice of shamanism often involves mystical journeys, where the shaman enters altered states of consciousness, commonly achieved through drumming, chanting, or the use of entheogenic substances.  

Past Life Experiences: Past life memories are typically reported by very young children, and fade within a few years. However, sometimes they occur with older children and adults, and may persist throughout life. These experiences can occur spontaneously. As is often the case with children, adult memories of a past life can sometimes be found to match exactly with real people and events. 

                                                                                                          STE Videos                                                                                                           https://spiritualawakeningsinternational.org/videos/

Practical Tips for Navigating a Spiritual Emergency

• Embrace Your Vulnerability – It is a strength. Allow yourself to cry and express emotions freely; this openness fosters human connection and helps you feel less alone.

• Show Up Fully – Trust that everything you are experiencing is part of the process. Acknowledge that having difficult thoughts and emotions is natural.

• Breathe – Feeling unstable during times of deep transformation is normal. Trust that it will pass and become easier to manage.

• Seek a Safe Space – Work through trauma in a supportive environment, whether with a therapist or in a group. Releasing emotions—verbally, physically, or creatively—is essential for healing.

• Prioritize Self-Care – Engage in physical activity, spend time in nature, eat nourishing foods, and ensure you get enough rest. In some cases, prescribed medication may be helpful for stability.

• Avoid Stimulants – Limit alcohol, drugs, caffeine, processed foods, and especially sugar to support your well-being.

• Find Support – Join an online or in-person support group to avoid isolation. Having at least one trusted person to share your experiences with, without fear of judgment, can be invaluable.

• Minimize Stress – Reduce stressors at home and work wherever possible.

• Adjust Spiritual Practices – Temporarily reducing spiritual practices can prevent intensifying your experience.

• Listen to Soothing Sounds – Calming or uplifting music, as well as nature sounds, can be grounding and helpful.

• Nurture Healthy Relationships – Surround yourself with supportive people and set boundaries with those who cause stress.

• Express Yourself Creatively – If talking is difficult, explore creative outlets like drawing, painting, poetry, music, drumming, sculpture, or singing.

• Follow Medical Guidance – If you are on prescribed medication, do not reduce or stop taking it without professional advice.