A few years back, I climbed over a gate and found myself looking down at a valley. As I walked, something shifted inside me. Everything felt sharper—the fields, the trees, even the sky captured my attention in a new way.
In that moment, I felt deeply connected to my surroundings. It was as if my inner self was linked to the world outside, filling me with a warm sense of well-being. This experience is known as an “awakening,” a temporary expansion of awareness that can transform how we see everything.
I’ve spent over 15 years studying these moments. Many people think these experiences are random, but there’s a method to the madness. In my research, I’ve identified three main triggers for these awakenings.
The first might surprise you: about one-third of awakenings come from psychological distress, like stress or grief. I spoke with someone who faced a crisis about his sexuality that led to his marriage falling apart. Despite his turmoil, he had an awakening where he felt completely at peace, losing all sense of time and self. He described it as being one with nature.
The second trigger, accounting for about one-quarter of experiences, involves the beauty and stillness of nature. One woman told me about an awakening while she was swimming in a lake. She felt both alone and part of everything around her—completely at peace.
The third major trigger is spiritual practices. This mainly includes meditation but also prayers and movements like yoga. These practices help many find moments of stillness and clarity.
Interestingly, while some think psychedelics might trigger these experiences, they’re not as common in my findings. It might be due to the diverse backgrounds of those I studied, many of whom haven’t tried drugs. Plus, psychedelics can often lead to a distorted perception rather than true awakening.
Experts, including neuroscientists, suggest that these higher states of consciousness might be linked to brain activity, particularly in the temporal lobes. These areas control emotions and memory. Some researchers believe that when activity decreases in parts of the brain responsible for boundaries, people may feel a sense of oneness with everything.
However, these theories face criticism for lacking solid evidence. People with temporal lobe epilepsy often experience confusion and anxiety, rather than blissful awakenings. Some studies even show no clear connection between seizures and heightened states of consciousness.
Perhaps it’s better to understand these awakenings through a psychological lens. Moments of quiet—like those found in nature or during meditation—can enhance our awareness. In our fast-paced lives, we often overlook the beauty around us. But in calm moments, we can see the world more clearly.
Awakening experiences can also emerge from emotional upheaval. A sudden shock may break down our usual ways of thinking, leading to a transcendence where we feel a deep connection to everything around us. These experiences often teach us that our normal perception is limited. They show us a broader reality.
Even though these awakenings are brief, they can deeply impact our lives. Many people in my research called their awakening the most significant moment of their lives. In a study I conducted, the most notable after-effect was an increase in trust and optimism.
While we may not be able to force these higher states of consciousness, we can create conditions for them to occur. Engaging in relaxation through meditation and nature invites these moments into our lives. By looking for tranquility, we may awaken to a richer, deeper reality.
For more insights on achieving higher states of consciousness, the American Psychological Association provides resources on the psychological and emotional benefits of mindfulness and meditation practices.
