Experience description:

I was working in a psychiatric hospital. I walked into the tea room at morning tea time. I was alone. This experience is very difficult to put into words. It was like I was conected to all of creation, I could see or feel the conections. Time became slower like syrup. The experience involved some type of direct knowing as opposed to words in my mind. I became aware of all of creation being like a huge wheel. The experience "told" me that everything, every speck of dust was so important to the whole. The focus then shifted to me, I was "told" that I was also just as important to this completeness as every other thing in this vast wheel. If I was not there there would be a piece missing. I was also told that every event in life has a purpose, even people starving had a purpose and that life and creation was perfect just as it was. While in this state I felt the perfection. I am not aware of how long I was in this state (perhaps several minutes) and luckily I was alone in the tea room. I would not have been on most days. This experience has given me the strength to cope with difficulties that happen in life and I would call it a life changing event. I have wished that I could experience this again but it has never happened.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No      

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes    

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          No      

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           Fully conscious

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     No      

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Profound peace, bliss

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           No

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:  Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?    No            I remained in the tea room but could feel or see that all of life is connected but at the same time separate

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?          No response      Time was slower, I can't really describe it. We are aware of time passing but in that state it was almost as if time was close to standing still. I had my eyes open and could see normal things but was aware or the connections

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes     As above, the passing of time was like syrup is the only way I can describe it.

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes     Life is perfect when viewed from another level. It was like I was above this ordinary level of awareness.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?             Uncertain      Boundaries between myself and all of creation were blurred. There was a sense of connection but at the same time separateness.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?    On the maternal side of my family there has always been some psychic abilities, strong gut feelings, seeing future events, precognitive dreams but nothing that any of us can switch on or off at will. I don't know if it was this experience but I dream future events more often as I get older, though I rarely know at the time of the dream whether it is precognitive or not.


Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     After this event I rarely doubt that there is a spiritual world.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       No changes, I was pursuing the truth at the time and I still am.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         No      

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     A Catholic priest assured me that this experience is probably more common that people ever talk about.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Soon after this event I am sure part of the inner peace stayed with me for a while. It is a long time ago now so it is difficult to feel it now.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best part of the experience was that it gave me peace about all the negative things that happen in the world. That the world is perfect just as it is. (even though I don't always think so). I realized that I was just as important as everyone and everything else in creation.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        I wish everyone could have just one of these experiences

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No       I had never been a drug user and am not aware of any psychotic illnesses in my family or myself.

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes     But it is like words are unable to convey the experience very well. I remember thinking after this event that our vocabulary is very limited.