Have you ever had a peak experience?  You would know it if you had because it is such an exhilarating experience that you wouldn’t forget it.  

My experience of a peak experience seemed to be inspired while I was riding my motorcycle.  I was riding in the beautiful countryside with fields on either side of me and the sun was low and golden and illuminated everything.  The next thing I knew I was aware in a way that was completely different from my usual sense of perceiving. It was heightened, alert, peaceful and the joy that welled up inside is difficult to describe.  All was not only well but perfect in my world!  It left as mysteriously as it arose but I felt somehow shifted  and changed by it.  Later I came to understand that this experience was a small glimpse of my true self and a sign post  pointing me directly to my divine essence.

Abraham Maslow discovered this concept  and describes it this way:    

A peak experience is a moment accompanied by a euphoric mental state often achieved by self-actualizing individuals. The concept was originally developed by Abraham Maslow in 1964, who describes peak experiences as “rare, exciting, oceanic, deeply moving, exhilarating, elevating experiences that generate an advanced form of perceiving reality, and are even mystic and magical in their effect upon the experimenter.                                                                                                                                         -Wikipedia

A peak experience can’t be brought on through any kind of effort, they just happen. They can be inspired by incredible beauty, awe, very intense emotions or a near death experience to name a few.  My understanding, now, of what happens is that the personal lens, memories, conditioning and beliefs, completely drop. You are thrust into the present moment so powerfully that nothing remains to block your true self.  The true self can be referred to as the God-self, divine self, pure being, brahman and many other names but the important thing to note is, you won’t  ever forget it.  Why?  When you have an authentic experience of your true nature it needs no explanation or confirmation. It is completely unique against the backdrop of your usual perceiving.  

It seems to be like a mini experience of self-realization. Unencumbered by personal projections; we have direct access to the pure being.  Masters throughout history have pointed  to this undeniable truth but it is most powerful when you identify this direct experience in your own life.  

I have heard many people say, “I’m not a spiritual person” and I would beg to differ.  Since I have had a few of these experiences in my life I have asked others if they have had similar experiences. Universally almost all have responded that “yes” they have experienced this in their lives.  It is the divine dimension knocking on your door and saying,  “Hey, there’s more where this came from.” 

I can only imagine what the world could be like if we where all ready to embrace this simple but profound truth.  That who you are is already perfect but is covered up by your ego.  Maybe it would be good to get curious about this.