An exceptional human experience refers to an event, moment, or series of moments in an individual’s life that stands out as particularly profound, rare, transformative, or extraordinary. These experiences often go beyond the ordinary and can involve heightened states of awareness, emotional intensity, or personal growth. They may be marked by a sense of deep meaning or significance, and are sometimes difficult to describe fully, as they transcend normal daily experience.
Here are some key characteristics of exceptional human experiences:
1. Transcendence or Altered States of Consciousness

• These are moments when an individual feels a sense of being "transcended" beyond the usual limits of self or reality. This could include spiritual experiences, mystical encounters, profound moments of insight, or peak experiences.
• Examples: Near-death experiences (NDEs), mystical visions, moments of deep meditation or mindfulness, or a sudden shift in perception that feels revelatory or otherworldly.

2. Transformation or Personal Growth

• An exceptional human experience often leads to significant personal transformation. This might involve shifts in one’s values, priorities, or beliefs. These experiences can reframe how a person sees themselves and the world around them.
• Examples: Overcoming a major life challenge (like surviving a serious illness), a profound therapy experience, or a deep sense of "rebirth" after a crisis or turning point.

3. Deep Connection to Others or the World

• Exceptional experiences often involve a sense of connection that is intense or unusual, whether with other people, nature, or the universe at large. This connection may be felt as deeply meaningful, and it may lead to lasting changes in how one relates to the world.
• Examples: Experiencing profound empathy, altruistic moments where one feels deeply connected to the well-being of others, or a sense of unity with nature.

4. Heightened Awareness or Perception

• Sometimes, exceptional experiences involve moments where one's senses, intuition, or mental clarity are significantly heightened. This might be a sudden insight or clarity about something in life, or it could be an experience of sensory richness or perceptual alteration.
• Examples: Moments of deep creative insight, sudden clarity in solving a complex problem, or feeling “fully alive” and present in a given moment, as in flow states.

5. Unusual or Surreal Events

• These experiences might be completely outside the norm, challenging one's understanding of reality. Often described as uncanny or surreal, these events are sometimes interpreted as signs, synchronicities, or as connected to forces beyond ordinary comprehension.
• Examples: Encounters with the paranormal, profound coincidences (synchronicities), dreams that feel particularly real or meaningful, or having experiences that cannot be easily explained by science or logic.

6. Euphoric or Peak Experiences

• These are moments of intense joy, ecstasy, or fulfillment that feel extraordinary, often accompanied by a sense of awe or wonder.
• Examples: Deep moments of happiness or achievement, such as falling in love, achieving a lifelong dream, or an emotional high from creative expression.

7. Spiritual or Existential Revelations

• Some exceptional human experiences involve moments of spiritual awakening or existential understanding. These experiences might give the person a sense of understanding about life, death, or the nature of the universe.
• Examples: A sudden feeling of peace after a spiritual practice, encountering a sense of the divine, or experiencing a profound sense of meaning that persists long after the event.

Clients often come to me wanting to make sense of and integrate such experiences. which are often difficult to explain to others in their life. This can result in feelings of isolation on one hand and feeling the interconnectedness of everything on the other. Sometimes such experiences inspire and require bigger paradigm shifts and together we discuss the changes a person wants to implement and the communities that will support them in doing so.

​Transpersonal experience refers to states of consciousness that transcend the ordinary sense of self, often connecting individuals to something greater than themselves, such as a higher power, universal consciousness, or the collective human experience. These experiences can occur during moments of deep meditation, peak emotional states, or profound life events, and they often involve feelings of unity, interconnectedness, and heightened awareness. Transpersonal psychology explores these phenomena, seeking to understand their impact on personal growth, spiritual development, and overall well-being. Such experiences can lead to transformative insights, shifts in perception, and a deeper sense of purpose in life.

Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally focusing one's attention on the present moment with an attitude of openness, curiosity, and non-judgment. It involves being fully aware of one's thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment without getting caught up in them. For example, mindful breathing is a common practice where individuals focus on the sensation of their breath entering and leaving the body, helping to anchor their attention in the present. Another example is mindful eating, which involves paying close attention to the taste, texture, and aroma of food, as well as the physical sensations of hunger and fullness, promoting a more conscious and enjoyable eating experience.


In psychotherapy, mindfulness can be a transformative tool, helping clients cultivate greater awareness and acceptance of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. I incorporate mindfulness techniques to assist clients in staying present during sessions, reducing the impact of anxiety, depression, and stress. Practices like body scanning and mindful breathing enable clients to recognize and regulate their emotional responses, fostering a deeper connection between mind and body. By integrating mindfulness, I empower clients to develop coping mechanisms, enhance self-awareness, and promote emotional resilience, leading to more effective and lasting therapeutic outcomes.

Somatic therapy is an innovative approach to mental health treatment that focuses on the profound connection between the mind and body. Unlike traditional talk therapies that emphasize verbal communication, somatic therapy incorporates physical experiences and sensations into the healing process. This holistic method aims to address the root causes of trauma and stress stored in the body, promoting overall well-being.

Somatic therapy is based on the premise that the body holds onto past experiences, especially traumatic ones. These experiences can manifest as physical tension, pain, or other bodily sensations. By tuning into these physical cues, individuals can uncover and release deep-seated emotional wounds. This approach integrates techniques from various disciplines, including psychology, bodywork, and mindfulness practices.
Key Principles of Somatic Therapy

1. Mind-Body Connection: Somatic therapy emphasizes that mental and emotional health is intricately linked to physical sensations. The body can reveal insights into psychological states that may not be accessible through words alone.
2. Body Awareness: Developing a heightened awareness of bodily sensations is crucial in somatic therapy. Clients learn to recognize and interpret physical signs of stress, anxiety, or trauma, facilitating deeper self-understanding.
3. Release and Regulation: Through various techniques such as deep breathing, movement, touch, and grounding exercises, clients can release physical tension and regulate their nervous systems. This process helps in alleviating symptoms of trauma and promoting a sense of safety and calm.

Techniques Used in Somatic Therapy

• Body Scanning: This involves systematically focusing on different parts of the body to identify areas of tension or discomfort.
• Grounding Exercises: Techniques like deep breathing, mindful walking, or sensory awareness help clients stay present and connected to their bodies.
• Movement and Gesture: Encouraging clients to express themselves through movement can help release trapped emotions and energy.
• Touch and Massage: Therapeutic touch, when appropriate, can aid in releasing tension and fostering a sense of safety.

Benefits of Somatic Therapy

• Trauma Recovery: Somatic therapy is particularly effective for individuals with trauma, helping them process and release traumatic memories stored in the body.
• Stress Reduction: By learning to recognize and manage bodily sensations, clients can better handle stress and anxiety.
• Improved Emotional Regulation: Enhanced body awareness leads to better control over emotional responses, promoting overall emotional health.
• Enhanced Self-Awareness: Clients gain a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection, leading to greater self-insight and personal growth.

Somatic therapy offers a unique and powerful approach to healing by recognizing the body as an essential component of mental health. By addressing the physical manifestations of emotional and psychological issues, individuals can achieve a more integrated and holistic sense of well-being. Whether dealing with trauma, stress, or other emotional challenges, somatic therapy provides valuable tools for fostering healing and resilience.

We see the world as WE ARE not how it objectively is. Every perspective is subjective.  How could it be any other way?

"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength."

by Marcus Aurelius

There comes a time if life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy.​

"When a loved one passes, there is only one good thing you can say about it. In the pain of their passing you get to experience a form of clarity that nothing else can match. When a loved one is gone you know, really know, that all that matters is saying "I love you." Everything else is pointless in comparison. If you have had this experience, your loved one has given you a chance like none other. You get to live the rest of your life in the remembrance of what they taught you about love. This is how you love them after they are gone. This is living without regret."
by Rolf Gates in "Meditations on Intention and Being"

Whether is was yoga, cross fit, a spiritual tradition, a diet, a hobby, or a product you got super into, nearly even obsessed with, you can probably can relate to this experience of what Rolf Gates calls: "Mountain Madness." In the end, wholeness prevails. The sought experience was already with you all the while.

"Mountain moment is so impactful that most people don't want more for a while. They are happy to "go to yoga" and find a moment or two of peace and maybe some insight. Eventually they reach a tipping point and awaken to the fact that they would prefer to extend mountain moment into mountain life. Why go to yoga if you can live yoga? At this point the search is truly on. Trainings become more trainings, poses become more poses, some folks seek more better faster, others seek more better fancy, others seek more better certain, most seek more better special, and the moment gets lost in the search. This seeking phase seems unavoidable because it is the final playing out of our faith in materialism. We have to try one more time to find some thing to complete our experience of being.  We are the eternal moment seeking more. It's a paradox, mountain moment; the direct experience of wholeness produces a search for wholeness that will leave us feeling incomplete, which will, in turn, ultimately lead us back to wholeness. When the forms we sought wholeness in let us down, we begin to discover wholeness in the formless."

by Rolf Gates from Meditations on Intention and Being