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Living Transcendence
What is the lived experience of stabilized spiritual consciousness?
Across contemplative traditions, spiritual exemplars describe a stable spiritual “high plateau”* in which shifts in identity, perception, and daily life endure. This research investigates the lived characteristics of such stabilized spiritual consciousness, often regarded as the culmination of spiritual practice.
* “High plateau”: a term coined by humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow to describe a lasting mode of spiritual realization that endures beyond temporary “peak experiences.”
Research snapshot
How the inquiry is conducted
Research approach
Phenomenological interviews · Comparative thematic analysis · Cross-tradition comparison · Conceptual analysis
Current research material
Comparative interviews with 32 spiritual exemplars · Multiple contemplative traditions · Ongoing publications
This line of inquiry draws on a growing comparative archive of interviews with spiritual exemplars from multiple traditions.
Why this question matters
Beyond the temporary peak
Most scientific and psychological studies of spirituality focus on temporary experiences or short-term transformations. Yet many contemplative traditions describe a more enduring form of realization that becomes integrated into everyday life.
This line of inquiry investigates the phenomenology of that stabilized condition through doctoral research, comparative interviews, thematic analysis, and conceptual analysis.
In their own words
Voices from the archive
How do spiritual exemplars describe enduring realization in their own words? Selected quotations and interview clips reveal both recurring patterns and distinctive individual expressions.
J Jaye Gold
Unaffiliated • CA, USA
Living Transcendence Interview
Igor Kufayev
Kashmir Shaivism • Mallorca, Spain
Living Transcendence Interview
Publications
Published & emerging work
Featured publication
Living Transcendence and Spiritual Exemplarity
A phenomenological investigation of stabilized spiritual consciousness across contemplative traditions, as described by individuals exemplifying it.
Related publications
- Freimann, A., et al. (2025). Living transcendence: A phenomenological study of spiritual exemplars. The Humanistic Psychologist.
- Freimann, A., & Berkovich-Ohana, A. (2024). Enlightened Joy and Love, Selflessness and Beyond. In Happiness and the Psychology of Enlightenment. IntechOpen.
- Freimann, A., et al. (2025). Self-Transformative Research. Journal of Contemplative Studies.
Open research questions
- What distinguishes a temporary spiritual experience from a stabilized realization?
- Does stabilized spiritual consciousness spontaneously develop care, compassion and conscience?
Research notes & conversations
Thinking in progress
Ongoing reflections, essays, and video commentaries exploring questions, findings, and emerging ideas within this line of inquiry — and inviting further reflection and discussion.
Part of one inquiry
Continue the inquiry
Take the same inquiry into your own experience — or discover the other lines of inquiry.