Have you ever woken from a vivid dream, felt the weightless pull of an out-of-body sensation? Have you ever emerged from meditation with insights too profound to describe? You might have wondered, Was that a mystical experience? Mystical experiences come in many forms, often transcending ordinary perceptions of time, space, and self. These encounters can leave us changed, curious, or even yearning for more clarity. 

In my work as a spiritual counselor many clients wonder if an experience they’ve had would rate as mystical by the rest of the world. They need assurance that what they think happened and what they feel about it are okay to accept as real – no matter what they call it or what others might think about them. 

Many feel it was mystical and know it was life altering in positive ways, but are a little lost in the new sensation of a higher frequency – a newly expanded reality. Accepting it as a blessing is key. Most of us believe we don’t deserve such attention from God or Source. The next step is understanding that though we are unique as Soul, this type of attention is not special. This is the intimate relationship we should all feel with our creator, but lost during are collective trauma some 12500 years ago.

However, these experiences are more normal than we think. Over the last forty years a big leap in our society’s spiritual evolution has taken place. It has launched these phenomenon into an everyday reality for millions of people. With the dawn of social media, everyone has a chance to see and hear the vast numbers of people telling their amazing, heart warming stories.

Let’s explore five common gateways to the mystical: near-death experiences (NDEs), dreams, astral travel, soul travel, and deep states of meditation.

Near-Death Experiences: A Glimpse Beyond the Veil

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are often described by those who have been close to death or medically revived. These experiences typically involve vivid sensations such as moving through a tunnel, encountering a bright light, or meeting departed loved ones. Some report feeling an overwhelming sense of love and peace, while others receive life-altering messages.

Many NDEs share striking similarities across cultures and belief systems, suggesting a universal aspect to these journeys. Is it the brain’s way of processing the unknown, or are individuals truly stepping into another realm? Regardless of the scientific debate, NDEs frequently leave individuals with profound spiritual insights and a renewed sense of purpose.

Dreams: Windows to the Subconscious and Beyond

Dreams can be another channel for mystical experiences, especially lucid dreams , or those imbued with symbolic meaning. In a lucid dream, you may become aware that you are dreaming and gain the ability to influence the narrative. These dreams often feel more real than waking life, raising questions about the nature of reality itself.

Prophetic dreams feel deeply spiritual. This is often where future events are revealed, or we have encounters with guides, ancestors, or divine beings who discourse on higher knowledge. For many these adventures hold keys to understanding their higher selves or spiritual path.

Astral Travel: The Out-of-Body Journey

Astral travel, also known as an out-of-body experience (OBE), is the sensation of separating your consciousness from your physical body. In this state, many report traveling to distant locations, encountering spiritual entities, or simply observing their physical form from above.

Unlike NDEs, astral travel is often induced intentionally through meditation, focused intention, or specific practices. These journeys provide a sense of liberation and an expanded perspective, suggesting that consciousness is not confined to the physical body. This is my experience with astral travel, since I was very young. It is a way to explore the realms just above our denser physical body. We can consciously move anywhere we choose, it just takes a little practice. Ultimately it is an exercise in consciousness that is very local. The better way lies in soul travel described below. Those who have experienced astral travel know it’s not a vivid use of imagination, but is unmistakably real and transformative.

Soul Travel: The Ultimate Exploration of Self

Soul travel takes astral travel a step further, emphasizing the journey of the soul beyond the physical and astral planes. In this practice, consciousness moves into higher spiritual realms, transcending the material and temporal boundaries of our world. Many who engage in soul travel report encounters with divine wisdom, timeless truths, and profound love.

This practice is often linked to spiritual disciplines and paths like ECKANKAR, which view soul travel as a way to connect with the divine and explore the true essence of being. These experiences often carry a deeper resonance, offering insights that align with universal spiritual laws.

Deep States of Meditation: The Inner Universe

Meditation can act as a doorway to mystical experiences, offering a path to transcend the chatter of the mind and connect with higher states of awareness. In deep meditation, practitioners may experience sensations of oneness, timelessness, or encounters with divine light and sound.

These moments can feel like touching the very fabric of existence, providing clarity, peace, and inspiration. Whether achieved through guided visualization, mantras, or mindfulness, meditation allows us to explore the vast inner universe, reminding us of the infinite nature of our own consciousness.

Interpreting Your Mystical Experience

If you’ve had an experience that feels mystical, take time to reflect on its significance. Journaling your thoughts, dreams, or sensations can help uncover deeper meaning. The act of physical writing (even on a computer) draws down the energy to the here and now. This opens us up to more insight, sometimes in a phenomenal way. The deeper meaning that comes through is an entirely new with greater awareness. The frequency rises and a feeling of warm love can be felt in and all around you. I am still surprised when this happens, even after 35 years of journalling!

Consider these questions:

• What did you feel – what emotions did the experience evoke?
• What insights, messages or lesson did you learn?
• Did it challenge or affirm your beliefs about reality?
• Has it inspired changes in your life, your mindset, or spiritual practices?

While science may not fully explain these phenomena, their personal and spiritual impact is undeniable. Mystical experiences remind us that life is far more magical and interconnected than we often realize. 

The most significant characteristic in nearly every mystical experience I have ever had or have ever heard my clients speak of, is love. An unconditional, all consuming warm love, that is far different than human love. This divine love feels everlasting and infinite – a universal constant, that’s like a cloak of protection and strength.

In Summary

Whether they arise from NDEs, dreams, astral travel, soul travel, or meditation, these glimpses into the extraordinary can be catalysts for growth and transformation.

So, was it a mystical experience? Trust your intuition, your feelings, and the lessons it offers. If you felt something and learned something it’s as real as real needs to be. Let no one sway you on the validity of it. The journey into our mystical Inner lives, is a deeply personal one, and every step brings you closer to understanding the vast love we can channel and infinite nature of existence.

For greater insights and deeper exploration of your mystical journey, check out my other articles and my website to book a 90 minute Spiritual Discovery session. You will be amazed by the spiritual life you’re living.