Peak experiences: definition and origin

Human beings have had peak experiences since the most remote times. What happens is that they were seen differently and had been identified with different labels. Thanks to the American psychologist Abraham Maslow, this concept was coined, which psychology somehow accepted and began to use.

Through this post we will show you what a peak experience is all about. In addition, we will teach you what its main characteristics are and the origin of this term in psychology.

What is a peak experience?

Are experiences that occur after achieving self-realization. Furthermore, we can say that they are those wonderful moments of joy that arise from deep sensations and perceptions.

Furthermore, as suggested by Maslow in his book Religions, Values ​​and peak experiences (1964) is a state of unity that has mystical characteristics; “It is an experience in which time fades, feeling is overwhelmed and human needs are fulfilled.”

Origins of the term “peak experience”

The term peak experiences was born in the psychological theories of Abraham Maslow. It happened after this psychologist’s interest in transcendence where he asked about the highest states of human experience and their relationship with psychology.

The importance of this study was that Maslow highlighted the importance of a milestone, that of people satisfying a series of needs in order to reach self-realization.

What he discovered is that there were more intense and transitory moments of self-actualization, which he called “peak experiences.” Also, he suggested that they had a mystical character and that they appeared spaced out over time.

Furthermore, he continued working on this concept and observed that those experiences can be inspired by intense loving emotions, contact with art, music and beauty. He also stated that they can be culminations of acts or discharges.

Characteristics of peak experiences

Abraham Maslow was not the only one who spoke of peak experiences. Other psychologists expanded or outlined his legacy. Let’s look at some of the characteristics that by consensus are currently attributed to peak experiences:

They are a source of positive emotions. They transcend the space and time in which they take place.Its nature is paradoxical.They generate positive effects beyond the moment.They produce the sensation of being one with the universe.There is a feeling of intense positive affect, as well as the perception of perfection. They inspire sensations of freedom and plenitude.

We have all enjoyed peak experiences according to Abraham Maslow. What happens is that sometimes we don’t give them much importance. Thus, we talk about wonderful experiences that we may or may not be aware of. To help you understand it better, I encourage you to think about one of those moments in which a song could have moved you, you licked your lips at the end of a meal or you didn’t want to leave that terrace in the company of friends. .

Remember that this is a moment of ecstasy. To make it easier to identify them in your life, you can ask yourself: What caused my experience? How did I feel it? Did you feel different? Was he aware of time and space? Was it an exciting subject? Did I feel like I fit into the universe?

Seeing a child be born, coming out of a deep depression, being moved by a wonder of the world, feeling extraordinary affection…All of these events could be peak experiences. Also, those moments that amaze us so much that we lose the dimension of time and space, thanks to the fact that we are in deep enjoyment.

In short, peak experiences can be experienced by any human being; thus, we say that they are popular. On the other hand, they do not need consciousness. We can pass by one without identifying it as such. In them there is usually an enormous connection with the immediate environment or focus of attention, while there is a disconnection with the rest.

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