What is transcendence?

Psychologists define transcendence as a state where a person feels connected to something larger than themselves. In the Christian faith, we understand transcendence as feeling deeply connected to God – whether that be in a moment or in a continuous flow. It can also refer to a state of being where we feel a sense of unity with other people. In some faith traditions we might understand it as a moment where one realizes all forms of life are deeply connected to each other. Having transcendent experiences often involves very powerful feelings and these experiences can alter how we see ourselves and our place in the world. These experiences might point us to purposeful endeavors and shift our perspectives beyond our personal concerns.

Have you experienced transcendence?

We have all been caught up in moments that seem to stop time – moments that ground us in the very present and beckon us to take in something beautiful that is uniquely observable. It often happens without our full recognition, but if you think back to the time you last felt joy, gratitude, or deeply connected and loved, these have been the types of moments that have invigorated you physically, emotionally, and spiritually with fresh hope and purpose for your life. 

Although these transcendent moments do happen with or without intentional pursuit, creating opportunities to experience more transcendence can improve the quality of our lives by deepening our connection to our spirituality and to something greater than ourselves. Too often, our religious practices focus on getting to church or synagogue and going through the motions, and we miss opportunities to be present and witness the deeper connections we have to each other and to our ultimate source of love.   

How do we have more transcendent experiences?

Transcendent experiences come in many shapes and sizes. They often occur when in nature—we behold the beauty and wonder of the natural world and often feel connected to the Creator. We can experience transcendence in the small things, like when we gaze down at the sweet face of our child, or while listening to a particular piece of music or looking at a great work of art. We can experience transcendence in the silence of the early morning hours or kneeling in church in prayer. We can experience transcendence as we pursue goals that are deeply important to us and as we seek to grow into the fullness of who we are. We often find transcendence when we offer our gifts to others and the world.  If you need a little boost, try reaching out to someone in need. It’s the ultimate beyond-the-self encounter.

These experiences have the power to change us and reorder our thinking. Many of us can look back at our teenage years and recollect a moment where we felt connected to all people and things. Perhaps this happened at a church camp or a Kairos retreat. These moments can form us, altering how we understand ourselves and they can fortify us for facing difficulties. They have the power to motivate us into purposeful endeavors and growth.