Ecstasy, or “ecstasis” (from the Greek), is a state of heightened mental and emotional experience, a bridge between the mundane and spiritual realms. It is marked by a deep felt connection and surrender to something larger, a dissolution of boundaries and a sense of interconnection to all things. It can manifest as an ecstatic joyous flow, a profound sense of inner peace, or a deep communion with the divine. It may be arrived at through meditation, prayer, ritual, or creativity, and is often accompanied by other physical, mental and emotional sensations and a feeling of being “in the moment”. Ecstasy can facilitate extraordinary insight, creative potency and can provide a sense of purpose, as as well as insight into one’s own power and strength.

See also: delta wave, flow state, peak experience, catharsis, altered state