An initiatory experience is an intense, transformational ordeal in which an individual is subjected to altered states of consciousness, usually in a restricted, liminal space without any specific belief system or pre-defined outcomes. Typically encountered in shamanic rituals, spiritual quests and religious ordeals, such as rites of passage, initiatory experiences create a supra-rational state in which individuals are confronted with the paradox of infinite potential, both creative and destructive, and challenged with the task of transcending their previous identity. Such experiences can be considered catalytic events that bring forth personal growth, emotional and intellectual expansion, and a heightened awareness of personal and collective consciousness.

See also: peak experience, flow state, altered state, non-ordinary state