Time and again, those individuals who are developing rapidly realize that they have contained themselves in too small a cognitive or experiential box. Each time they realize they are in a confinement fashioned of their unexamined beliefs and fears, they struggle to find greater freedom. In the moment of breaking out of the smaller box, they often enter an extraordinary state […] This moment of expansion may be accompanied with a rush of emotion and a greater vulnerability. It can be a time of disorientation when [they] find themselves outside their familiar reference points and in an unknown larger framework.

-Kylea Taylor, Ethics of Caring

Over the years, I have come to understand how common and potentially transformative emergent experiences or “non-ordinary” states of consciousness can be as part of our human developmental process. In fact, research is suggesting that increasing numbers of diverse people – who self-identify as spiritual, religious, agnostic or atheist – are having such experiences spontaneously or through practices such as mindfulness/meditation and yoga.

This life-long process can often lead to a healthy transformed relationship to ourselves, others and something that transcends our individual identities. We can develop a sense of increased peace, well-being, easier connection to the natural world and all beings, compassion and a desire to be in service to the greater good (Emma Bragdon, IMHU).

However, sometimes emergent processes can include phases that disorient, challenge our worldviews, and flush up difficult psychological material. They can feel overwhelming, distressing and tricky to integrate – like an emergency. Sometimes, unfortunately, such experiences may also be misinterpreted and mislabelled as mental illness.

The term “spiritual emergency” was coined by psychiatrist Dr. Stan Grof and his wife, Christina Grof to address this kind of a challenging cross-roads in our development. There is a range of other ways of naming such experiences: For example, transformation through turmoil (Steve Taylor), positive disintegration (Dabrowski), transformational crisis, spiritually transformative experiences (Yvonne Kason), peak experiences (Abraham Maslow), paradigm-shifting insights, inner awakening….

One of the most helpful ways to integrate one’s experiences can be in conversation with others who are undergoing a similar experience or who have navigated the territory in the past.


Emergence Share Circles bring together fellow travellers for the purpose of sharing and listening to our varied profound inner experiences and processes, challenges and all. Gathering together within a confidential, accepting community allows us the opportunity to honour, make meaning of and integrate aspects of our lived experience. It also reminds us of our common humanity.

DATE: Zoom drop-in on the last Sunday of every month

TIME: 11.00 am – 12:30 pm (PT); 7.00 pm-8.30 pm (GMT); 8.00 pm-9.30 pm (CET)

COST: By donation


It is important to note that this is not a therapy group, but a supportive container. Participants are encouraged to have or choose other modalities to support their process.

For more information or to register, connect with Ariadne at spiralsofchange@protonmail.com or Helen at highland.holotropic@gmail.com. You can also use the Contact Form.


For more information about Spiritual Emergence/y, please visit the Resources page.