The Transcendent Self
May 11, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003738145-15 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Existentialism Creativity Contemplation Everyday life Burnout Action physics Epistemology Aesthetics Jungian analytical psychology |
| Key points | Proposes that creative engagement can naturally produce transcendent states of unity and flow, and that these can be integrated into everyday life without burnout. |
Abstract
This chapter explores the Transcendent Self, the stage where creative engagement leads to self-transcendence, unity, and profound states of flow. It integrates insights from contemplative science, optimal experience, and existential psychology to illuminate how creativity can dissolve self-boundaries and reveal deeper dimensions of awareness. Readers will learn how transcendent experiences emerge naturally through focused, meaningful creative work, and how to cultivate these states without glorifying burnout or extremes. This chapter offers tools for integrating transcendent moments into everyday life, grounding peak experiences within stable wellbeing. Instead of an escape, this chapter positions self-transcendence as a deeper embodiment of creative presence.