Citation

In this paper the author defines and discusses mystical and paranormal experiences in themselves, in relation to each other, and in relation to the psychiatric conditions mania, depression, schizotypy, and dissociation. It is argued that mystical and paranormal experiences are not necessarily pathological, though they may be associated with these disorders and indeed are more prevalent in these disorders. A single underlying factor called transliminality ("psychological material crossing thresholds into consciousness") illuminates the observed correlations between mystical, paranormal, manic, and schizotypal experiences. The 29-item true/false Rasch Revised Transliminality Scale is available to measure this individual difference.