Ecstacy is defined as an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement. It’s also known as an emotional or religious frenzy or trancelike state, originally one involving an experience of mystic self-transcendence. Then there is the pharmacological definition referring to the drug – an amphetamine-based synthetic drug with euphoric and hallucinatory effects, originally promoted as an adjunct to psychotherapy.
Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal report in their book “Stealing Fire” how Silicon Valley, the Navy Seals and Maverick Scientists are revolutionizing the way we live and work by getting into a state of Ecstasis. It’s a fascinating look at research experiments and applications of this joyful, focused heightened state of awareness that dates back to the ancient Greeks, William James at Harvard University to the present research into FLOW and High Performance.
The research shows that when in this state there is a noticeable shift in brain waves to Alpha and Theta and the brain releases the neuro-chemicals of serotonin, oxytocin, anandamide, dopamine, norepinephrine and endorphins. This cascade of brain chemicals decreases pain, boosts lateral thinking, prompting feelings of peace, well-being, trust and sociability. This non-ordinary state, as it’s called lets us perceive and process more of what’s going on around us and with greater accuracy.
The information richness of a non-ordinary state affords us perspective to make connections where none may have existed before. According to the authors, it doesn’t seem to matter which technique we deploy to get there: mindfulness training, technological stimulation, or pharmacological priming, the end results are substantial. Research reports a 200% boost in creativity, a 490% boost in learning and a 500% boost in productivity.
It is my observation that by far using a mindfulness training, Silva Method Dynamic Meditation training or other proven modalities is the safest and surest way to take command and control of our lives from the inside out. Psychologists at the University of North Carolina in a 2009 study found that even four days of meditation produced significant improvements in attention, memory, vigilance, creativity and cognitive flexibility. This by the way is still yet another reason why I offer and recommend the Silva four day Immersion experience where we spend more than 50% of our time practicing Dynamic Meditation.
Imagine your possibilities when you can sustain a heightened state of awareness – Ecstasis!
If you would like to explore about the Silva Method 4 Day Immersion Experience, click here.
If you would like to find out more about Dynamic Meditation applications to take command of your life, click here.
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