Development and validation of the higher consciousness scale (HC-18): A new and integrated measure of transcendent experiences

Objective - Transcendent experiences such as mystical, near-death, and Kundalini experiences overlap significantly in their phenomenology and aftereffects. Current theories and psychometric scales fail to explain their overlap. This work psychometrically assesses a theory proposing a common underlying cause, and a peak experience called higher consciousness.Methods - An internet survey of transcendent experiences and their effects was deployed and the responses psychometrically analyzed (n = 630). The unidimensionality of transcendent experiences were assessed. A scale measuring higher consciousness experiences (HC-18) was developed using confirmatory factor analysis. Additional analysis was conducted on the relationship between higher consciousness and self-reported psychological and physical experiences. Results - A variety of transcendent experiences were shown to be essentially unidimensional, i.e., dominated by an underlying construct. The higher consciousness scale demonstrated psychometric validity and reliability, with generalizable and consistent results. A prediction model was created to classify a distinct group of high-intensity higher consciousness experiencers. Psychological and physical predictors of higher consciousness were identified using structural equation modeling regression, including traits of selflessness. A new method with broad applicability is introduced to regularize out-of-sample structural equation modeling predictions, improving accuracy.Conclusions - Findings suggest that a wide range of transcendent experiences share a common underlying mechanism. The validation of the higher consciousness scale provides a way to further investigate this peak experience and its biological counterparts.