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The elimination of all body sensations accounts for much of the perceived experience of pure consciousness, but probably does not totally explain it, since in addition to the loss of body sensation one also has an extraordinarily strong feeling of oneness with all of the universe. One is not just perceiving oneself to be an isolated focus of self-awareness, which an individual might arguably feel if separated from one's body, but one perceives oneself to be an essential part of a much greater whole without any separation from the rest of existence. There is a strong feeling of omniscience. Every question posed has a complete and immediate answer that is totally satisfying. There are no longer any dichotomies or contradictions. One would seem to have access to virtually all previously stored information (memories) within both the conscious and unconscious mind, whether learned or genetically transmitted. This is most probably explained by an enhanced ability of the mind to process much more information simultaneously than when experiencing ordinary consciousness. The higher the level of supraconsciousness state, the more information that is being simultaneously processed within the mind.
This results in a hyperawareness state that is both introspective and extrospective. (One has a greater awareness of information that relates to "self" as well as information that relates to "non-self.") It would also appear that the greater the ratio of true information stored to false information stored, the more closely any new higher-order concept will approximate reality. Creative potential is dramatically amplified during P.E., thus leading to the generation of higher-order concepts as well as enhanced artistic expression. This again reflects, at least in part, the mind's ability to process more information per unit of time. During lesser states of supraconsciousness below the level of a P.E., all feelings are amplified. A telephone ring will cause a more intense startle reaction than during an ordinary state of consciousness. Mild fear can become paranoia. A feeling of happiness can become euphoria. The intensified feelings are similar to those of childhood. The experiencing of supraconsciousness states leads me to conclude that there is a loss of intensity of all feelings with aging that is so insidiously slow that one is not aware of it. During a full peak experience there is a feeling of intense euphoria without any feeling of fear or paranoia. Intense joy or ecstasy, along with a great love for anything and everything, are the only feelings experienced. P.E. can be a deeply felt spiritual experience which others have referred to as mystical. I dislike the latter term because it implies a supernatural event, whereas P.E., even though it is extraordinary, is thought to be a natural phenomenon. It is experienced as "spiritual," at least in part, because one is left with a new and sudden insight well beyond anything previously accepted as truth. One's new level of understanding is perceived as a gift which suddenly springs forth from some external source not previously being part of self. It is also a spiritual experience from the standpoint that one feels much more intensely conscious and has the greatly heightened feeling that there is definitely a meaning and purpose to life.
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