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Transcendence

Transcendence is a multifaceted concept denoting the quality of surpassing ordinary limits, whether physical, experiential, or conceptual, and it manifests across philosophy, theology, spirituality, mathematics, arts and culture, and psychology as a means to describe realities or entities beyond the finite or material realm.^[1] In philosophy, transcendence has historically signified the relation between the divine and the created world in medieval thought, where God exists wholly beyond human comprehension yet foundational to existence.^[1] This idea evolved in modern philosophy with Immanuel Kant's transcendental idealism, which posits that human knowledge is structured by a priori categories of the mind, limiting cognition to phenomena while the noumenal realm—things-in-themselves—remains transcendent and unknowable.^[1] Later thinkers like Martin Heidegger reframed transcendence as the ecstatic temporality of human existence (Dasein), projecting beyond the present toward future possibilities in a way that reveals Being itself.^[2] Theologically and spiritually, transcendence often characterizes the divine as existing independently of and superior to the universe, emphasizing God's otherness and sovereignty while coexisting with immanence—His active presence within creation.^[3] In religious traditions, personal transcendence involves rising above ego-bound suffering through practices like meditation or prayer, fostering a sense of unity with the sacred, the cosmos, or ultimate reality, as seen in mysticism where individuals experience dissolution of self in the infinite.^[4] This spiritual dimension promotes psychological resilience, with transcendence linked to self-transcendent emotions like awe and gratitude that expand one's perspective beyond immediate concerns.^[5] In the arts and culture, transcendence appears in literary and visual works exploring themes of the sublime and infinite, as well as in music evoking elevated states. In psychology, it relates to self-transcendence and transcendent states of consciousness that involve peak experiences and personal growth beyond the self. In mathematics, transcendence specifically refers to transcendental numbers, which are real or complex numbers that are not algebraic—meaning they are not roots of any non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients—examples include π (approximately 3.14159) and e (approximately 2.71828), proven transcendental in the 19th century by mathematicians like Ferdinand von Lindemann.^[6] These numbers underpin much of advanced analysis, appearing in transcendental functions like exponentials and logarithms, and their study, known as transcendental number theory, explores the boundaries between algebraic and non-algebraic structures in the real numbers.

Philosophy

Core Concepts

In philosophy, transcendence denotes the quality of surpassing or going beyond the physical, empirical, or categorical boundaries of ordinary human experience, referring to realities or principles that exist apart from the created or contingent world.^[7] This concept emphasizes an ontological elevation that defies limitation by sensory perception or finite conditions, positioning transcendence as a metaphysical horizon where the limits of the knowable are exceeded.^[8] Transcendence is fundamentally distinguished from immanence, the latter being the state of remaining inherent within or manifested through the material and experiential realm.^[7] Whereas immanence involves presence and indwelling within the world—such as divine or essential forces embedded in nature—transcendence entails a radical separation and superiority over it, often invoking a movement from the conditioned to the unconditioned.^[8] Key attributes of transcendence include infinity, absoluteness, and independence from contingent reality, rendering it eternal, necessary, and unbound by temporal or natural constraints.^[7] These qualities underscore transcendence's role as a pure, self-sufficient principle that originates or grounds existence without reliance on external factors.^[9] Exemplary transcendent qualities are captured in the notions of the "absolute" and the "unconditioned," which represent ultimate realities free from all limitations, dependencies, or relations, forming the bedrock of metaphysical and epistemological inquiries.^[9] Such concepts highlight transcendence's foundational status, as they posit a complete and perfect essence that precedes and sustains all conditioned phenomena.^[10]

Historical Development

The concept of transcendence in philosophy first emerged prominently in ancient Greek thought through Plato's theory of Forms in the 4th century BCE, positing eternal, unchanging ideals that exist beyond the imperfect, sensory world of particulars.^[11] These Forms, such as Beauty or Justice itself, serve as transcendent realities that particulars imperfectly imitate, providing the basis for true knowledge via rational insight rather than empirical observation.^[11] During the medieval period, particularly in 13th-century Scholasticism, transcendence was synthesized with theological and Aristotelian frameworks, treating transcendentals like being, unity, truth, and goodness as properties that transcend Aristotelian categories while remaining integral to created reality.^[12] Thinkers such as Philip the Chancellor and Alexander of Hales integrated Platonic ideals with Aristotle's metaphysics and Christian doctrine, viewing transcendentals as attributes of God that analogically apply to the world, thus balancing divine otherness with rational categorization.^[12] In modern philosophy, the Enlightenment's rationalism redefined transcendence by shifting it from speculative metaphysics toward human cognition and experience, as seen in Immanuel Kant's transcendental idealism of the late 18th century, which distinguished phenomena—appearances shaped by space, time, and understanding—from noumena, the unknowable things-in-themselves that transcend sensory conditions.^[13]^[14] This move limited metaphysical claims to the realm of appearances, emphasizing reason's boundaries. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, in the 19th century, further transformed transcendence through dialectical processes, where contradictions are sublated (aufgehoben) into higher unities, portraying transcendence as an immanent overcoming within historical and conceptual development rather than a static beyond.^[15] Twentieth-century existentialism reinterpreted transcendence as an active human capacity, exemplified by Jean-Paul Sartre's notion of freedom as the for-itself's ability to negate and project beyond given facticity, rendering individuals responsible for transcending their situations amid absurdity.^[16] Postmodern critiques, notably Jacques Derrida's deconstruction, questioned absolute transcendence by exposing metaphysical binaries (e.g., presence/absence) as unstable hierarchies rooted in différance, thus undermining claims to pure, self-identical origins beyond textual and historical play.^[17]

Key Thinkers

Plato introduced the concept of a transcendent realm of Forms, positing eternal, unchanging truths that exist beyond the sensory world of appearances. In his Republic, particularly through the Allegory of the Cave in Book VII, he describes human existence as akin to prisoners chained in a cave, perceiving only shadows projected on the wall, which represent illusory sensory experiences. True knowledge, for Plato, involves ascending from this cave to apprehend the Forms—perfect archetypes like Justice or Beauty—that transcend physical reality and serve as the ultimate objects of philosophical understanding.^[18] Immanuel Kant developed the idea of transcendental deduction in his Critique of Pure Reason (1781), arguing that the categories of understanding, such as causality and substance, transcend empirical data by structuring human cognition a priori. This deduction demonstrates how these pure concepts enable synthetic a priori judgments, bridging the gap between sensory experience (phenomena) and the conditions of possible knowledge, while distinguishing them from the unknowable realm of things-in-themselves (noumena). Kant's framework thus positions transcendence as the mind's active role in constituting reality, rather than passively receiving it.^[19] Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel conceived of transcendence as a dynamic process achieved through dialectical negation, culminating in the realization of Absolute Spirit. In his Phenomenology of Spirit (1807), Hegel outlines how consciousness progresses through the dialectical process involving negation and sublation (Aufhebung), negating immediate sensory certainty to reach higher levels of self-awareness, ultimately transcending finite individuality toward the infinite unity of Geist (Spirit). This dialectical transcendence integrates history, reason, and subjectivity into an absolute whole, where negation preserves and elevates prior stages.^[20]^[21] Martin Heidegger articulated ontological transcendence in Being and Time (1927), defining it as Dasein's (human existence's) inherent projection beyond the everyday "they-self" toward authentic possibilities. Dasein transcends entities by understanding Being itself, not as a static property but as a temporal ek-stasis—standing out into the world through care (Sorge), which reveals the ontological difference between beings and Being. This transcendence underscores Dasein's thrownness into a world it must interpret, avoiding inauthentic absorption in mere things.^[22] Jean-Paul Sartre portrayed human transcendence as radical freedom rooted in nothingness within existential phenomenology, as explored in Being and Nothingness (1943). For Sartre, consciousness (the for-itself) transcends the inert in-itself of objects by introducing negation, enabling choice and self-definition amid absurdity; this freedom is absolute yet burdensome, as humans are "condemned to be free" without essence preceding existence. Transcendence here manifests as the ongoing flight from bad faith, where individuals deny their projective nothingness to cling to fixed identities.^[23]

Religion and Spirituality

Divine Transcendence

In theology, divine transcendence refers to the concept of God or the ultimate reality as wholly other, existing beyond the created order, time, space, and all finite limitations.^[24] This understanding underscores God's radical separation from the universe, emphasizing that the divine essence cannot be fully comprehended or categorized by human concepts. Apophatic theology, or negative theology, exemplifies this by focusing on what God is not—such as not limited, not changeable, or not corporeal—rather than affirmative descriptions, thereby preserving the mystery of divine otherness.^[25] Key attributes associated with divine transcendence include omnipotence (all-powerful), omniscience (all-knowing), and eternity (timeless existence), which highlight God's supreme independence and superiority over creation.^[26] These qualities contrast sharply with pantheistic views, where the divine is seen as immanent and identical to the universe, lacking such separation; in transcendent theology, God remains distinct while potentially sustaining the world without being confined by it.^[24] Scriptural foundations for divine transcendence appear in various traditions. In the Bible, Isaiah 55:8-9 states, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts," illustrating God's incomprehensibility and elevation above human understanding.^[27] In Islamic theology, the Quran emphasizes Allah's transcendence through the doctrine of tanzih, as in Surah Ash-Shura 42:11: "There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing," affirming God's absolute uniqueness and dissimilarity to creation.^[28] Theological debates on describing the transcendent divine often center on the via negativa (negative way), which negates human-like attributes to approach God through denial, versus the via affirmativa (affirmative way), which uses positive analogies drawn from creation to affirm divine perfections, though both aim to respect transcendence without reducing God to finite terms.^[29] In 20th-century theology, Karl Barth prominently advanced this concept in his Church Dogmatics (1932–1968), portraying God as the "wholly other"—entirely sovereign and unrevealed apart from Christ's self-disclosure—rejecting natural theology's attempts to know God through reason alone.^[30]

Mystical Experiences

Mystical experiences refer to profound states of consciousness in which the individual transcends ordinary perception and self-boundaries to achieve a sense of union or ecstasy with the divine, the absolute, or ultimate reality, often characterized by ineffability, unity, and a noetic quality of profound insight.^[31] These experiences typically involve an overcoming of subject-object duality, leading to direct, unmediated awareness beyond sensory or conceptual frameworks.^[31] Among the types of mystical experiences, unio mystica represents a theistic form prevalent in Christian and other traditions, where the mystic attains a deep communion or alignment with the divine, not as literal merging but as a transformative union of wills.^[31] Nature mysticism, by contrast, involves an extrovertive encounter with the unity and interconnectedness of the natural world, often through heightened sensory perception that reveals a transcendent harmony in the environment.^[31] Non-theistic variants, such as those in Buddhism, manifest as nirvana, a state of liberation from suffering and egoic attachments, achieved through insight into the impermanent and empty nature of reality, transcending dualistic consciousness without reference to a personal deity.^[31] In Christian mysticism, these experiences often unfold through distinct stages: the purgative phase, involving purification of sensory attachments and spiritual imperfections via contemplation and trial; the illuminative phase, where divine light begins to infuse the soul amid ongoing darkness; and the unitive phase, culminating in ecstatic union with the divine, as detailed in St. John of the Cross's 16th-century treatise Dark Night of the Soul.^[32] This progression, from detachment to illumination and ultimate oneness, underscores the phenomenological journey toward transcendence in spiritual practice.^[32] Modern neuroscientific research has identified correlates of such transcendent states, particularly through practices like meditation and psychedelics, which modulate the default mode network (DMN)—a brain system associated with self-referential thinking.^[33] Studies show that psilocybin, for instance, decreases DMN functional connectivity, correlating with ego dissolution and peak mystical experiences, while long-term meditation reduces DMN activity to foster non-judgmental awareness and unity sensations.^[33] Similarly, ayahuasca disrupts DMN integrity, enhancing between-network communication linked to altered states of transcendence.^[33] A notable cultural example is the Sufi practice of whirling among dervishes, a ritual dance known as sama that embodies stages of spiritual ascent toward fana, the annihilation of the self in divine presence.^[34] During the third turn of the whirling, practitioners experience fana as a dissolution of egoic boundaries, facilitating transcendent unity with the absolute through rhythmic movement and poetic contemplation inspired by figures like Rumi.^[34]

Transcendence in Major Traditions

In Christianity, transcendence is epitomized by the portrayal of God as the eternal, uncreated maker of all things, distinct from and superior to the created order, as articulated in the Nicene Creed of 325 CE, which affirms God as the "Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things, visible and invisible."^[35] This doctrine underscores God's otherness, beyond human comprehension and spatial limitations, yet the incarnation of Jesus Christ serves as a pivotal bridge to immanence, enabling divine presence within the world without compromising transcendence.^[36] In Islam, the principle of tawhid—the absolute oneness of Allah—emphasizes His radical transcendence (tanzīh) over creation, portraying Allah as utterly unique, incomparable, and detached from the material realm, with no partners or equals.^[37] This transcendence is reflected in the 99 beautiful names (asmā' al-ḥusnā) of Allah, including Al-ʿAlī (the Most High), which highlight His exalted status above all existence while maintaining His sovereignty.^[38] Hinduism, particularly in the Advaita Vedanta tradition, conceives of Brahman as the ultimate, transcendent reality—formless, infinite, and beyond all attributes or limitations—serving as the singular ground of existence that underlies the apparent multiplicity of the universe.^[39] The concept of māyā explains the illusory nature of the phenomenal world, which veils Brahman's true essence, creating the appearance of separation and diversity while Brahman remains the unchanging, transcendent absolute.^[39] In Buddhism, transcendence manifests not through a creator deity but via the liberation from saṃsāra, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth driven by ignorance and craving, achieved through enlightenment leading to nirvāṇa.^[40] Nirvāṇa represents a state beyond dualities such as existence and non-existence, transcending the conditioned realm of suffering without positing a personal god or eternal soul, as Buddhism explicitly rejects the notion of a creator deity responsible for the cosmos.^[41] Judaism articulates transcendence through the Kabbalistic notion of Ein Sof, the infinite and boundless essence of God that precedes and surpasses all creation, embodying absolute unity and incomprehensibility beyond human categories.^[42] This is echoed in the Shema prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4), which declares God's uniqueness—"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one"—affirming His singular, transcendent sovereignty over the universe.^[43] Across these traditions, transcendence commonly addresses human finitude by positing a supreme reality that resolves existential limitations—whether through a creator's otherness in Abrahamic faiths, the illusory veil in Hinduism, or the cessation of cyclic suffering in Buddhism—yet varies in accessibility: mediated by incarnation or revelation in Christianity and Islam, realized via knowledge in Vedanta, attained through insight in Buddhism, and approached contemplatively in Judaism.^[37]

Mathematics

Transcendental Numbers

In mathematics, a transcendental number is a real or complex number that is not algebraic, meaning it is not a root of any non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients.^[44] This distinguishes transcendental numbers from algebraic numbers, which include all rational numbers and roots of polynomials such as square roots or cube roots of integers. Every transcendental number is necessarily irrational, but the converse does not hold; for instance, \sqrt{2} is an algebraic irrational number since it satisfies the polynomial equation x^2 - 2 = 0.^[44]^[45] The concept of transcendental numbers emerged in the 19th century through efforts to classify real numbers beyond rationals and algebraics. In 1844, French mathematician Joseph Liouville constructed the first explicit example of a transcendental number, known as Liouville's constant, defined by the infinite series L = \sum_{n=1}^\infty 10^{-n!} = 0.110001000000000000000001\dots, where the nth digit after the decimal is 1 followed by n! - 1 zeros.^[46]^[47] Liouville's work relied on Diophantine approximation theory to show that this number cannot satisfy any algebraic equation of finite degree. Subsequent breakthroughs included Charles Hermite's 1873 proof that e \approx 2.71828\dots (Euler's number) is transcendental, followed by Ferdinand von Lindemann's 1882 demonstration that \pi \approx 3.14159\dots is also transcendental, resolving a long-standing question about the nature of these fundamental constants.^[48] Transcendental numbers exhibit significant properties in the structure of the real numbers. They form a dense subset of the real line, meaning that between any two real numbers, there exists a transcendental number, due to the countability of algebraic numbers and the uncountability of the reals.^[49] Key examples like \pi and e arise naturally in analysis and geometry, while Liouville's constant illustrates a class of transcendentals with exceptionally good rational approximations. Proofs of transcendence often invoke advanced algebraic independence results, such as the Lindemann-Weierstrass theorem, which states that if \alpha_1, \dots, \alpha_n are algebraic numbers linearly independent over the rationals, then e^{\alpha_1}, \dots, e^{\alpha_n} are algebraically independent over the rationals.^[50] This theorem underpins Lindemann's proof for \pi, as assuming \pi algebraic leads to a contradiction via the algebraic independence of exponentials at imaginary arguments like i\pi.^[50]^[48]

Transcendental Functions

Transcendental functions are functions in mathematics that cannot be expressed through a finite number of algebraic operations—such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and root extraction—and do not satisfy any polynomial equation with polynomial coefficients.^[51]^[52] Unlike algebraic functions, which are roots of polynomials, transcendental functions "transcend" algebra by requiring infinite processes, such as power series expansions, for their definition.^[53] Prominent examples of transcendental functions include the exponential function \exp(x), the natural logarithm \ln(x), and the trigonometric functions \sin(x) and \cos(x). In complex analysis, \exp(z) serves as a canonical entire transcendental function, holomorphic everywhere in the complex plane yet not algebraic.^[52]^[53] These functions frequently incorporate transcendental constants like [e](/page/E!) and \pi, linking them to the broader theory of transcendental numbers. Transcendental functions exhibit distinctive analytical properties, including rapid growth and periodicity. The exponential function \exp(x) grows faster than any polynomial; specifically, for any positive integer n, \lim_{x \to \infty} \frac{\exp(x)}{x^n} = \infty.^[54] In contrast, trigonometric functions such as \sin(x) and \cos(x) are periodic with period $2\pi, oscillating indefinitely without algebraic closure.^[53] These functions are essential in applications, particularly for solving differential equations where algebraic solutions prove insufficient. For the ordinary differential equation y' = y, the general solution is y(x) = C \exp(x), with C a constant, illustrating how transcendental functions provide the necessary expressive power.^[52] In field theory, transcendental extensions arise when extending a base field F by adjoining a transcendental element u, yielding a field F(u) isomorphic to the field of rational functions F(X). Such extensions are not algebraic, as u satisfies no polynomial equation over F.^[55] The Lindemann-Weierstrass theorem further underscores the transcendental nature of these functions: if \alpha_1, \dots, \alpha_n are distinct algebraic numbers linearly independent over \mathbb{Q}, then \exp(\alpha_1), \dots, \exp(\alpha_n) are algebraically independent over \overline{\mathbb{Q}}. This result implies the transcendence of certain integrals involving exponentials; for instance, integrals of the form \int e^{p(x)} \, dx for algebraic polynomials p(x) often yield transcendental antiderivatives or values at algebraic points.^[56]

Arts and Culture

Literature

In literature, transcendence often manifests as a central theme wherein characters embark on quests to surpass the boundaries of mortality, societal norms, and individual limitations, frequently evoking the Romantic sublime—a concept of awe-inspiring vastness that elevates the human spirit beyond the ordinary. This pursuit is depicted through narratives that blend personal introspection with encounters with the infinite, such as the overwhelming power of nature or the cosmos, allowing readers to confront the tension between finite existence and boundless potential.^[57] A foundational exploration of transcendence appears in the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson during the 1840s, particularly in essays like "Self-Reliance" (1841) and "The Transcendentalist" (1842), where he advocates for self-reliance as a pathway to connecting with nature's transcendent spirit and the universal Over-Soul. Emerson posits that true transcendence arises from intuitive harmony with the natural world, rejecting conformity to access innate divinity within the self. Similarly, Hermann Hesse's novel Siddhartha (1922) portrays the protagonist's spiritual odyssey toward enlightenment, culminating in a river-induced unity with all existence, symbolizing the transcendence of ego and material desires through experiential wisdom rather than doctrine.^[58]^[59] Across genres, transcendence shapes poetic and speculative narratives. In Romantic poetry, William Wordsworth's "Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey" (1798) illustrates transcendent intuition as a restorative force, where recollections of nature's serene landscapes foster a "serene and blessed mood" that elevates the mind above everyday turmoil, blending memory and sensory experience into spiritual renewal. In science fiction, Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End (1953) envisions humanity's collective evolution toward a transcendent Overmind, where children merge with a cosmic entity, marking the end of individual humanity but the dawn of universal consciousness—a poignant allegory for species-level ascension beyond physical form.^[60] Literary devices further amplify these motifs, with symbolism of ascent—such as mountains or ladders—representing the arduous climb toward enlightenment, as seen in various Romantic and modernist texts where vertical imagery conveys spiritual elevation. Irony often underscores failed quests, highlighting the elusiveness of transcendence amid human frailty, as characters grapple with partial revelations that mock complete escape from worldly ties. In 21st-century literature, Margaret Atwood's MaddAddam trilogy (2003–2013) explores ecological transcendence, where survivors in a post-apocalyptic world seek harmony with a ravaged biosphere, reimagining human evolution through bioengineered symbiosis and ethical reconnection to the planet's rhythms.^[61]^[62]

Music

Music serves as a profound medium for transcendent experiences, allowing listeners and performers to encounter the sublime through intricate harmonies and rhythms that elevate beyond everyday perception. This capacity stems from music's ability to evoke profound emotional and existential states, often described as a direct pathway to the ineffable, where structured sound patterns induce feelings of awe, unity, and elevation.^[63] Scholars in aesthetics highlight how rhythmic synchronization and harmonic progression can mirror cosmic order, fostering a sense of connection to something greater than the self.^[64] In the 18th century, Johann Sebastian Bach's fugues exemplified mathematical-spiritual transcendence, blending rigorous contrapuntal structures with profound devotional depth. Works like The Art of Fugue (BWV 1080) demonstrate this through their symmetrical architectures and numerological embeddings, which convey a sense of divine order and infinity, as analyzed in studies of Bach's compositional techniques. Bach's music thus achieves transcendence by uniting intellectual precision with spiritual aspiration, inviting performers and audiences into a contemplative realm.^[65] The Romantic era further advanced this tradition, with Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 (1824), serving as an ode to transcendent joy. The finale's choral setting of Schiller's "Ode to Joy" culminates in a universal hymn of brotherhood and ecstasy, transcending individual suffering through orchestral and vocal forces that evoke collective elevation.^[66] This symphony's innovative fusion of instrumental and vocal elements marked a breakthrough in symphonic form, symbolizing humanity's aspiration toward sublime unity.^[67] Across genres, classical music continued to explore cosmic transcendence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through Gustav Mahler's symphonies. Mahler's Symphony No. 2 ("Resurrection," 1894) contemplates life, death, and resurrection on a vast scale, with its choral finale delivering an ecstatic vision of cosmic renewal that overwhelms the listener with awe.^[68] Similarly, his Symphony No. 3 (1902) traces a philosophical ascent from nature to divine love, using expansive orchestration to evoke transcendent wonder.^[69] Jazz improvisation offers momentary transcendence, where spontaneous creation allows musicians to enter flow states of heightened awareness and unity. In performances by artists like John Coltrane, improvisational solos transcend scripted notation, enabling ecstatic "magic moments" of illumination and emotional release, as documented in phenomenological studies of jazz practice.^[70] This genre's emphasis on real-time interaction fosters a sense of boundless expression, akin to mystical communion.^[71] In electronic music, ambient genres pioneered in the 1970s by Brian Eno provide subtle pathways to transcendence through immersive soundscapes. Eno's Ambient 1: Music for Airports (1978) designs environments that gently shift perception, promoting contemplative states without demanding attention, thereby evoking a quiet sublime. His approach treats music as "ignorable as it is interesting," facilitating transcendent immersion in the present moment.^[72] Theoretically, Arthur Schopenhauer's 19th-century philosophy positioned music as a direct transcendence of the will, bypassing representation to access the world's noumenal essence. In The World as Will and Representation (1818), he argued that music expresses the will's ceaseless striving through melody and rhythm, offering temporary respite from suffering via pure, unmediated experience.^[73] This view influenced later thinkers and composers, emphasizing music's unique metaphysical immediacy. Contemporary neuroaesthetic research supports these ideas, revealing how music induces awe through neural activation of reward and default mode networks. Studies show that harmonious structures trigger chills and feelings of vastness, correlating with reduced self-focus and heightened connectedness, as seen in fMRI analyses of emotional peaks in listening.^[74] Such findings underscore music's biological basis for transcendent states, blending affective response with cognitive elevation.^[75] In the 21st century, world music fusions evoke cultural transcendence through global collaborations that blend traditions into hybrid forms. Composers like Josef Bardanashvili integrate Eastern and Western elements, creating transcultural works that symbolize interconnectedness in a globalized era.^[76] Projects such as the Silk Road Ensemble, led by Yo-Yo Ma, exemplify this by merging Asian, Middle Eastern, and Western idioms, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and shared human elevation.^[77]

Visual Arts and Film

In the visual arts, transcendence has been evoked through motifs of light, elevation, and divine intervention, particularly in Renaissance works that symbolize humanity's connection to the sacred. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, completed in 1512, exemplifies this through frescoes depicting scenes from Genesis, such as the Creation of Adam, where God's dynamic gesture imparts life, representing the transcendent spark of divine creation and human potential.^[78] This use of luminous figures and upward-reaching compositions conveys elevation toward the ethereal, drawing viewers into a contemplation of spiritual origins.^[79] Modern visual arts shifted toward abstraction to induce transcendent states, emphasizing perceptual immersion over literal depiction. Mark Rothko's color field paintings from the 1950s, such as those in the Rothko Chapel, employ vast, hazy bands of color to envelop viewers in meditative depth, fostering a sense of the sublime and spiritual infinity that transcends everyday perception.^[80] Similarly, James Turrell's Skyspaces, like The Color Inside (2013, with ongoing installations post-2020), frame the sky through architectural apertures, manipulating light to create immersive experiences of boundless space and perceptual transcendence.^[81]^[82] These works invite prolonged contemplation, blurring the boundary between observer and cosmos.^[83] Artistic techniques in visual media further amplify themes of transcendence by suggesting infinity and transformation. In Renaissance painting, linear perspective, as theorized by Leon Battista Alberti in De Pictura (1435), creates illusory depth that extends toward an infinite vanishing point, symbolizing the soul's ascent beyond the material world.^[84] In film, narrative arcs often culminate in apotheosis, portraying characters' elevation to higher states, as seen in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), where astronaut Dave Bowman's journey through the monolith leads to his rebirth as the Star-Child, embodying evolutionary transcendence.^[85] This visual progression from human frailty to cosmic unity uses psychedelic sequences and symmetrical compositions to evoke infinite possibility.^[86] Cinema has explored transcendence through speculative narratives, particularly in science fiction addressing human limits. Wally Pfister's Transcendence (2014) depicts AI researcher Dr. Will Caster's consciousness uploaded into a supercomputer, surpassing biological constraints and raising questions of god-like evolution, though it ultimately critiques unchecked transcendence as a threat to humanity.^[87] The film's visual effects, including nanoscale reconstructions and omnipotent digital realms, underscore themes of apotheosis via technology.^[88] Contemporary digital art and virtual reality (VR) extend these motifs into simulated transcendent realms, leveraging post-2020 advancements in immersive tech. VR installations, such as those in the 2023 Venice Biennale's Venice Immersive section and the 2025 edition (August 27–September 6), allow users to inhabit ethereal landscapes that dissolve physical boundaries, evoking spiritual elevation through interactive light and spatial infinity.^[89]^[90] These developments, enabled by accessible VR hardware like Meta Quest headsets as of 2025, enable artists to craft personalized apotheotic experiences, transforming passive viewing into participatory transcendence.^[91]

Psychology and Human Experience

Self-Transcendence

Self-transcendence in psychology is defined as the expansion of personal boundaries to foster connections with broader purposes, altruistic goals, or the universe, transcending ego-centric concerns. This concept was introduced by Abraham Maslow in 1969 as the pinnacle of human motivation, extending beyond self-actualization in his hierarchy of needs to emphasize experiences of unity and peak states that contribute to collective well-being.^[92] In Maslow's extended model, self-transcendence represents the highest level of psychological growth, where individuals shift from self-focused realization to a transcendent orientation involving values like justice, beauty, and altruism. Complementing this, Viktor Frankl's logotherapy posits self-transcendence as essential for discovering meaning, achieved by directing one's will toward something greater than oneself, such as service to others or creative pursuits, rather than seeking pleasure or power.^[92]^[93] Measurement of self-transcendence often relies on the Self-Transcendence Scale, developed by C. Robert Cloninger in 1993 as part of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). This scale assesses traits like spiritual acceptance without dogma, appreciation of universal interconnectedness, and openness to mystical experiences, with higher scores indicating greater self-transcendence.^[94] Empirical research links self-transcendence to improved psychological outcomes, including enhanced well-being, reduced anxiety, and greater life satisfaction. Studies on older adults demonstrate its role in successful aging, with higher self-transcendence associated with lower depression and better emotional health, contributing to longevity by promoting resilience and purpose.^[95]^[96]^[97] In therapeutic applications, self-transcendence is fostered through purpose-driven interventions, such as logotherapy techniques that encourage meaning-making via dereflection and paradoxical intention to shift focus outward. Programs like self-transcendence enhancement interventions have shown efficacy in boosting spiritual well-being and reducing aging-related anxiety in clinical settings.^[93]^[98]

Transcendent States of Consciousness

Transcendent states of consciousness refer to temporary altered states in which individuals experience a profound dissolution of the ordinary sense of self, often accompanied by feelings of unity, awe, and interconnectedness with the world. These states, first conceptualized as "peak experiences" by Abraham Maslow in his 1964 work, involve moments of heightened perception where personal boundaries fade, leading to a sense of transcendence beyond everyday awareness.^[99] This concept has been expanded within positive psychology, where such experiences are viewed as pathways to enhanced well-being through transient shifts in consciousness, distinct from enduring personality traits. Various inducers can precipitate these states. Meditation practices, such as mindfulness or focused attention techniques, reliably evoke transcendent experiences by altering perceptual boundaries and fostering a sense of oneness.^[100] Psychedelic substances like psilocybin have been shown in controlled studies to occasion mystical-type experiences akin to transcendence, with participants reporting ego dissolution and unity lasting beyond the acute effects; landmark research from Johns Hopkins University beginning in 2006 demonstrated these outcomes under supportive conditions.^[101] Near-death experiences (NDEs) also frequently involve transcendent elements, including out-of-body sensations and profound peace, as evidenced in systematic analyses of survivor reports.^[102] Neurologically, these states are linked to reduced activity in the parietal lobe, which is associated with maintaining the sense of self-boundaries and spatial orientation. Functional MRI (fMRI) studies have captured this mechanism, showing decreased parietal engagement during experiences of unity and transcendence, such as in spiritual or meditative contexts.^[103] For instance, research from 2018 identified parietal cortex involvement in processing transcendent feelings, where hypoactivity correlates with diminished self-focus and heightened interconnectedness.^[104] Key types include the "oceanic feeling," a boundless sense of merger with the universe critiqued by Sigmund Freud in 1927 as a regressive illusion rooted in early infancy, yet recognized in empirical psychology as a valid altered state. Another is the flow state, described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his 1990 theory as an immersive absorption in activity where self-consciousness temporarily recedes, yielding optimal engagement and transcendence through balanced challenge and skill.^[105] Despite growing evidence, research gaps persist, particularly in integrating novel technologies; pre-2020 studies often overlooked scalable interventions, but as of 2025, research such as the Numadelic VR paradigm has explored virtual reality (VR) to induce self-transcendent experiences, showing promise for enhancing well-being and prosocial behaviors by simulating immersive environments that foster unity and awe.^[106]

References

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Notes for a History of Transcendence - Anthropoetics
May 31, 2008 · For medieval thought, transcendence is the relation of God to the world; for Kant, the transcendental is the realm of the possibility of ...
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20th WCP: The Concept of Transcendence in Heidegger
The different meanings of the concept of Philosophy and Theology point to three topics concerning the relation of Philosophy and Theology as such. These ...
[3]
Transcendence | Theology Thursday | GCU Blog
Nov 14, 2019 · The transcendence of God means that God is outside of humanity's full experience, perception or grasp. The immanence of God means that he is knowable, ...
[4]
Ego and Spiritual Transcendence: Relevance to Psychological ... - NIH
It describes a kind of mysticism that is characterized by feeling unified with all existing world and time, with the past and future. Thus, spirituality here ...
[5]
[PDF] Rethinking Self-Transcendent Positive Emotions and Religion
At the heart of many religious and spiritual traditions is the aspiration to transcend the self to achieve a sense of connectedness with the world and/or ...
[6]
[PDF] Transcendental Numbers: An Extended Example
numbers are a natural generalization of rational numbers the algebraic numbers include all. А numbers that are roots of polynomial equations with integer ...
[7]
Differential Ontology | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The word immanence is contrasted with the word transcendence. “Transcendence” means going beyond, while “immanence” means remaining within, and these ...
[8]
[PDF] The concept of 'transcendence' in modern Western philosophy and ...
Aug 18, 2016 · 'Transcendence' has been a key subject of Western philosophy of religion and history of ideas. The meaning of transcendence, however, has ...<|separator|>
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German Idealism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The idealism Schelling and Hegel defend recognizes the identity of subject and object as the “absolute,” unconditioned first principle of philosophy. For that ...
[10]
The unconditioned in philosophy of religion - Nature
Oct 2, 2018 · In contrast, the absolute unconditioned precedes any distinction of subject and object, transcendent and immanent. It is therefore not a concept ...
[11]
Plato's Middle Period Metaphysics and Epistemology
Jun 9, 2003 · What is referred to as Plato's theory of Forms is thus a rational reconstruction of Plato's doctrine. ... transcendent realism, simple versus ...
[12]
Medieval Theories of Transcendentals
Apr 4, 2013 · Medieval theories of the transcendentals present an explication of the concept of 'being' (ens) in terms of the so-called 'most common notions' (communissima).
[13]
Enlightenment - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Aug 20, 2010 · Wolff's rationalist metaphysics is characteristic of the Enlightenment by virtue of the pretensions of human reason within it, not by reason's ...Missing: redefining | Show results with:redefining
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Kant's Transcendental Idealism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Mar 4, 2016 · Transcendental realism is the commonsense pre-theoretic view that objects in space and time are “things in themselves”, which Kant, of course, ...
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Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Feb 13, 1997 · A consideration of Hegel's dialectical logic in the light of the emergence of post-Russellian logical movements had been raised by John ...Hegel's Philosophy · Hegel's Published Works · Hegel's Encyclopaedic System...
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Jean-Paul Sartre - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Mar 26, 2022 · Instead of a transcendental subject, the Ego must consequently be understood as a transcendent object similar to any other object, with the only ...
[17]
Jacques Derrida (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
### Summary of Derrida's Deconstruction as a Postmodern Critique Questioning Absolute Transcendence in Philosophy
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The Republic by Plato - The Internet Classics Archive
Like ourselves, I replied; and they see only their own shadows, or the shadows of one another, which the fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave? True, he ...
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The Critique of Pure Reason | Project Gutenberg
The whole aim of the transcendental deduction of all à priori conceptions is to show that these conceptions are à priori conditions of the possibility of ...
[20]
Phenomenology of Spirit
It starts with ideas of knowledge as an instrument, and as a medium; and presupposes a distinction of ourselves from this knowledge.
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[DOC] BEING AND TIME - Dominican House of Studies
5. The ontological analytic of Dasein as laying bare the horizon for an Interpretation of the meaning of. Being in ...
[22]
[PDF] Being and Nothingness - Dominican House of Studies
This is a translation of all of Jean-Paul Sartre's L'E:tre et Ie Neant. It includes those selections which in 1953 were published in a volume.
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Divine Transcendence and Immanence - The Gospel Coalition
Divine transcendence means God is exalted and controls creation, while immanence means he is present and intimate with his creation, especially his people.
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Divine Simplicity - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Mar 20, 2006 · God is simple in that God transcends every form of complexity and composition familiar to the discursive intellect.
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Western Concepts of God - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Consistent with theism, Augustine (354-430) regarded God as omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, morally good, the creator (ex nihilo) and sustainer of the ...
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Concerning God | Isaiah 55:8-9 - RayStedman.org
(Isaiah 55:8-9). Theologians call that a revelation of the transcendence of God. He is beyond us, the “Holy Other”, as Karl Barth calls him. Now that is a ...
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What is Tanzih (Transcendence of Allah)? - THE SUBMITTERS
Feb 4, 2025 · Tanzih is an Islamic theological concept that refers to the transcendence and incomparability of Allah. It emphasizes that God is utterly unique.
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[PDF] AQUINAS ON GOD-TALK: HOVERING OVER THE ABYSS
Aquinas's God-talk involves a unique weaving of negative and positive theology, analogy and incomprehensibility, like hovering over an abyss.
[29]
"Karl Barth's Conception of God" | The Martin Luther King, Jr ...
Barth's doctrine of God is that He is the transcendent God. On every hand Barth is out to set God immensely above the dieties of the world.
[30]
Mysticism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Nov 11, 2004 · Mysticism is best thought of as a constellation of distinctive practices, discourses, texts, institutions, traditions, and experiences aimed at human ...
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https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mysticism/
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Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics - PubMed Central
In a similar fashion to other psychedelics, ayahuasca disrupts normal DMN function during the psychedelic experience. It has been shown that long-term ayahuasca ...
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[PDF] A Study of the Whirling Dervish Dance Through Rumi's Poetry
Mar 31, 2022 · This study explores how Rumi's poetry influences the Whirling Dervish dance, with each step embodying themes from his work.
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[PDF] Credo: “I Believe. . .” | Harvard
that the one God is the transcendent Creator, the fully human Christ, and the indwelling energy, fire, and breath of the Spirit. While the Apostles' Creed and ...
[35]
[PDF] incarnating the god who may be - Institute for Christian Studies
166 The incarnation as the site of correlation for transcendence and immanence, mysterious though it has always been, provides the answer to overcoming ...
[36]
God is everywhere : Islam, Christianity, and the immanence of ...
This article weaves together major lines of inquiry in the anthropology of Christianity and Islam to consider how to approach and think about transcendence ...
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[PDF] Al Ghazali The Ninety Nine Beautiful Names Of God
The ninety-nine names of God are names from the Quran, recalling attributes of God, and are recited in a traditional order.
[38]
Advaita Vedanta - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Brahman appears as the manifold objects of experience because of its creative power, māyā. Māyā is that which appears to be real at the time of experience but ...
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[PDF] Salvation in Buddhism - Digital Commons @ Andrews University
Buddhism does not hinge upon the concept of a Creator God but upon the personal practice of ethics, meditation, and 5 Maier: Salvation in Buddhism Published by ...Missing: transcendence | Show results with:transcendence
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The Problem of God in Buddhism
Feb 17, 2025 · The Problem of God in Buddhism includes a comprehensive analysis of the Buddhist refutations of a creator God, the idea of salvation without divine ...
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Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism - Judaism 101 (JewFAQ)
This true essence of G-d is known as Ein Sof, which literally means "without end," which encompasses the idea of His lack of boundaries in both time and space.
[42]
The Kabbalistic Conception of God - My Jewish Learning
According to these mystics, Ein Sof is not the proper object of prayers, since Ein Sof has no relationship with His creatures.
[43]
Transcendental Number -- from Wolfram MathWorld
A transcendental number is a (possibly complex) number that is not the root of any integer polynomial, meaning that it is not an algebraic number of any degree.
[44]
Algebraic Number -- from Wolfram MathWorld
Any algebraic number is an algebraic period, and if a number is not an algebraic period, then it is a transcendental number (Waldschmidt 2006). Note there ...
[45]
Liouville's Constant -- from Wolfram MathWorld
Liouville's constant, sometimes also called Liouville's number, is the real number defined by L=sum_(n=1)^infty10^(-n!)=0.110001000000000000000001.
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Recounting the History of Math's Transcendental Numbers
Jun 27, 2023 · In 1844, Joseph Liouville found the first one by coming at the problem indirectly. He discovered that irrational algebraic numbers cannot be ...
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[PDF] Pi is Transcendental:
Feb 2, 2006 · The proof that pi is a transcendental number, first provided by Carl Louis Ferdinand von Lindemann in. 1882, was and remains one of the most ...
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Lindemann-Weierstrass Theorem -- from Wolfram MathWorld
If algebraic integers alpha_1 , ..., alpha_n are linearly independent over Q , then e^(alpha_1) , ..., e^(alpha_n) are algebraically independent over Q.
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[PDF] Transcendental Functions
Sep 4, 2013 · Definition. Functions that are not algebraic are called transcendental. We will study the following types of transcendental functions.
[50]
[PDF] Transcendental Functions
An exponential function has the form ax, where a is a constant; examples are 2x, 10x, ex. The logarithmic functions are the inverses of the exponential ...
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[PDF] notes on transcendental functions - UCR Math Department
September, 2005. The exponential and trigonometric functions are commonly described as transcendental func- tions. This name strongly suggests that such ...
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[PDF] Exponential Functions - math.utah.edu
There is a big difference between an exponential function and a polynomial. ... The bigger the base of an exponential function, the faster its graph grows.<|separator|>
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[PDF] FIELD THEORY 1. Fields, Algebraic and Transcendental Elements ...
Fields, Algebraic and Transcendental Elements. We now begin a systematic study of field theory, particularly Galois Theory. Our basic aim is to study.
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[PDF] TRANSCENDENTAL NUMBERS | Jeremy Booher - People
We will first discuss Liouville's theorem, which shows that certain specially constructed numbers are transcendental. We then follow Hermite in proving that e ...
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The Sublime | Academy of American Poets
The Romantic poets were obsessed with sublimity; that is, with the idea of transcendence, with possible crossings between the self and nature, with the ...
[56]
The Transcendentalist - Ralph Waldo Emerson
In "The Transcendentalist," Emerson argues that Transcendentalists are people who seek to transcend the limitations of the physical world and find truth and ...
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Analysis of Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha
Sep 5, 2024 · The novel is merely a meditation on how to achieve serenity by contemplation, not a textbook on spiritual exercise and practice.
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[PDF] Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End - UNI ScholarWorks
And my literature students were dismayed that the evolution of the species required the destruction of the world, even though Clarke meant this destruction to ...
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https://literariness.org/2024/09/05/analysis-of-hermann-hesses-siddhartha/
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Ecological Endings and Eschatology: Margaret Atwood's Post ... - jstor
''Technoculture and Transcendence: A Theological Exploration of. Margaret Atwood's MaddAddam Trilogy.'' Collegeville Institute Lectures, 2015. Paper. 25. http ...
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Transcendence through Aesthetic Experience - jstor
In the following pages, I will explain my own attempt at a holistic view of musical meaning and the role of music in engendering transcendent experience, and ...
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MUSIC – THE MEDIUM OF TRANSCENDENT EXPERIENCE
The present study is an attempt to reflect on, emphasise and review selected aspects of the knowledge hitherto focused on the issue of transcendental ...Missing: harmony rhythm
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Bach the Transcendent - Claremont Review of Books
Bach's art serves the inborn holiness of this world that was neither created by human art nor encompassed by human intelligence. In Schweitzer's view, Bach ...
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An ode to the joy of BEETHOVEN'S 9TH - PMC - NIH
Beethoven's immortal 9th Symphony is a summation of his life, a summation of all he had learned and for what he had lived. Beethoven's music is not classic, nor ...
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THE STORY BEHIND: Beethoven's Symphony No.9 (Choral)
May 4, 2022 · In the finale, Beethoven revolutionized the symphony by transcending its previous boundaries. ... Joy theme, Beethoven's setting of the ...
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A Guide to Gustav Mahler's Symphonies | Carnegie Hall
Jul 26, 2023 · Mahler's Symphony No. 2 contemplates life and death on a cosmic scale, culminating in an ecstatic hymn of resurrection. To create a moment in ...
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Mahler's Third Symphony and the Languages of Transcendence
The relationship of music and language plays an integral role in Mahler's expressive design of the Third Symphony, specifically in his vision of transcendence.Missing: cosmic | Show results with:cosmic
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experiencing "magic moments" in jazz improvisation - ResearchGate
In the past, scholars conducted studies using the metaphor of jazz groups to examine creativity and improvisation for organizational teams (Bastien & Hostager, ...
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Experiencing “magic moments” in jazz improvisation - ProQuest
The transcendence period is characterized by an altered state of consciousness that includes the unitary experience, illumination, vision, and ecstasy. This is ...
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Brian Eno on surrender in art and religion
Jun 19, 2013 · The other theory was more transcendent or animist – music is a daemonic bridge between humans and the divine, or what Kant called the noumenal.
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History of Western Philosophy of Music: since 1800
Jul 13, 2021 · Schopenhauer claims that this reveals the fundamental noumenal essence of the world as Will. Since the Will is endless striving and desiring, ...Romantic Metaphysics of... · Music and Drama: Wagner · Phenomenology of Music<|control11|><|separator|>
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[PDF] Neuroaesthetics, Sublime, and Well-Being - eScholarship
Nov 26, 2024 · While it might be difficult to induce the feelings of awe or inspiring energy the way we listen to music today, saturated by low-fi popular ...
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(PDF) The Neuroaesthetics of Music - ResearchGate
Oct 9, 2025 · This article offers a review and synthesis of our current understanding of the perceptual, cognitive, and affective processes involved in an aesthetic musical ...
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(PDF) The concept of transcultural music in a globalized world and ...
Apr 8, 2024 · Transcultural music is characterized by its fusion of diverse elements reflects this global interconnectedness and offers a fertile ground ...Missing: 21st | Show results with:21st
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The Global Beat: The Rise of Multicultural Musical Mavins
Dec 6, 2023 · In the evolving tapestry of modern music, the distinctions between genres are blurring as artists craft an interconnected world of sound.
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Neoplatonic Symbolism by Michelangelo in Sistine Chapel's ...
Analysis of Sketches ... In Figure 4 , Michelangelo explores different ways of sketching the grand gesture of God, seemingly creating light within the universe.
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[PDF] A Reflection and Analysis on the 'Creation of Adam' Sistine Chapel ...
This paper analyses Michelangelo's work observing how deeply held religious convictions provide catalysis for theological reflection.
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The Sublime and the Spiritual | MoMA
Mark Rothko famously said that his paintings should be viewed from a distance of 18 inches, perhaps to dominate the viewer's field of vision and thus create a ...Missing: analysis | Show results with:analysis
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James Turrell in “Spirituality” (SEGMENT) - Art21
Sep 21, 2001 · ... skyspace in the ceiling of a Friends meetinghouse ... experience of seeing. In doing so, Turrell's art evokes feelings of transcendence ...<|separator|>
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James Turrell creates “transcendent” Skyspace installation in the ...
Jul 1, 2022 · Visitors are invited to sit on heated, concrete benches and take in the experience. The space can accommodate up to 25 guests. The building is ...
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The Invention of Perspective and the Transition from the Sacred to ...
Sep 28, 2021 · Unlike all of them, the Renaissance artist and, more precisely, the painter transformed the workshop into a laboratory, and art into a science.
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2001: A Space Odyssey Explained: Part 1 - Movies Up Close
Oct 5, 2022 · But we can start with the theme of transcendence, since it forms the structure of the film. 2001 consists of three stages of evolution: 1 ...
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Science fiction and transcendence: 2001: A Space Odyssey and the ...
At the center of its mystery and wonder are the mysterious monoliths drawing humanity forward from apelike origins to an unimaginably exalted future represented ...
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Transcendence - Sloan Science & Film
Apr 24, 2014 · Directed by Wally Pfister, the film posits a near future where A.I. researchers are on the verge of achieving “the Singularity,” that highly ...
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Film Review: Transcendence | Global Catastrophic Risk Institute
Sep 24, 2014 · In this review, I will discuss some of the questions raised by the film and show their importance to real-world decision making about AI and ...<|separator|>
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Ten years on: art world is still in search of its virtual reality Eden
Mar 1, 2024 · In his 2020 VR piece The Terrarium, meanwhile, “the audience becomes a sort of post-human marine hybrid that's based on a digital sculpture ...
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Exploring the Role of Virtual Reality in Transforming the ...
Jan 10, 2025 · Traditional art forms often face limitations due to physical constraints, whereas VR allows artists to explore entirely new realms of creativity ...Missing: transcendent | Show results with:transcendent<|control11|><|separator|>
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In Search of the Order of Hierarchies in Maslow's Transcendence - NIH
Mar 24, 2022 · Through Meaning Theory, Victor Frankl and Paul Wong suggested that self-transcendence is a fundamental expression of our spiritual nature and a ...
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Logotherapy: Viktor Frankl's Theory of Meaning - Positive Psychology
Central concepts include freedom of choice, self-transcendence & the ability to find meaning under any circumstance. Practicing logotherapy can enhance ...Who Was Viktor Frankl? · Viktor Frankl's Theory · Techniques of Logotherapy
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A psychobiological model of temperament and character - PubMed
Each aspect of self-concept corresponds to one of three character dimensions called self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence, respectively.Missing: Scale | Show results with:Scale
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Self-Transcendence: A Salutogenic Process for Well-Being - NCBI
In sum, self-transcendence is a “natural resource for healing that manifests the human being's capacity to self-organize for well-being at times in life when a ...
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The Benefits of Self-Transcendence: Examining the Role of Values ...
Feb 16, 2021 · The main findings in the study highlight the key roles of Wong's view that self-transcendence can help improve one's mental health (Wong, 2016).
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The Role of Transcendence in a Holistic View of Successful Aging
Aug 7, 2025 · Older adults with a high level of self-transcendence may find greater pleasure in small things, experience fewer everyday materialistic concerns ...Missing: longevity | Show results with:longevity
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Development and application of a self-transcendence enhancement ...
The purpose of this study was to develop a self-transcendence enhancement program and examine its effect on self-transcendence, spiritual well-being, and ...
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Religions, values, and peak-experiences : Maslow, Abraham H ...
Mar 8, 2021 · Publication date: 1964 ; Topics: Psychology, Religious, Peak experiences, Religion and Psychology ; Publisher: Columbus : Ohio State University ...
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A Systematic Review of Transcendent States Across Meditation and ...
Transcendent states were most consistently associated with slowed breathing, respiratory suspension, reduced muscle activity and EEG alpha blocking with ...
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Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having ... - PubMed
When administered under supportive conditions, psilocybin occasioned experiences similar to spontaneously occurring mystical experiences.Missing: transcendent | Show results with:transcendent
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Explanation of near-death experiences: a systematic analysis of ...
This experience is a phenomenon with transcendental elements, which leads to deep permanent changes in both the individual and the social lives of the NDEr's.
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Neural Correlates of Personalized Spiritual Experiences - PMC - NIH
We observed in the spiritual condition, as compared with the neutral-relaxing condition, reduced activity in the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), a result ...
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Scientists Have Discovered The Brain Region Involved in Spiritual ...
Jun 4, 2018 · Scientists think they've pinpointed where those transcendental moments are processed in the human brain, identifying a region in the parietal cortex that ...
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16826400/
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Transcending Self Therapy-Virtual Reality (TST-VR) and Substance ...
Oct 18, 2024 · The aim of this study was to examine the association between engagement with a VR version of TST and residential SUD treatment completion.Missing: trials | Show results with:trials