The Science of Spontaneous Spiritual Awakening with Jessica Corneille

In the realm of healing and personal growth, the subject of spiritual awakening often emerges as a complex theme, merging both the psychological and the transcendental. In our latest episode, we host Jessica Corneille, MSc, a Research Psychologist with a focus on the enigmatic field of spiritually transformative experiences (STEs). Jessica shares her mission to bridge science and spirituality, urging a shift in mainstream psychology to embrace spiritually transformative experiences as a vital part of our humanity. Through her fascinating insights and research, she describes these experiences as profound moments that often unveil a transcendent reality. Jessica’s personal narrative sheds light on her deep commitment to this field, recounting her own unexpected awakening which inspired her academic pursuits. We discuss unexpected catalysts for spiritual awakening such as intense psychological turmoil and trauma, revealing how such spontaneous experiences often arise amidst life’s most challenging moments, and the nuances between awakenings that occur spontaneously, those catalyzed by psychedelics, and those nurtured through practices like yoga and meditation. Learn how cultural and religious frameworks impact the interpretation of awakening experiences, and the societal taboos surrounding these phenomena. We also discuss the challenges of introducing the scientific framework to validate and understand such experiences that have historically been marginalized or pathologized. Finally, Jessica stresses the value of community after an awakening experience to assist with integration. With her research, Jessica aims to unite the divide between science and spirituality, highlighting how psychological frameworks can adapt to encompass these significant human experiences.

Jessica Corneille, a Ph.D. Candidate in Neurophenomenology at University of Cambridge, has a Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Greenwich. She has presented her work at several academic conferences, including with the British Psychological Society, and has published articles for various publications including the Psychedelic Society, as well as a chapter in a new book that explores spiritual awakenings among members of the scientific community. Jessica is dedicated to helping individuals come to the realization of their highest human potential.