A kensho research study at the Samadhi Center (Canada)
With Dr. Jeffrey Overall
The Global Institute for Conscious Economics
Link to PDF full article
Blog post by Daniel Schmidt:
Kensho is a Japanese word from Zen that means “seeing true nature”. It refers to the direct experience of awakening beyond name and form, unmediated by the conditioned “I”, and the recognition or knowing of your true nature. For more information on exactly what Kensho is, check out this video on the 8 signs of Kensho. Samadhi and Kensho should not be thought of as separate; as they say in Zen, “not one, not two”. Samadhi can be both a temporary state of union (peak experience), but can eventually become a developmental stage when we recognize that our true nature is ever present and the seeker is dropped.
Recent research conducted at the Samadhi Center in Canada sheds light on the factors that contribute to and block Kensho. By analyzing interviews with individuals who have and have not experienced Kensho, the study reveals compelling patterns in how we seek truth, and whether we look within or outside ourselves.
In this study Dr. Jeffrey Overall interviewed individuals who experienced Kensho during retreats at the Samadhi Center and identified seven key influences: personal struggles, previous awakenings, childhood spiritual experiences, the search for meaning, trauma, the role of the ego, and psychedelic use. A deeper analysis revealed that early spiritual experiences and prior awakenings tend to build upon one another over time, increasing the likelihood of future awakenings. Interestingly, psychedelic use during retreats did not appear to have a significant impact on Kensho. This study stands out by emphasizing how structured self-inquiry practices can facilitate awakening. It also suggests that Kensho is not a singular event but part of an ongoing process of personal and spiritual evolution.
The study’s qualitative analysis found that having gone through a dark night of the soul, having had prior awakenings, childhood spiritual experiences were the strongest predictors of Kensho. This suggests that past exposure to expanded states of consciousness and familiarity with the process of inner surrender makes an individual more receptive to breakthrough moments in the retreat setting. A dark night of the soul is characterized by a period in which the usual pattern of the conditioned self is interrupted, accompanied by some inner resistance, struggle, aimlessness, or sense of purposelessness in which the egoic self goes through a letting go or surrender process.
Among those who experienced Kensho, several key themes emerged:
- The Role of the Ego – The dissolution of egoic identity was frequently linked to the moment of awakening.
- Dark Night of the Soul – Many had undergone intense periods of suffering, confusion, or existential crisis before awakening.
- Prior Awakenings – Some individuals had previous mystical experiences that laid the groundwork for deeper insights.
- Childhood Spiritual Experiences – A connection with the spiritual realm in early life was a common thread.
- Seeking Internally – Rather than looking for answers in external teachings, authorities, or institutions, Kensho experiencers turned inward, relying on their own inner direction.
- Trauma as a Catalyst – While painful, past traumas often propelled individuals into deep inner work and self-inquiry.
The most significant obstacles to Kensho, according to the study, were seeking externally and blockages. This points to a critical distinction: while both groups were actively searching, only the Kensho group directed their inquiry inward. The non-Kensho group, in contrast, remained caught in external exploration, intellectual analysis, or emotional turmoil.
For those who had NOT experienced Kensho, the study uncovered different dominant themes:
- Strong Emotions – Intense feelings—fear, grief, anger—often clouded the mind rather than opening it.
- Seeking Externally – Instead of turning inward, these individuals looked to external sources—books, teachers, systems, or ideologies—to find answers.
- Blockages – Emotional repression, unresolved trauma, or psychological resistance hindered deep realization.
- Searching for Something Greater – A yearning for meaning was present, but it lacked the internal focus needed for direct insight.
- Belief vs. Experience – Many believed in spiritual truths but had not yet directly experienced them.
- Confusion and Delusion – A sense of being lost or deceived by false narratives prevented clear seeing.
Why is it important?
This study is valuable because it sheds new light on spiritual awakenings, an experience many seek but few fully understand. By analyzing real-life accounts through a structured research approach, it clarifies the nature of Kensho and provides practical insights for those on a spiritual journey. The findings challenge common assumptions, such as the influence of psychedelics, and emphasize the lasting impact of early spiritual experiences. As interest in mindfulness, self-inquiry, and personal transformation continues to rise, this research offers timely and relevant perspectives for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of spiritual awakening and how it unfolds.
The Key Takeaway: Awakening Is an Inside Job
This research provides a preliminary model for Kensho spiritual awakenings, offering a valuable insight for seekers:
- Looking for truth in external sources can be useful, but true awakening happens within.
- Emotional and psychological blockages must be confronted and integrated rather than bypassed.
- Past spiritual experiences, especially in childhood, may predispose individuals to Kensho, but awakening remains accessible to anyone who shifts their focus inward.
Ultimately, Kensho is not something that can be found, acquired, or achieved. It is a direct awakening to the truth beyond the limitations of the seeking mind. It is when the illusion of separation dissolves and it is waking up from the dream of the separate self. The research suggests that those who surrender to inner exploration, rather than endlessly seeking outside themselves, are far more likely to experience this profound awakening.
“I personally went through a Kensho experience using the methods described in this study. It was a life-changing moment that left me wanting to understand what had happened to me. That curiosity led to this research. As I analyzed the experiences of others, I saw many similarities to my own. This process was deeply healing and helped me make sense of my own awakening.”
Article Links:
https://link.growkudos.com/1f6yjpbad4w
https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000423
