“The chaotic electrical storm of an epileptic seizure is the exact opposite of the focused blank mind of a monk in meditation; seizures are associated with a deficit of GABA…and meditation with an excess. I was familiar with all this previously, but her paper reminded me that epileptic seizures are often followed by a pleasurable refractory period known as postictal bliss—a peaceful, expanded state of consciousness, accompanied by bursts of connectedness, creativity, spiritual enlightenment, and out-of-body experiences.”
