anger in Figure 10, Appendix A). On the positive side,INTEGRAL REVIEWDecember 2009Vol. 5, No. 2uninhibited rejoicing and jubilation, or overpowering exaltation and ecstasy are predicted, in theabsence of any empirical data documenting this hyper-state. We believe it is thispsychophysiological state that is accessed during collective rituals that lead to trance states andspiritual rapture. It also may be possible to enter this state from hyper-aroused, uncontrolledpositive emotions that induce a positive hysteria, such as can result from an unexpected,overwhelmingly positive eventfor example, reuniting with a loved one who was in a life-threatening situation.At the low end of the arousal axis are two states of hypo-arousal, the complement to the twostates of hyper-arousal we have just described. On the positive side, the individual experiencesan ego-less feeling of profound inner peace and deep spiritual connectedness. Typically, thisstate is accessed by self-disciplined meditative and spiritual practice. Physiologically, theemotional experience of this state of extremely low arousal is characterized by HRV waveformpatterns of very low amplitude with some degree of coherence, reflecting the bodys state ofcomplete calm and rest.On the negative side, individuals can enter a state of hypo-arousal when they have been in anenduring negative emotional state (weeks to months). This is a state of self-engrossing desolationand despair and is accompanied by obsessive negative mental and emotional activity, such asthat experienced in prolonged grief or long-term depression. However, an episode of severetrauma or negative emotion can rapidly propel an individual into this state. Either way, this canresult in a depletion of physiological reserves, which is in turn reflected in a very low-amplitudeHRV waveform. Often, individuals in this hypo-state are emotionally numb and sociallyalienated or withdrawn.If this state is sustained on a long-term basis, there is further depletion of both the sympatheticand parasympathetic systems. In the first stages of this process, sympathetic activity becomessubstantially reduced, resulting in an autonomic imbalance. As the process continues,parasympathetic activity (vagal tone) is correspondingly reduced. The process culminates with aphase-transition into exhaustion and breakdown.Between the four states of extreme hyper-arousal and extreme hypo-arousal in the mid-rangeof emotional arousal, are two other states of extraordinary emotional experience. On the positiveside, there is the state of wholly self-less spiritual love in which the individual experiences adeep feeling of all-embracing big loveAgape, as defined by the dictionary: a love that isopen to and non-judgmental about all perceptions, cognitions, and intuitions. To enter this hyper-state requires a deep, heart-focused, self-less love, which can be associated with contemplativeintrospection. This hyper-state is accessed via a phase transition when this deep heart-focusedintrospection is sustained for a few minutes or more. This state is experienced as a substantialreduction in mental and emotional chatter to a point of internal quietness, often associated witha profound feeling of peace and serenity. This is the phase space within which the EmotionalQuiescence mode falls. We also expect this hyper-state to be associated with other types ofemotional experience that may have a spiritual dimension, such as those accessed by a number ofintrospective disciplines and practices.INTEGRAL REVIEWDecember 2009Vol. 5, No. 2Physiologically, there are two likely mechanisms to explain how this hyper-state occurs. Oneis that, in this state,