The Higher Consciousness Scale

An integrated measure of transcendent experiences

Overview

The HC‑18 is an 18‑item self‑report instrument designed to quantify phenomenology commonly described in transcendent or “higher consciousness” experiences. Across diverse traditions and contexts, these experiences cluster into five facets: Unity‑Consciousness, Bliss, Insight, Somatic Energy Sensations, and Luminosity, which behave as expressions of a single underlying construct. The scale is brief (4–6 minutes), easy to administer online or on paper, and intended for clinical monitoring, program evaluation, and research, not diagnosis.

Development and Validation

The HC‑18 was developed from a large item pool spanning mystical, Kundalini‑type, near‑death‑like, and contemplative reports. Items were refined through factor‑analytic modeling and cross‑validation. HC-18 supports clinical assessment, program evaluation, and research on transcendent/mystical/Kundalini-type phenomena. It is not a diagnostic tool and should be interpreted alongside clinical judgment and safety screening.

Scale Description

Scale factors include:

  • Unity‑Consciousness: expansion/non‑separateness; direct perception of consciousness; certainty of immortality
  • Bliss: Deep peace, love, and awe
  • Insight: Noetic knowing; clarity; conviction
  • Somatic Energy Sensations: spontaneous currents/vibration; axial (often spinal) flow
  • Luminosity: perception of inner/outer light

Administration and Scoring

Administration

  • Mode: Paper or e‑form; individual; self‑administered.
  • Time: ~4–6 minutes.
  • Recall window: Choose and state explicitly (e.g., “past 7 days”). Keep constant across timepoints in longitudinal designs.

Scoring

  • Global score: Sum of all 18 items (recommended for most clinical/research applications) (Widaman & Revelle, 2023). Higher values indicate stronger presence of higher‑consciousness phenomenology within the recall window.
  • Facet scores: Compute scores within each facet for pattern analysis (Unity, Bliss, Insight, Energy, Luminosity).
  • Change over time: Use repeated administration (e.g., Baseline → Mid → Post → 1‑month follow‑up) to evaluate interventions.

Data handling

  • Maintain confidentiality.

HC-18 Online Calculator

The following calculator uses sum score methods to compare an HC-18 sample with the normative population found in the original HC-18 validation study (Molina et al., 2025).

HC-18 Caculator

Applications and Limitations

Applications

  • Clinical monitoring: Track phenomenology in patients engaged in contemplative or breathwork programs; support shared decision‑making and pacing.
  • Program evaluation: Pre/post measurement for meditation, compassion, or service‑learning curricula; facet profiles can guide personalization (e.g., adding grounding when Energy rises).
  • Research: Map state‑change trajectories; test mechanism hypotheses (e.g., the role of selflessness/compassion as moderator); compare interventions; examine cross‑cultural patterns (with invariance checks).

Limitations & cautions

  • Not diagnostic: HC‑18 measures experienced phenomenology, not etiology or clinical value. Interpret within broader assessment.
  • Self‑report bias: Susceptible to demand characteristics and recall effects—mitigate with clear instructions, consistent windows, and preregistered analyses.
  • Population scope: Validated primarily in adult, self‑selected samples; use caution and pilot work for minors or clinical populations with acute instability.
  • Intensity management: Somatic energy or luminosity can at times feel overwhelming. Pair administration with access to titration tools (grounding, sleep hygiene, nutrition) and clinical pathways when indicated. See link for titration tools and meditations (Coming soon)
  • Cultural framing: Language should be adapted sensitively to local terms/worldviews without altering construct content.

References and Additional Information

Molina, M. D., Molina, L., & Zappaterra, M. W. (2025). Development and validation of the higher consciousness scale (HC-18). OSF Preprints. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/cgb6e_v4

Widaman, K. F., & Revelle, W. (2023). Thinking thrice about sum scores, and then some more about measurement and analysis. Behav Res, 55, 788–806. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-022-01849-w