The project aims to qualitatively and quantitatively assess in a longitudinal study with two time points, one year apart, how experienced yoga and meditation practitioners of spiritual traditions (1) make long-term self-transformations of habits, values and worldviews, (2) experience altered states of consciousness. Based on case studies of approximately 90 yoga and meditation practitioners within a spiritual context from communities of Neo Hindu denomination both in Brazil (n = 60) and Germany (n = 30), the objective of this research is to discuss the complexity and scope within the dimensions of narrative identity as they are related to the body, emotions, and exceptional (i.e. paranormal) experiences. We will conduct (1) qualitative interviews on the question of self-transformation, (2) assess quantitatively the subjective experience during meditation, and (3) investigate practitioners’ exceptional (paranormal) experiences in daily life. In a longitudinal design with measurement times (T1, T2), one year apart we will assess how these three dimensions develop over the year and how they are causally connected.