When Wenzl Mcgowen had a mystical experience, he quickly realized that his preexisting belief system would not allow him to explain it in a way that satisfied him. And with too much knowledge of science, he was uncomfortable applying religious or other ancient belief systems in an attempt to understand. Instead, he turned to scientists—and what he learned would position his experience within a modern framework, and help him understand the effect it would have on the rest of his life.