"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music... "
He goes on to use the word "joy."
I think it is semantics. But we all want the "zone" or "emotion" or serotonin high or "spirit."

I like the word "transcendent" to describe things that are beyond my ability or inspire awe. I don't think it has the same meta baggage as "spiritual"

I would humbly respond that there is something real here. Not to deny it. Maybe there is something to learn from this experience. Maybe there is such a thing as spirituality and a spirit beckoning you. It certainly doesn't have to have anything to do with religion or how religion defines anything for us. An agnostic is a seeker not a denier.

I don't. What other people call "spiritual", I feel as emotional.

I can only explain how i feel when I'm in the "zone". To me it is a state of super consciousness when my senses step to a higher level. It feels like a superpower and I am thrilled to be channeling it. I'm fairly sure my adrenaline system plays a big role.

I can only say that I know what you mean.

At my most artistically "switched on"--through playing music or writing poetry, mostly--I have "felt" connected to something bigger than myself, outside myself, not myself... I don't believe in gods or any supernatural woo but I don't feel like my creativity "comes from me", either.

I decided a long time ago not to claim ownership over my creative talent--not to call it mine, any more than the flute lays claim to the air that passes through it. Nor do I necessarily feel it "belongs" to anyone or anything else; it just is, like a force of nature, and it just happens to be occurring in my brain and fingers.

I don't question it, don't make demands of it, have any expectations of it, try to change it, or make any bargains. It is what it is and I take what comes, as it comes. That's how I show respect to the process. The closest I've ever come to having a true superstition is feeling as though if I try to take control of my creative impulse--or show it disrespect--it will desert me.

I realize that all of this is probably just my conscious, rationalizing way of making sense of and coming to terms with something very mysterious and emotionally charged--and I'm fine with it. At least I'm not going around saying "God's blessed [me]" like so many I know....

I personally define joy as a feeling of exuberance and euphoria. I also define orgasm the same way. Coincindence?