Let's Talk Religion

What is a spiritual experience and what might cause such? Manifestations of the Spirit: Psychomotor responses : uncontrolled movement ( being slain in the spirit ) Speaking in tongues ( glossolalia ) Visions and voices : seeing and hearing things beyond scope of the physical senses (visions of Mary) Miracles Feelings of ecstas y, “peak” experiences Feelings of peace and well-being Kinds of Spiritual Experience:  Confirming : an undeniable “knowing” that what one believes is true Possession : being overtaken by a spiritual power (e.g. channeling , being “slain in the spirit”) Saving : deliverance from affliction or sense of wholeness Commissioning : being charged by the holy to accomplish a task, being given a mission Mystical : sense of being one with the holy Mysticism is the direct, inner experience of the One, All-Pervading, and Supreme Reality Mystical experience can be… Introvertive or Extravertive ( nature mysticism ) Theistic or non-theistic Spontaneous or induced (e.g....

I had my first truly mystical experience when I was a junior in college. I recognized it as God's revelation of himself to me, making his presence known in my life. I was deeply depressed. I roomed alone (by desire). My few friends rarely visited me. I did not party or play loud music. And there I was on a Saturday night in the dorm with a "mixer" (dance) going on downstairs and a loud party going on in a room down the hall and I was locked behind my door feeling sorry for myself and angry that others were having fun while I was feeling left out, even though that type of fun was not the something I enjoyed. "What's the point?" I asked to no one in particular. "Why do I even continue to live?" My deep depression was leading me to suicidal thoughts. In an instant, I had my answer. A thought occurred to me: "I'm OK just the way I am. I do not have to be like everyone else." A great sense of inner peace and joy came over me and washed my ...

  Exploring the the Relationship Between Mysticism and Religion A Story by Laura Ellen Shulman     A young man has his own very special relationship with God - an internal mystical connection with his Source and the Source of all. This is a relationship through which wisdom, knowledge and insight is gained regarding the nature of God, human nature, life in this world and how human beings are related to and ought relate to God and each other. This young man puts this understanding into practice in his own life. He loves others as he loves himself because he knows everyone is united as one in God. He has a unique and refreshing view on life. He is happy and at peace and this shows in his very being.     People are attracted to him by the love he shows for them and the insightful things he has to say. They listen and try to understand but very few of them have the benefit of the same relationship he has with God. It is this relationship that makes the differen...