Spiritual Experiences

My readership is of two types—those who have had a potentially life-altering spiritual experience(s) and those who have not. Among the second type are individuals of a further reductive subset: (1) those who think that there could be no such thing—that those who claim such experiences are deluded or deceivers; or (2) those who think such a thing may be possible, but because they have not had one (or have not recognized it or have forgotten it) that for whatever reason they feel it would be highly unlikely they have one now or again.

I would like to declare that legitimate spiritual experiences are possible and have happened to honest people, and that I have had them and further that they could be had by others. Usually, however, a price must be paid by the recipient.

I suppose one could actively pursue the extraordinary but I think it would be like capturing the ‘elusive butterfly’—possible but difficult and probably highly unlikely. The reason for this is that true spiritual experiences are not personal contrivances or given to satisfy idle curiosity but gifts given by a divine gift-giver. And, they are given in response to legitimate desire, motivation, or need or as a reward or blessing for righteous behavior.

Since I am a religious man I will tell you how spiritual religious experiences usually come . They come through prayer. They come through addressing your prayer to God, our Father. They come through faith in and in the name of Jesus Christ. If one does not have faith in Jesus Christ, a sincere desire to believe in and have faith in Christ will suffice.

First of all, realize that God, the giver of the experience is the judge of the need and intent of the potential recipient. Next, realize that the timing of the experience is on God’s timetable; it is given when it will best benefit the one in need. It may be immediate, but in my experience has more often been after a period of testing or proving or suffering.

There are a few things that can facilitate these blessings:

• Go to a place where you will not be distracted and that has a wholesome ambiance.
• Be clean physically and well groomed and dressed in simple, modest attire.
• Allow yourself time and don’t take a watch. The experience may not come in that hour or that day. It may take persistence on your part.
• Prepare yourself by appropriate reading, seeking, ridding yourself of other things that occupy your mind.
• Take a notebook or something to record your feelings afterward.
Recognize them when they come:
• Rid yourself of preconceived popular or Hollywood notions of what a spiritual experience should look like or feel like.
• Realize that most spiritual experiences are felt; they are not necessarily seen or heard.
• Know that others, in your presence, may not be experiencing what you are experiencing.

What is a spiritual experience?

• It is detected, not created by you.
• It persists. You will not easily or quickly forget it.
• It impels to action.
• It produces a sense of rightness and completeness.
• It is consistent with scriptural truths.
• Though it may have strange symbolic elements, it is not terrifying or gruesome.
• It is accompanied by a great sense of peace.

Gratitude for the experience and compliance with the direction that most spiritual experiences give tends to produce more. I suppose this is what is called ‘spirituality.’ It is a dimension to living that far too few have experienced. It is an experience that far more could have and would enrich their lives. I would encourage all to seek for spirituality.