Does language devalue spiritual...

[pearl]

I thoroughly disagree that just because someone else doesn't understand the value of something, that something loses value. If I hand my baby a gold coin and all it knows to do with it is stick it in its mouth, has the coin lost any value thereby?

It has no value to the 'baby', the receiver of the coin.
Do you consider speaking in 'tongues' a mystical experience? If so, of what value is there when words spoken are meaningless to anyone, including the one speaking. Yet Moses, Prophets and Jesus were quite successful,

 

[pearl]

Thus, it becomes personal preference to share rather than based on other people's opinions.

If such an awe inspiring experience were received, would it even be possible to keep it to oneself? I think one would be compelled to share it.
I think where we have a difference has to do with our understanding of a mystical experience, and whether the experience is 'spoken' or not.

 

[Sw. Vandana Jyothi]

It has no value to the 'baby', the receiver of the coin.
Do you consider speaking in 'tongues' a mystical experience? If so, of what value is there when words spoken are meaningless to anyone, including the one speaking. Yet Moses, Prophets and Jesus were quite successful,

That's what I said, the baby doesn't recognize the value of the coin but that doesn't mean the coin has no value.

I don't know anything about speaking in tongues or what a "speaker" is experiencing when it happens. The outcomes of genuine spiritual experiences leave a person changed because those experiences generally diminish the fog and tenacious grip of ego--so one becomes more loving and humble, wiser, etc. If "speaking in tongues" doesn't result in those changes (even if a person can't maintain them), I'd have to say it is not then a mystical (transcendental) experience.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

If such an awe inspiring experience were received, would it even be possible to keep it to oneself? I think one would be compelled to share it.
I think where we have a difference has to do with our understanding of a mystical experience, and whether the experience is 'spoken' or not.

True. Some people don't share because of other's reactions. It could be a sense of insecurity.

I think it's worth the conversation to talk about one's awed experience without feeling the need to prove the existence existed or is valid (probably why people don't share). Though, if you begin to share, be prepared to answer questions about the experience. If most questions can't be answered, what's the use of sharing?

 

[pearl]

Though, if you begin to share, be prepared to answer questions about the experience. If most questions can't be answered, what's the use of sharing?

True. But I think for the recipient of the initial mystic experience it must be a lifechanging encounter in some way.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Is the experience of spirituality devalued when put into words?

If so, why and/or how?

I'd answer that a little indirectly.
I'm not sure that it's devalued, per se. But I think it is limited. Language can never truly express every nuance of sophisticated emotions and interactions.

Consider 'love' for example, an emotion that has inspired songs, books, movies, plays, artworks, and @Sunstone 's choice of pants.

We aren't devaluing love by these actions. Indeed, we can be holding it up and promoting it's importance. But can we fully explain it, or fully articulate the emotions and feelings in words? No. But man...some people through history have been able to give us a taste of it. A hint of what it's like to be in love, through their humble medium. Those people are true artists.