Experiences Outside Your Religion

[bahamut19]

For those who belong to a particular religion or faith-tradition, have you had any special spiritual experiences in any location which was not special to your religion, but special to another?

Let me share a personal story. I was never a Christian or belonged to any particular church, and most closely align with the teachings of Baha'u'llah. I was dating a woman from a United Pentecostal church and would regularly attend. I never spoke in tongues but overall, I enjoyed the passion and energy the small church provided. One day, I could feel the energy was particularly different. The air was heavy. The preacher was about to start his sermon and stopped. He just asked for everyone to keep praying on their own. I normally wouldn't be obedient, but this day I also prayed with a strong feeling. I could feel this spark of energy this day inside. Then, something strange happened. There was this man who would attend every service, but who could not speak without a stutter and had special needs to the point he was unable to work. He stood up and with the most commanding voice, spoke to us for maybe a minute. The gist was he said that "I have come and you did not recognize me." He reprimanded the congregation. Then, he lowered himself back onto his knees and went back to praying just as he was prior. After the service, I asked the man about what he said. He did not remember. I restated it and he just said that it was a strange thing to say.

This particular church will always have a special place in my heart even though I have never been Christian. Your turn!

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I honestly do not recognize "special spiritual experiences" as being a particularly useful category.

 

[bahamut19]

I honestly do not recognize "special spiritual experiences" as being a particularly useful category.

I appreciate the well thought-out and good-natured, honest response to my post. Your contribution is incredible.

 

[The Hammer]

While walking on Enoshima Island, I stepped through a cleansing shrine cricle. Got a head rush feeling down my arms, and then collapsed briefly. Wife felt the same thing as she passed through, but she did not drop the way I did.

 

[The Hammer]

"Benzaiten, the goddess of music and entertainment, is enshrined on the (Enoshima) island. The island in its entirety is dedicated to the goddess, who is said to have caused it to rise from the bottom of the sea in the sixth century.[1] The island is the scene of the Enoshima Engi, a history of shrines on Enoshima written by the Japanese Buddhist monk Kōkei in 1047 AD"

 

[sun rise]

Yes I have such experiences. A few happened during a trip to Italy where I went to mass one the morning in Assisi because I felt the devotion of St. Francis. From my belief system, there are places that have baraka and Assis was one such place.

In Islam, Barakah or Baraka (Arabic: بركة "blessing") is a blessing power, a kind of continuity of spiritual presence and revelation that begins with God and flows through that and those closest to God. Baraka can be found within physical objects, places, and people, as chosen by God.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I appreciate the well thought-out and good-natured, honest response to my post. Your contribution is incredible.

I'm sorry you feel the need for sarcasm. I was being quite serious. I honestly cannot think of a useful (for me) definition of "special spiritual experiences." I've seen a good deal of natural beauty, some remarkable kindness, a bit of brilliance, and a few instances of exceptional courage. All have moved me. None strike me as spiritual.

As a result, I don't look for the spiritual but, rather, for the beautiful, the kind, the brilliant, and the courageous.

I am perfectly OK with you having a different experience or focus..

 

[Vinayaka]

For those who belong to a particular religion or faith-tradition, have you had any special spiritual experiences in any location which was not special to your religion, but special to another?

Let me share a personal story. I was never a Christian or belonged to any particular church, and most closely align with the teachings of Baha'u'llah. I was dating a woman from a United Pentecostal church and would regularly attend. I never spoke in tongues but overall, I enjoyed the passion and energy the small church provided. One day, I could feel the energy was particularly different. The air was heavy. The preacher was about to start his sermon and stopped. He just asked for everyone to keep praying on their own. I normally wouldn't be obedient, but this day I also prayed with a strong feeling. I could feel this spark of energy this day inside. Then, something strange happened. There was this man who would attend every service, but who could not speak without a stutter and had special needs to the point he was unable to work. He stood up and with the most commanding voice, spoke to us for maybe a minute. The gist was he said that "I have come and you did not recognize me." He reprimanded the congregation. Then, he lowered himself back onto his knees and went back to praying just as he was prior. After the service, I asked the man about what he said. He did not remember. I restated it and he just said that it was a strange thing to say.

This particular church will always have a special place in my heart even though I have never been Christian. Your turn!

I've been to 3 or 4 indigenous sacred sites (medicine wheels) in western Canada. Two in particular had strong spiritual quiet vibrations for me. They are called cairns (piles of stone) and have unknown use. Generally they are on the highest hill around, and you can see in all 4 directions. Some are till active and indigenous elders will pilgrimage to them. I will return to each some day, most likely.

 

[CharmingOwl]

I have had three knocks on my door to find nobody there. They say in Christianity that this means the holy spirit wants to save your soul, but I would rather go to hell (If I had to go to any realm mentioned in the Christian faith) because I think it is better there. I heard three knocks at the back of the house which they say is the devil, but I don't even know if I believe in that because demons do not really come without chanting an enn or summoning them. I guess this can apply to Lavenderism if I think gods or intranquil thetans are knocking on my door, but I honestly don't really see it as a greater religious experience than the stuff I typically experience.

 

[crossfire]

"The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, but stranger than we can imagine." - Sir Arthur Eddington

It's the experiences that I don't expect that I find the most remarkable.

Buddhism gave me a language to describe various experiences I've had before I started studying Buddhism.