'mystics' and there relgious experiences./?/ not buying it.

[Desert Snake]

I for one know that it did happen, whether you believe it or not. Your opinion won't change that. What can't be proven can at least be experienced, and this is one of those experiences.

Describe it?

 

[Desert Snake]

I've had meditative experiences, and I don't doubt that people have "mystic" experiences. What I do doubt is all the assumptions that people make about them, the complex belief structures they place around an interesting experience.

Are you agreeing with my OP, btw? Can't tell.

 

[Levite]

I'll keep this in mind, next time I'm reading one of your comments.
Ditto!

...OK, whatever....

 

[Desert Snake]

You're not supposed to. Experiences are, by nature, personal. I wouldn't expect you to understand what sex is like for me either.

Then why are they presented in the first place?

 

[Theweirdtophat]

Describe it?

I don't think it'd matter much if I described it, as you probably wouldn't believe me even if I did go into detail. But mine wasn't really about a particular god, but spirits, tree spirits to be exact where I not only felt their energy when I was awake but also when I was asleep. I remember leaving home and a tree spirit was wondering when I'd be back. I woke up and walked up to the tree in my dreams, with love and affection, and assured the tree spirit that I'd be back. The energy I felt from the tree shifted, as before it was worried that I'd be gone for a long time, but it shifted when it learned I would return.

 

[roger1440]

I haven't read one convincing anecdote of a religious experience by /seems either catholic, or some form of that, similar, meditative 'oneness', or whatever.//.

I'm not buying it.

I’ll let you in on a little secret, shhhh. It’s when we stop searching we realize we always had what we been looking for.

 

[Desert Snake]

Why not? Some sound legit to me.

I prefer to keep my opinions in a broad category. In fact, hasn't it occurred to you, that such a broad category of ''mystic'' experiences is problematic, anyway? My OP was intended to be a bit more specific, however, the words are sorta loosey goosey in definition, for a general DIR.

 

[Desert Snake]

I’ll let you in on a little secret, shhhh. It’s when we stop searching we realize we always had what we been looking for.

Searching for what? Dude, if someone adheres to a church that is obviously unsavory, whatever it is, you think I'm looking for ''answers'' from them?
I'm openly critical of many of the 'sources' of these anecdotes, and they return the favor. I'm not looking for, nor need, advice on how to find whatever you think I would be looking for.

 

[Desert Snake]

I don't think it'd matter much if I described it, as you probably wouldn't believe me even if I did go into detail. But mine wasn't really about a particular god, but spirits, tree spirits to be exact where I not only felt their energy when I was awake but also when I was asleep. I remember leaving home and a tree spirit was wondering when I'd be back. I woke up and walked up to the tree in my dreams, with love and affection, and assured the tree spirit that I'd be back. The energy I felt from the tree shifted, as before it was worried that I'd be gone for a long time, but it shifted when it learned I would return.

I wouldn't say that I 'don't believe you'.

Might want to read the OP again/?/.

 

[roger1440]

These are the best books on the topic

The Varieties of Religious Experience - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Religions, Values, and Peak-Experiences (Compass): Abraham H. Maslow: 9780140194876: Amazon.com: Books

 

[Desert Snake]

Those who have experienced them would like to understand what is going on.

Or lying, mistaken, etc etc.

I don't know why you'd expect to be convinced by someone else's experience. I've never experienced ghosts or alien abductions, so none of the claims seem particularly convincing. If however I had seen a ghost, I'd probably be real interested in explaining it.

I don't expect to be ''convinced'' by some one elses experience.

I do agree however that we try to create a picture from a puzzle with most of the pieces missing. While we continue to look for more pieces, some have convinced themselves of knowing the final truth.

Is this an interesting way of saying you agree with the OP?

Me, I'll talk sometimes as if concepts I create are true but that mostly because I am looking for reasons to question them. Hopefully others will point out the gaps in my thinking.

 

[roger1440]

I haven't read one convincing anecdote of a religious experience by /seems either catholic, or some form of that, similar, meditative 'oneness', or whatever.//.

I'm not buying it.

What would convince you?

 

[Desert Snake]

What would convince you?

I don't know what you mean. I'm talking about other peoples experiences, that seem sketchy. Your question is variable on the person, and how they would determine 'convincing evidence'. If I say, ''nothing'', it might mean something completely different from someone else's same answer.

Ehm, btw, I didn't say I wasn't 'convinced', /on any topic/.
ps if you mean, convinced about the stories I don't credible? Dunno. That seems like a tough request? lol

 

[Levite]

Religions, Values, and Peak-Experiences (Compass): Abraham H. Maslow: 9780140194876: Amazon.com: Books

Terrific book. Totally under-used and under-appreciated.

 

[Nakosis]

Or lying, mistaken, etc etc.

I think they'd know if they were lying or could be shown if they were mistaken.

I don't expect to be ''convinced'' by some one elses experience.

Then why complain? People who have common experiences get together to discuss and try to understand those experiences.

Is this an interesting way of saying you agree with the OP?

I share a lack of buying into things I haven't experienced for myself. Doesn't mean I think they are all lying or mistaken. Really just means I have no experience with which to judge. However yes sometimes people fail to question their basis of truth.

I wouldn't advise that technique, but whatever.

I'm not afraid to put my beliefs out there and let them be criticized. If fact I'd prefer criticism over acceptance.

 

[ChristineES]

I haven't read one convincing anecdote of a religious experience by /seems either catholic, or some form of that, similar, meditative 'oneness', or whatever.//.

I'm not buying it.

That's certainly your decision. What do you want to debate?

 

[Desert Snake]

That's certainly your decision. What do you want to debate?[/COLOR]

The credibility of those 'anecdotes'.

 

[roger1440]

Terrific book. Totally under-used and under-appreciated.

The book had made the top 100 list by many people

 

[Desert Snake]

I think they'd know if they were lying or could be shown if they were mistaken.



Then why complain? People who have common experiences get together to discuss and try to understand those experiences.



I share a lack of buying into things I haven't experienced for myself. Doesn't mean I think they are all lying or mistaken. Really just means I have no experience with which to judge. However yes sometimes people fail to question their basis of truth.



I'm not afraid to put my beliefs out there and let them be criticized. If fact I'd prefer criticism over acceptance.

One of the techniques of scam artists, etc., is keeping things ''vague''. So, the OP cannot be vague. Yes, of course, not everyone is 'lying', etc., however the standards for discerning what might be truth from fiction, seem very low, generally.

 

[Desert Snake]

@disciple Depends on what you mean by mystical or spiritual experience. There are many things out there to be experienced. You don't need to attribute them to gods. I can see how someone would if it was based on their cultural and religious context to use the language they've been taught.

Pesto pizza can be a religious experience. I think X-mas a my house might be a religious experience for many people.