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spirituality

TESTING THE THEORY

space

Deep Space


If mysticism is to be studied seriously, it should not merely be studied indirectly and from without, but also directly and from within

wrote Frits Staal in his book Exploring Mysticism. The relation of mystical experiences to each other cannot be decided by rival theories but by the sharing of spiritual experiences in deep dialogue. In part, this is the work of ‘specialists’ and we shall learn about the discoveries from meetings of monks and nuns of different faiths which have been co-ordinated by Monastic Interfaith Dialogue.

Mystical experiences, however, are by no means confined to ‘religious professionals’, but, as the work of the Religious Experience Research Centre has shown, they are not uncommon, although people are often naturally reluctant to talk about them. We shall later on suggest resources by which anyone can enrich their spiritual path by drawing upon the sacred literature of the world’s religions.

Even if we do not think that mysticism is for us, the discoveries of those who have pioneered interspirituality have great importance for how we see the relation of religions to each other. Members of the Snowmass Conference, which brings together such pioneers, have affirmed that

The world religions bear witness to the experience of Ultimate Reality to which they give various names: Brahman, Allah, (the) Absolute, God, Great Spirit.

If this is true, then members of different religions are brothers and sisters in the spirit. Hostility and competition is, therefore, a betrayal of very faith. It suggests also the possibility that on occasion people of different religions should pray together - even if this is questioned by religious authorities.

 

exercise indicatorHave you had a mystical experience? Has this affected how you feel about your faith? Does it make interfaith more attractive to you or less? Can you pray with others from different religions? Do you think there is one Ultimate Reality known by different names?

 

 

 

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