Religion May Also Deliver An Experience
Every religion began with the experience of a highly genius, holy, and wholesome person (an avatar) trying to convey the essence of his or her experience and insight gained from his or her search for truth and self-discovery. The avatar's students often derived instructions on how to achieve the same understanding and proffered lessons on what that experience could or should mean for how one should live.
Specifying the way to certain experiences is difficult. Every mind is different. The combination of innate ability, prior experience, relationships, culture, context, socialization, resources, state of mind, and cognition means that each mind may require personalized religious teachings, a capable instructor, and an inspiring example in order to have personalized experiences of their chosen religion. People have to first want to have an experience and then follow the relevant teachings almost to the letter. It is not enough to sit in the pew on Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s Day (though one could argue that such a Christian achieves his or her own experience even if not the one specified by Jesus).
Ancient religion often included an experience. Trance, for example, was thought to provide healing benefits. In some communities, these experiences were part of the leadership development and maturation process of community youth. Each session was unique to each participant. One had to immerse oneself in a structured initiation process that connected one to the Divine Source or to the community’s Protector(s).
Modern religion concerns itself with inculcating a moral compass. A holy text puts everyone on the same doctrinal page and a place of worship is where one finds a community and understanding. In their addresses to adherents, religious leaders show how to apply the lessons from the holy text to common situations in the lives of congregants. Many also make themselves available to those who seek wise counsel or a healing presence. There is little emphasis on delivering a formative, spiritual experience. Perhaps ancient faiths and today’s religions could be combined in some way.
Religious experiences should be prized and sought out for those willing to spend the time to follow the teachings. Each believer has a unique experience depending on how that person worships and whether they adhere to the values and practices prescribed by the authoritative doctrine or its ministers. No experience is superior to another but some may be more memorable, inspiring, or beneficial. Those who have religious or spiritual experiences may provide valuable inspiration and instruction to other believers. For that reason, modern religion should develop and provide spiritual experiences that further its doctrine. In so doing, we bring Abrahamic religions together with Eastern religions, which could be the basis for a greater peace.
Do you believe religion should explicitly provide spiritual experiences to its believers? Share your opinion with scott@theorism.org.