Source: “The Fifth Dimension: An Exploration Of The Spiritual Realm”, By John Hick*,* Danforth Professor of the Philosophy of Religion, 2013.
13. The Explainer - Religious Experience.mp4
13. Religious Experience - Unpacking Consciousness, Transcendence, and the Human Mind.m4a
This topic explores religious experience as a modification of consciousness structured by religious concepts, defining these as ideas of transcendent, non-physical realities like gods or heaven. It posits that "religious" and "mystical" experiences are interchangeable terms, ranging from subtle senses of a divine presence to profound visions. Crucially, the text emphasizes that interpretation occurs in the genesis of the experience itself, rather than after a neutral initial experience, which explains why religious and non-religious individuals perceive the universe differently. The author distinguishes between experiences that can be interpreted religiously or non-religiously (like appreciating nature) and those inherently religious (like a vision of Christ). Research suggests a significant portion of the population reports such experiences, often leading to positive psychological well-being and a transformation of perception where the environment gains religious meaning, sometimes involving ego-transcendence and a profound sense of interconnectedness, akin to Zen Buddhist satori.
Topic 1. Definition of Religious Experience Religious experience is defined as modifications of consciousness that are structured by religious concepts. Consciousness, in this context, refers to what one's awareness undergoes. Essentially, when one's conscious state is shaped or informed by ideas of the divine or sacred, it constitutes a religious experience.
Topic 2. Nature of Religious Concepts Religious concepts are primarily understood as ideas pertaining to transcendent, non-physical realities. These include, but are not limited to, deities like gods, spiritual entities such as demons or angels, and philosophical or spiritual principles like Dharma, Tao, Brahman, or notions of an afterlife such as heaven or hell. Their core use is found within religious discourse.
Topic 3. Fusion of Concepts in Religious Use Religious concepts are not limited to abstract spiritual ideas; they can also be combined with non-religious concepts. This involves taking ordinary, everyday concepts—like animals, mountains, trees, rivers, or even human beings, water, bread, and wine—and imbuing them with a religious meaning or purpose. Examples include totem animals, sacred places, sacramental acts, or the perception of certain individuals as inspired or holy. Almost anything can be conscripted for religious use through this fusion.
Topic 4. Equivalence of Religious and Mystical Experience The text treats "religious experience" and "mystical experience" as two terms that refer to the same broad spectrum of phenomena. This spectrum ranges from subtle, fleeting or sustained sensations of a divine or holy presence to profound and powerful visions, auditory experiences, and experiences of unity with a greater, higher reality.
Topic 5. Interpretation in the Genesis of Experience A key aspect of religious experience is that interpretation is integral to its very formation, rather than being a subsequent intellectual process. It's not that religious and non-religious individuals have the identical conscious experience and then merely interpret it differently. Instead, the mind's interpretive activity is involved in how the experience itself comes into being, which explains why different minds can respond to the universe in fundamentally different ways—some perceiving transcendence where others do not.
Topic 6. Religiously Ambiguous Situations Some experiences are described as being "religiously ambiguous." These are situations mediated through physical circumstances that can be perceived either religiously or non-religiously. The external situation itself does not inherently dictate a religious response. For instance, a beautiful natural scene might evoke a sense of transcendence in one person, while another person in the exact same setting might experience it purely non-religiously. The scene on the River Wye, as described by Wordsworth, serves as a prime example of such an ambiguous situation.
Topic 7. Inherently Structured Religious Experiences In contrast to ambiguous situations, some experiences are inherently structured by religious concepts, meaning they can only occur with the use of such concepts. These are often referred to as mystical experiences. An example provided is seeing a vision of Jesus Christ, as depicted in Christian art, speaking specific religious phrases. Such an experience is, by definition, a religious one because its very content is religious. There isn't an option to experience this particular vision and simultaneously regard it as non-religious.
Topic 8. Veridical vs. Delusory Interpretations Even when an experience is inherently religious, individuals can interpret its truthfulness differently. A person might regard it as "veridical," meaning they believe it to be truly reflective of reality. This can manifest as naive realism, where one believes the religious figure was physically present, or as critical realism, where one accepts the experience as a cognitive response to a transcendent impact, expressed in a specific religious form. Conversely, one might regard the experience as "delusory" or non-veridical, believing there is no transcendent reality, or that if there is, it was not manifested in that specific experience. These distinctions apply across various religious traditions.
Topic 9. The Common "Sense of Presence" A common and generally less powerful form of religious experience is described as a "sense of presence." This can be a fleeting feeling of an all-embracing mystery or a "feeling of absolute dependence" upon a greater, unseen reality, as noted by theologian Schleiermacher. It's a vaguely religious experience, structured by a very general religious concept. This feeling can be quite widespread among people.