Can We Have A Direct Experience Of Deity? (divine)

[Sunstone]

Can we have a direct experience of deity? That is, can we have an experience of deity that is mediated by nothing, including consciousness?

If so, how can we know we have had such an experience since the experience was not mediated by consciousness, which is self awareness? That is, how can we know we have had a direct experience of deity if we were not self aware during the experience?

[sojourner]

Isn't the meditative or contemplative state something other than what we would usually describe as "consciousness?" If so, then the divine can be felt, or known, rather than "cognated."

[robtex]

David by direct I think Phil means application of one of the 5 senses as opposed to being emotionally felt.

[sojourner]

Ah. Ok. But, are not our emotions as "direct," in terms of experience, as our physical senses? In fact, are they not really more experiential, since they impact us more deeply?

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Can we have a direct experience of deity? That is, can we have an experience of deity that is mediated by nothing, including consciousness?

Well, if it's possible what good would it do us or God? Wouldn't the purpose of an experience with deity be to enlighten? How can one be enlightened when you have no idea you've been touched?

If so, how can we know we have had such an experience since the experience was not mediated by consciousness, which is self awareness? That is, how can we know we have had a direct experience of deity if we were not self aware during the experience?

Great question.....we would attribute the experience to our own propelled growth and not credit the experience to deity.

[Sunstone]

Perhaps we should focus first on the question, "can we have an experience of deity that is unmediated by consciousness"?

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Well, if it's possible what good would it do us or God? Wouldn't the purpose of an experience with deity be to enlighten?

On what grounds can we ascribe a purpose to such things? Is it possible to know of any purpose to an experience of deity?

Great question.....we would attribute the experience to our own propelled growth and not credit the experience to deity.

I think you're right about this. But could we deduce that we had had an experience of deity from comparing who we were before the experience to who we were after the experience?

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Perhaps we should focus first on the question, "can we have an experience of deity that is unmediated by consciousness"?

Then it wouldn't be "us" who is having it.