An Introduction to Religious and Spiritual Experience

Spiritual experiences across history and cultures, from founders of major religions to ordinary people today, share common features but are interpreted differently by religious, philosophical, and scientific perspectives. Mystical and near-death experiences are included, with examples drawn from archival sources and personal accounts. The work considers whether there is a common core to these experiences and whether they provide evidence for God or life after death. It concludes by evaluating what spiritual experiences reveal about consciousness, religion, and human nature.

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Abstract

This comprehensive new introduction looks at spiritual experiences from past to present, from the experiences of the founders of the major world religious traditions to events in the lives of ordinary people today. Mystical and Near Death Experiences are included. Examples are drawn from a variety of sources, including original accounts from the Alister Hardy Religious Experience Research Centre Archive at the University of Wales, Lampeter as well as many given to the author in person. Interpretations of these experiences follow, from religious, philosophical and scientific viewpoints. Various questions are considered. Is there a common core to spiritual experience? Do these experiences offer proof of the existence of God or of the possibility of survival of death? This fascinating work concludes with an evaluation of what can be learned about consciousness, religion and what it is to be human.