Significance of Divine experience
Divine experience encompasses various interpretations across different philosophical and spiritual traditions in India. In Vaishnavism, it involves deep spiritual encounters leading to sin cleansing. Yoga views it as outcomes from actions aligned with divine principles. Vedanta emphasizes the realization of divinity through contemplation and devotion. Historical perspectives highlight enlightenment, creativity, and connections with higher powers. Ultimately, Divine experience is characterized by insights gained from these connections, as well as the joy and blessings associated with figures like Krishna and Rama.
Synonyms: Spiritual experience, Transcendent experience, Holy encounter, Sacred experience, Mystical experience, Spiritual encounter, Holy experience
In Dutch: Goddelijke ervaring; In Finnish: Jumalallinen kokemus; In Spanish: Experiencia divina; In Portugese: Experiência divina; In Italian: Esperienza divina; In Polish: Doświadczenie boskie
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Divine experience'
In Hinduism, Divine experience encompasses realizing Parabrahman through devotion, achieving Brahmabhava for personal divinity, engaging in transformative spiritual encounters, and experiencing outcomes from actions aligned with divine values.
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) The unrestricted and uninhibited spiritual encounters that lead to profound understanding and cleansing of sins.[1]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) The outcomes or experiences derived from actions that are aligned with divine principles or higher moral values.[2]
The concept of Divine experience in local and regional sources
Divine experience encompasses a deep connection to spirituality and human essence, revealing joy through Krishna’s blessings, fostering community among devotees, and inspiring enlightenment and creativity via the realization of a higher power and profound insights.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) An encounter or realization of God that is often spoken of as being sweet and efficacious, available through the names of Rama and Krishna.[3] (2) A notion of enlightenment and understanding that inspires creativity and deeper insights into life.[4] (3) Refers to a profound understanding and connection with the essence of human life and spirituality.[5] (4) The sensation of feeling connected to a higher power or spiritual realm, often leading to profound insights.[6]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) Refers to the joyful nature of receiving Krishna's blessings and recognition, further highlighted by the communal joy among the bhaktas.[7]
The concept of Divine experience in scientific sources
Divine experience, in this context, relates to the "delight" found within early bhakti devotional worship. It signifies an extended meaning of joy derived from connecting with the divine.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) The divine experience is viewed as being shaped by the prophet's individual male experience in the patriarchal society of his time, influencing the content of verses that refer to women, according to social psychological theories.[8] (2) Divine experience is closer to an aesthetic experience in the sense that watching Maradona playing was “akin to transcendence”, as is “Picasso painting ‘Guernica’”, “Beethoven”, and “Ringo rehearsing at Abbey Road Studios to record the White Album”.[9] (3) Giving an account of a divine experience is only possible to a certain extent, so hagiographies represent a traditional approach to comprehend the depth of an individual’s relationship to the divine as a source of its exceptional actions.[10] (4) It renders the cosmos a unity in diversity in concrete specificity.[11] (5) Isaiah’s divine experience, resulting in his conversion, is mirrored on the outer archivolt of Besse with the figure of Saint Eustace.[12]