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PINES CITY COLLEGES
GENERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
First Semester, A.Y. 202 2 - 2023
Course Number: VALUES 101
Course Title: RELIGION, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES AND SPIRITUALITY
Modular Learning Guide # 6
Topic: Religious & Spiritual Experiences
Expected Time of Completion: 6 hours (November 7 – 18 , 202 2 )
A. Learning Outcomes
- Differentiate religious experience and spiritual experience
B. Learning Content EXPERIENCE
Practical knowledge, skill, or practice derived from direct observation of or participation in events or in a particular activity
RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE
A Religious experience is an encounter of a human being with a supernatural being, be it a deity or an emissary or intermediary for the deity, nevertheless a spiritual entity. It is a numinal experience. Religious experiences are for the most part, individual and esoteric.
SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE
First, the spiritual experience involves a subtle, bodily feeling with vague meanings. The individual has a vague, subtle feeling that can be attended to in the body at the present time. Spirituality involves subtle feelings, a bodily sense, and not simply a cognitive belief system. For example, a person may have a vaguely "good" feeling that involves a large sense of peace and calm in the chest or a vaguely "uncomfortable" feeling that includes a sense of emptiness in the torso area. The feelings are subtle, elusive, hard to describe, and more than can be put into words. The feelings are not just single emotions such as happy or afraid. They can be located in the body, for example in the throat, chest, or stomach. The vague, complex feelings carry implicitly felt meanings or meanings that are only vaguely felt. The exact meaning is not yet known.
Second, this subtle, bodily feeling with vague meanings brings new, clearer meanings. "Bring" implies that people frequently perceive that they do not cause these new, explicit meanings to occur. At first the person senses an unclear feeling that carries only implicit meanings. As the person continues to pay attention to the unclear, subtle feeling in a gentle, caring way, new meanings unfold and become clearer. For example, as the person pays attention to a vague feeling of peace and calm, the person may receive a new, explicit meaning or understanding of "accepting another person's differences."
Third, a spiritual experience involves a transcendent growth process. "Transcend" means to move beyond one's former frame of reference in a direction of higher or broader scope, a more inclusive perspective. Such transcendence is essential to human growth. A transcendent growth process, found in all human beings, involves moving beyond one's own unhealthy egocentricity, duality, and exclusivity towards more healthy egocentricity, inclusivity, unity, and a capacity to love (Chandler, Holden, & Kolander,
1992). The movement from unhealthy to healthy egocentricity might involve the ability to become more assertive or the increased ability to stand one's ground.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE
In terms of Belief & Spiritual Experience
Religion : At its core, religion is about faith. That is to say, belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religion’s teachings. Unlike the scientific worldview, religions don’t require evidence to validate their claims. Through religion, you are taught to have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible and ultimate truth of reality. Acceptance and surrender to the divine are taught as the path that leads to ultimate salvation.
Spirituality : Spirituality doesn’t dismiss faith; however, it often leans more heavily on direct experience of the soul or divinity. Spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, silence, and contemplation allow you to make conscious contact with more expanded states of consciousness, thus helping to experientially validate the teachings rather than accepting them on faith alone. You know something because you have tasted the experience yourself and have allowed it to resonate, as opposed to taking the word of another.
FORMATION OF SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE
The Spirit and the written Word, and the indwelling Christ help us to experience “living water,” which flows out of our innermost being (John 7:37-38), coming from the depths of our identities and our communities.
Spiritual disciplines are the tools of spiritual formation. Practices such labyrinth walking or contemplative prayer or lectio divina are good, but they do not necessarily result in formation. Only the Spirit can bring about spiritual formation.
To be attentive and receptive to the Spirit’s formative work in us, we engage the spiritual disciplines, and recognize that formation happens best in diverse communities. Spiritual directors, mentors, pastors, and spiritual friends provide important relationships for reflection, companionship, and sometimes guidance. The best gift from these special relationships is the act of their listening deeply to us and on our behalf with the Spirit.
C. Learning Activities (via online discussion – Google Meet)
- Differentiate religious experience and spiritual experience
D. Resources https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialsciences/ppecorino/phil_of_religion_text/CHAPTER_5_ ARGUMENTS_EXPERIENCE/Religious_Experiences.htm#:~:text=A%20Religious%20experien ce%20is%20an,most%20part%2C%20individual%20and%20esoteric.
http://previous.focusing.org/defining.htm
E. Assessment (to be facilitated via Google Classroom)
Quiz [multiple choice, identification, essay, modified true or false, and other types] – 1 type will be selected only.
F. References
3G E-Learning LLC, USA. (2018). RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES AND SPIRITUALITY. USA: 3G E-Learning
LECTURE NOTES # 6 for MODULAR LEARNING GUIDE # 6
For our 6th^ module, we will talk about “Religious & Spiritual Experiences”.
Experience is a direct contact to an event or a situation. Usually, one or more of our senses is/are being stimulated in order to understand “experience”. For example, while I’m typing this lecture notes, I hear sound of vehicular wheels that runs so fast. Even if I didn’t see it, I still experienced it by using one of my senses which is the auditory sense.
Religious Experience is an encounter with the Divine. This was already tackled in our preliminary topics. It’s not our physical senses that encounters the supernatural entity, but it is the spiritual analog of our senses.
Spiritual Experience
1 st , it involves a vague feeling. It can be a calming feeling in the chest or a feeling of discomfort in the torso area. It simply cannot be put into words.
2 nd , from vague feeling to a clearer meaning. So, for example, before, I am experiencing peace of mind and I cannot understand why. That is implicit. Now, all becomes clearer when I was able to forgive my friend. That is explicit.
3 rd, it involves transcendent growth. This is when you don’t think of your self only and it comes naturally when you become inclusive. It involves environment, God, friends, and others in every idea you make or decisions you choose.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE
In terms of Belief & Spiritual Experience
Religion : It talks about faith. Faith that does not require empirical evidences. This is not blind faith.
Spirituality : It is validating the faith you have. Having faith alone is not enough. Nurturing your spirituality allows you to grow deeper in your faith.
FORMATION OF SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE
When we let the spirit of Christ in our heart, it resonates in our identity and communities.
Practices like going to church for prayers is a spiritual discipline but it does not necessarily mean that you are spiritually formed already. It is one of your guides in achieving spiritual formation.
Being receptive of the spiritual formation is the key in becoming the best version of ourselves. Having spiritual directors, mentors, or spiritual friends is a gift. It is one of the growth you can have because they are willing to listen and you are able to share or vice versa.
