The Sacred Mystery: Exploring Religious Experience and Meaning
- The Mystery: Defining the Scope of the Sacred
The mystery is overwhelming. It demands humility, for excessive pride blinds us to discovery.
We seek to clarify the nature of the Other. Christianity identifies it as “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Other traditions use different names, such as “the unspeakable” or “the indescribable.” To encompass all religions, we adopt Rudolf Otto’s term, “the holy,” which we will refer to as the “Mystery.”
Due to the Mystery’s absolute superiority, direct contemplation is impossible; it would be uncontrollable. We can only approach it through its echoes within the religious subject. (e.g., Hebrews: “No one has ever seen God.”)
- Characteristics of the Mystery
- Real and Unprovable: Real because it’s not a human invention but an undeniable presence. It’s described as “pure being” or “necessary being,” owing its existence to nothing but itself. Yet, it’s unprovable because there’s no rational evidence. It simply is, the “unspeakable.” (Recall the burning bush: “I AM WHO I AM.”)
- Transcendent and Immanent: Transcendent because it surpasses worldly comparison and control. It’s the “totally Other,” distinct from all we know. Yet, it’s also immanent, present within us. As St. Augustine said, “Higher than the highest, yet within the innermost.”
- Active and Engaging: Active because its presence is dynamic and empowers all beings. Some place this power at the heart of the sacred. (This power exists even when dormant, awaiting activation.) Engaging because it respects human freedom, inviting a response. Our happiness hinges on this response. (The parable of the rich young man illustrates this: “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor…” His refusal led to lasting unhappiness.) (Matthew 25: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father…”)
- Intrinsically Valuable: It is valuable in itself and gives value to all existence. As Juan de Dios Martín Velasco states, “Worthy of being in itself, and worthy of being bestowed upon all that is.”
- Free: As the supreme good, it is beyond utility. It provides ultimate meaning, not immediate profit. It cannot be manipulated to answer our questions or satisfy desires.
This relates to the misuse of religion by political regimes.
- Tremendous and Fascinating: Tremendous due to its absolute transcendence and majesty. Fascinating due to its immaculate beauty, supreme goodness, and holiness. When the Mystery’s power manifests, it is irresistible.
- Personal and Silent: Historically, the divine has been represented through inanimate objects (stars, mountains, rivers, trees, animals). However, this doesn’t negate its personal nature. What matters is the individual’s relationship with the Mystery, mediated through these images. This revelation becomes interpersonal when the Mystery interacts with us, challenging us and prompting choices. This personal structure doesn’t preclude the experience of divine silence. (We struggle with silence; God often speaks in it. Learning silence is crucial.) Although Christianity characterizes divinity as the Word, God’s silence is acknowledged, leading to various schools of thought: deism, secularization, atheism, even the “death of God.” However, religion also interprets this silence as a testament to the Mystery’s inaccessibility, otherness, and respect for human freedom.
- Types of Hierophanies
- Sacred Places and Spaces: Places where the divine has manifested are considered sacred. Altars and temples commemorate these events (Jerusalem, Mecca, Fatima, Bethlehem).
- The Cosmos: Nature is rich in sacred symbols.
- Heaven: Represents inaccessibility, transcendence, and dynamism.
- Stars: Especially the sun and moon, symbolize telluric forces governing life cycles.
- Water: Ambivalently symbolizes both life and death.
- Fire: Represents light, heat, destruction, purification, divine presence, and wrath.
- Air: Symbolizes transcendence, divine power, and the vital spirit.
- Earth: Represents nurturing, motherhood, life, and death.
- Trees: Symbolize life, the divine, and vital forces.
- Animals: Represent natural forces and are often venerated.
Religious Experience
Myths
Myths are narratives born from ancient reflection, helping us understand our place in the world.
- A Story: Myths convey knowledge through narrative.
- Ancient and Impersonal: Created collectively over generations.
- Seeking Meaning: Myths address life’s fundamental questions.
- Holistic Sense: Integrate experiences into a comprehensive understanding.
Myths are symbolic, not scientific, offering insights into ourselves and our connections.
Rites
Rites are stylized, conventional actions expressing feelings and emotions.
- Universal and Cultural: Some rites are common to all, while others are culturally specific.
Religious rites often adapt universal gestures, imbuing them with deeper meaning. Words play a crucial role in rites.
- Explanation: Clarify gestures.
- Connection: Link rites to historical events.
- Engagement: Express personal involvement.
- Validity: Rites must be both authentic and intelligible.
Holidays
Holidays are communal, ritualistic expressions of joy and shared aspirations.
- Affirmation of Life: Celebrate life’s worth.
- Utopian Sense: Reflect hopes and ideals.
- Gratitude: Express thankfulness.
- Exuberance: Release energy and express confidence.
- Total Symbol: Represent truth, goodness, and beauty.
Religious holidays commemorate past events while anticipating future fulfillment.
Religious Experience and the Meaning of Life
- Religion and Meaning: Religion provides meaning through transcendence.
- Relativity and Absoluteness: All realities point to something beyond.
- Hope for the Afterlife: Offers solace in the face of death.
Religion enhances, not diminishes, human capabilities.
Distorted Experiences
- Fatalism: Transcendence as an imposed destiny.
- Fanaticism: Absolutizing doctrines and leading to intolerance.
Unbelief
Forms of Unbelief
- Superstition: Replacing religious trust with a desire to manipulate divine powers.
- Idolatry: Replacing God with other objects of worship.
- Magic: Attempting to control divine forces through ritual.
Incorrect Responses to Unbelief
- Nostalgia: Longing for a seemingly more certain past.
- Defensiveness: Emphasizing institutional strength and rigid doctrines.
- Withdrawal: Isolating oneself from the modern world.
- False Adaptation: Conforming beliefs to modern ideologies.
The Great Religions
Religion Through Time
Religion is ancient, evolving from simple Paleolithic forms to complex world religions.
Branches of Religion
- Mystical Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism): Emphasize inner experience and union with the absolute.
- Prophetic Religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam): Emphasize divine call, oneness of God, and historical openness.
- Rationalist Criticism: Emphasizes rational knowledge and critiques myth and ritual.
Each branch has demonstrated vitality and capacity for development.