Fellow atheists : If any, what sort of spiritual experiences have you had?

Question

Jayelle asked a question last night, and it inspired my question here. Out of fairness to her, let me post the link to her question :

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlrvH_uNUzd4Jb1Esl777Bzty6IX?qid=20070423153504AAdNzGE&show=7#profile-info-e66c71f0c50e7672789a78265879bdc5aa

I went to a drum circle/memorial service in Balboa Park (San Diego) the night Jerry Garcia died. It was incredibly moving, and one of the most spiritual experiences of my life.

I wasn't a Deadhead, but most of my friends were. They drew me into the entire experience of being a fan, and I actually felt the loss. I hugged people that night that I'd never met, and knew that I would never see again after that night.

The sense of community, as well as unity, that I felt that night hasn't been paralleled since.

I realize not every atheist is spiritual, but I'd be interested in those who wouldn't mind sharing.

Thanks to all who answered. There are some fantastic responses. I don't feel it's fair for one person to choose a best answer, so I'm sending this one to the jury.

Answer 1

I once went hot air ballooning over the Colorado Rockies, and I found that to be a very moving, spiritual experience.

I can't find words to describe the feeling of soaring silently over the mountains in the cold pre-dawn air, and the thrill of watching the sun rise.

I would expect most women to say the births of their children, but ballooning so many years ago has always had a special impact on me.

Answer 2

I tell my wife all the time that the feeling she gets at church isn't god, it's the sense of being in awe of someone or something. Being in the presence of something you idolize. If you watch some video from old Michael Jackson concerts (pre-pedophilia Michael), you'll notice that tons and tons of women and men pass out screaming for him, and faint at his touch. Michael doesn't have magical powers, he's simply idolized by people.

The same goes for Prince, The Beatles, and several other artists. Being in a place where there are many others that share the same feeling intensifies the feeling, and makes it that much easier to just go with the feeling. Without idolizing these people are these things, you can't get that feeling, regardless of how others feel. That's why I never got the holy spirit, despite the fact that the preachers declared god was in the house and was touching each and every one of us. That's also why christians say you can't understand unless you accept him into your heart. Unless you share the delusion, you will not share in the delusional festivities. If you don't like Michael Jackson, you won't pass out when he touches you. But if you idolize him, you probably will.

Answer 3

I can feel the energy I've come to define as the Tao. I've always been able to do this.

I've watched people channel but I'm of agnostic opinions about what it really is.

I'm really good at the pendulum... so much that I never hold a necklace out straight anymore because it keeps starting to move and it weirds me out.

I talked to both my children in utero and I swear I had a sort of mental reply.

There's more, I've had spiritual and paranormal experiences my whole life, which is why I'd be lying to myself if I said I didn't believe in some sort of spiritual energy.

Yeah yeah, I'm nuts, I know it. I don't care. At least I'm honest about my being nuts.

Answer 4

Well you have hit upon the very reason that I am a Pagan Atheist. Community and unity with the world. However, what most people call spiritual, I call energy and emotion. (Hence the reason 'tent revivals' get so many whipped up into walking down the aisles). I believe that these heightened experiences will further our evolution by taking humanity to the next level. What most people call 'supernatural', I call unexplained. As for the Gods and Goddesses of Paganism, I simply see them as archetypes/symbols. I love the imagery of the Tarot and every card has a message for better living and focus. Nothing supernatural about it, but it is very romantic and emotional.

There is a science behind the effects of drumming upon the human physiology. Again, it is not supernatural, but yet remains powerful. Do not listen to the naysaying Atheists in our ranks. I find many of them to be as afraid as the Christians of anything outside themselves, clinging to their own dogma as dogmatically.....LOL.

Answer 5

Escaping death in an ambush/shootout near Fallujah in June 2003. My birthday, to be exact.

We were bringing back supplies and rations from Camp Dogwood.

A bullet whizzed past my kevlar and ricocheted off my vehicle and I got pinged on my frag vest on the side, but it was only a nasty bruise, but at the moment, I was convinced I was hit and going to die. The pain was awful.

I saw my whole life flash in front of me, and I had been Christian up until that point. I realized, that it was only my training that had spared me, and good fortune. Plus the questionable circumstances that we were there for in the first place...but that's another story.

Seeing life and death live in living color is spiritual. It either brings you closer to god, or makes you question god, and life itself.

Answer 6

When i dedicated myself to the Gods of Wicca.

it was amazing, it was like time stopped and the floor beneath my feet began to pulse, then the room started spinning.

After that i was sure that the gods were real in some form.
But all good things must come to an end.

EDIT: Besides it might have been caused by smoke inhalation, My dog's ate all my incense so i just burned some paper with spells on it :) Really stupid thing to do, I almost burned the house down ^_^

Answer 7

I can't say that I've ever experienced anything like that. I do get a very emotional and physical response to nature and art. It doesn't even matter if the art is aesthetically pleasing. I love to try to figure out if there is a message in each piece. And as far as nature goes, I can understand why pagans often revere it. It is glorious in its natural beauty (even storms are beautiful IMO).

And I answered this without one touch of sarcasm. Amazing!!

Answer 8

this is the reason understanding the adjustments between literal wolves, and literal sheep delivers perception right into a thank you to proceed. In GOD's domicile we don't subject approximately wolves ravening or regardless of. the good Shepherd gazes up this is new dermis you all understand WHAT it particularly is. jk I ignore the guys call what replaced into it? started with an 'r'. Toys r us, perchance?

Answer 9

Kensho

Answer 10

Yeah after an 1/8 of mushrooms.