I've had so many experiences in nature that have felt religious, and it's a pleasant feeling — one of gratitude, meaning, excitement, and peace. I don't search for some biological or neurological reason for why fresh powder at 12,000 feet gives me goosebumps. I simply welcome the religious feeling and embrace it.
Garrett, I enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing it with me. So the call to prayer literally translates to: God is the greatest, come to the prayer, come to success (falah), stand up in prayers, God is the greatest. I think there are layers of meaning embedded in the language, and you say exactly this but in different words.
As an atheist I've learned so much about abrahamic religions during my trip in Morocco, which happened to fall in the holy month of Ramadan. I had the chance to see, hear and feel the humane side of Islam in person, contrast to the biased view of Islamic world (especially in US after 9/11, Islam is often associated with terrorism).
I did have that "holy" moments when I was captivated by the the majestic Atlas mountains, the stunning Sahara desert, and sometimes just the sight of shepherds herding sheeps in prairies. Yes, you can have the spiritual feelings without being religious.
1. Surfing in Byron Bay, watching the sun set over the mountains in a golden haze with a double rainbow shooting across the sky. In that moment I marveled at the Creator, His creativity, and His graciousness to create us to enjoy His creation
2. The Sunday after my college graduation, I was singing worship at church when a wave of emotion hit me. I felt chills, a deep sense of gratitude and bittersweet realization that I was moving on from college, leaving my friends and church to begin a new journey in New York City. I'm not super emotional, but I felt like God was reminding me of the beauty of living for Him alongside community
I was raised Catholic and became agnostic around age 13 or 14. Although I experienced many “ceremonial” religious experiences, none of them made me feel close to God. Perhaps I felt somewhat close when I prayed before bed, but it felt like a relationship of need and fear.
I experienced the divine for the first time during my senior year of college. I went on a day long hike with a friend. When we reached the peak, I stared out into the vast distance and felt God enveloping me. Then I laid down in the grass, closed my eyes, and cried as I felt love wrap around me.
I see God in nature and in moments of peace & love with family when we’re all together and simply just being with one another.
I've had so many experiences in nature that have felt religious, and it's a pleasant feeling — one of gratitude, meaning, excitement, and peace. I don't search for some biological or neurological reason for why fresh powder at 12,000 feet gives me goosebumps. I simply welcome the religious feeling and embrace it.
Garrett, I enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing it with me. So the call to prayer literally translates to: God is the greatest, come to the prayer, come to success (falah), stand up in prayers, God is the greatest. I think there are layers of meaning embedded in the language, and you say exactly this but in different words.
So interesting, thank you for sharing this and for reading!
As an atheist I've learned so much about abrahamic religions during my trip in Morocco, which happened to fall in the holy month of Ramadan. I had the chance to see, hear and feel the humane side of Islam in person, contrast to the biased view of Islamic world (especially in US after 9/11, Islam is often associated with terrorism).
I did have that "holy" moments when I was captivated by the the majestic Atlas mountains, the stunning Sahara desert, and sometimes just the sight of shepherds herding sheeps in prairies. Yes, you can have the spiritual feelings without being religious.
The two biggest moments for me:
1. Surfing in Byron Bay, watching the sun set over the mountains in a golden haze with a double rainbow shooting across the sky. In that moment I marveled at the Creator, His creativity, and His graciousness to create us to enjoy His creation
2. The Sunday after my college graduation, I was singing worship at church when a wave of emotion hit me. I felt chills, a deep sense of gratitude and bittersweet realization that I was moving on from college, leaving my friends and church to begin a new journey in New York City. I'm not super emotional, but I felt like God was reminding me of the beauty of living for Him alongside community
Hey Scott! These both sound like beautiful moments. You describe them well, and it's clear why they would be moments of connection with your faith.
I was raised Catholic and became agnostic around age 13 or 14. Although I experienced many “ceremonial” religious experiences, none of them made me feel close to God. Perhaps I felt somewhat close when I prayed before bed, but it felt like a relationship of need and fear.
I experienced the divine for the first time during my senior year of college. I went on a day long hike with a friend. When we reached the peak, I stared out into the vast distance and felt God enveloping me. Then I laid down in the grass, closed my eyes, and cried as I felt love wrap around me.
I see God in nature and in moments of peace & love with family when we’re all together and simply just being with one another.
Wow, Rachael, thank you for sharing this. Summits are always spiritual. I love the way you describe that feeling.