The Phenomenon of Knowing

What is the spiritual experience of Knowing and how does it differ from religious faith or belief? It is an event that may be difficult to grasp through description, and for some difficult to believe without experiencing it themselves.

The spiritual type of knowing discussed here does not refer to factual knowledge, languages, or memory. Rather, as used here, it refers to an inexplicable revelation of spiritual truths of which one suddenly somehow knows with absolute certainty.

The Knowing may take place in a brief, spontaneous altered state of consciousness, or simply by an abrupt, strong flood of thought. Either mode is sure to get one’s attention and there will be no doubt that something extraordinary has occurred. The knowledge given in this manner may be previously unknown to the recipient, or it may involve something of which the recipient had prior knowledge, but which had not taken deep root in their spiritual awareness.

A characteristic aspect of this type of knowing is that it is unexpected, and sometimes powerful and overwhelming. It is a spiritual experience unlike anything you may have witnessed before. This is in contrast to faith and belief which are somewhat abstract, intentional commitments that one makes regarding religious and spiritual matters. That is not to say that spiritual experience cannot arise from foundations of faith, but rather faith and belief are not experiences in and of themselves.

For example, one may have faith and believe that there is a God, accepting His existence as a concept. Whereas a Knowing would be to palpably experience His presence and qualities in an altered state of awareness.

The experience of Knowing is not something that one can willfully create. One must be spiritually ready to receive the knowledge it brings. A Knowing is a spontaneous event for which the factors or circumstances needed for its occurrence are largely unknown. It is my belief that if one has an open mind concerning spirituality, a genuine desire for spiritual truth, and strives for purity of heart that they may become fertile ground for the spiritual experience of Knowing. The phenomenon of "knowing" in spirituality refers to subjective, non-rational insights and direct understandings that transcend typical intellectual or empirical knowledge, often experienced as intuition, profound inner wisdom, or a sense of deep connection to the universe, consciousness, or the divine. This type of knowing is often characterized by a direct, intuitive perception of truth or reality that is deeply embodied, leading to profound transformation, peace, and a sense of unity with a larger whole.

Characteristics of Spiritual Knowing

Intuitive and Direct:

Spiritual knowing bypasses logical deduction, offering immediate and certain understanding without needing external evidence or proof.

Subjective and Personal:

It is a deeply personal and embodied experience, often described as a "direct connection" or "communion" with universal consciousness or the divine.

Noetic:

Experiences of spiritual knowing are "noetic," meaning they are perceived as directly conveying insight and understanding, like remembering or uncovering a deep truth.

Transcendental:

It involves a transcendence of the ordinary sense of self (ego) to a wider, infinite sense of truth and reality.

Innate and Universal:

Some spiritual traditions posit that humans have an innate capacity for spiritual connection and a predisposal to seek truth, known as fitrah in Islam.

Experiences and Manifestations

Spiritual Awakening:

A significant form of spiritual knowing, where one experiences a sudden or gradual awakening to a larger, infinite truth or consciousness.

Inner Wisdom:

The feeling of receiving guidance or wisdom from within oneself, or from a spiritual source, often to navigate life's challenges.

Intuition:

A key avenue for spiritual knowing, where individuals trust their senses and gut feelings when making decisions, as a way of perceiving spiritual realities.

Love:

The recognition that love can reveal the true meaning of another person or reality, providing a deep, non-rational form of knowledge.

Miraculous Encounters:

Some spiritual traditions describe direct encounters with the divine or spiritual entities, providing transformative knowledge.

Relationship to Mindfulness and Science

Mindfulness and Brain Changes:

Practices like mindfulness and meditation can facilitate spiritual knowing by calming the brain's default mode network, fostering a state where deeper insights can emerge.

Neurological Correlates:

Scientific research is identifying neurological correlates for spiritual experiences, pointing to the temporal, parietal, and insula regions of the brain as involved in mystical experiences and insights.

Beyond the Intellect:

Spiritual knowing highlights the limitations of purely rational or empirical approaches, as what is known spiritually transcends the causal, spatiotemporal framework of the physical world.

It is easy to mock and disregard this phenomenon, but it happens and is often very accurate. Throughout time, mankind has experienced this and to write it off as a mere psychological distortion is arrogant and foolish. When there is a plethora of anecdotal evidence, that is a when we must step back with the acceptance that all knowledge started someone and not just in a scientific laboratory.