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Path: utzoo!laura
From: laura@utzoo.UUCP (Laura Creighton)
Newsgroups: net.religion,net.religion.christian
Subject: Re: what does it mean to talk to God [a brief attempt at an answer]
Message-ID: <5264@utzoo.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 16-Mar-85 17:18:23 EST
Article-I.D.: utzoo.5264
Posted: Sat Mar 16 17:18:23 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Mar-85 17:18:23 EST
References: <893@topaz.ARPA> <2635@mcnc.UUCP> <> <366@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP>, <680@pyuxd.UUCP> <5227@utzoo.UUCPRe: what does it mean to talSat, 16-Mar-85 17:18:23 EST
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
Lines: 19
Keywords: Personal experience

Ah, but I *have* studied what ``talking with God'' -- or having religious
experiences of any sort -- is supposed to do to you. The interesting thing
is that there is tremendous agreement over what sorts of things happen - no
matter what tradition you are dealing with. This is why, by and large,
mystics of all religions can get together and discuss what is going on.
Often the mystics have more trouble with their own religious community.

This bit of ecumanism is one reason why the eastern religions are very
interested in being considered religions. Some western mystics have
real difficulty with non-certified religions. I know some Christian
mystics who are much more uncomfortable with Gnosticism than with
Sufism or Buddhism, and I think that in part this is because they can
say ``oh, that is a religion, therefore it is okay''. 

The ``p'' looks like a very good nose on the terminal I have at work.
Alas, it looks crummy here at home, though. Another idea bites the dust!

Laura Creighton
utzoo!laura