Spiritual Experiences of Seekers in Volume- 1 (An Old and Rare Book)

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Experiences and spiritual experiences

Spirituality is the science of spiritual experiences (anubhuti). So first let us understand the difference between an experience (anubhav) and a spiritual experience.

A. Origin and meaning of the word anubhav meaning experience: The word anubhav (अनुभव) is derived from anu (अनु) and bhav (भव). Anu means similar and bhav means to become. This means blending of one's attitude with the object from which one wishes to obtain an experience.

B. Definition: 'स्मृतिभित्रं ज्ञानम्' means knowledge which is distinct from memory is an experience (anubhav) [Taittiriya Sanhita]. Imagining the taste of a mango and then perceiving it is not an experience but the taste experienced when actually eating the mango is an experience.

C. Types

1. True Experience directly through the sense organs, mind and/or the intellect.

2. False: These types are called doubts (sanshay), illusions (viparyay) and assumptions (tarka). An example of an illusion is viewing a rope as a snake.

D. How does one get an experience? The Yogashåstra of Patanjali opines that an experience is obtained when the attitude of the intellect unites with the object When water from a canal flows into a field it assumes the shape of the field quadrangular, triangular, etc. Similarly the antahkaran (mind) goes out through the channel of the sense organs for some time and blends with the object, thus endowing the experience (anubhav).