Methodist Testimonies

From Trinity United Methodist Church:

"Once I did ask Jesus as my Savior, I remember masks lifting from my eyes as the Holy Spirit allowed me to understand more. All that I read earlier quickly started piecing together like a jigsaw puzzle.
...I asked Jesus to be my Savior in December 1981. It seems like yesterday at times. It is an amazing transformation. To God be the glory! God controls my life because He knows better than I do on how to control it. He gives an indescribable peace and joy! The pressure is off! He guides my life and gave me a permanent ticket to Heaven! It is a privilege to serve him out of love, for that is the only way to serve him!"

-Don Grim's Testimony

From Cambridge Christ United Methodist Church:

"That night while sitting in the first pew of the Old Sanctuary, I said a prayer and submitted everything to Christ’s care and control. I was afraid I would be expected to change all the hurts, habits, and hang-ups I had all at once, but God knows what each of us needs when we need it. Little by little he revealed to me hurts I just let build up over the years, and as I confessed I was powerless to change them by myself my wounds began to heal. I began to live one day at a time by the truth of God’s word, by His promises, seeing the world as Jesus would see it and not as I would. When I allowed Him to, God has made these incredible changes in me and every day I am still changing. Not because of anything I have done, but because of what Jesus Christ has done for all of us."

-Suzanna's Testimony

"I don’t remember a time that I didn’t believe in God but I was 28 years old before I realized my need for a Savior. In October of 1979 I prayed asking Jesus to be my Lord and save my soul...  At that moment I became a new creation, I had been living in the prison of anxiety and fear for nine years and in Jesus Christ found the hope and strength I needed to be healed. It took several years of learning to trust and obey, my Lord has been will me every step of the way. He has given me His peace that passeth all understanding"

-Vickie L.'s Testimony

From a Reddit user's conversion story:

"Then when I got pregnant and gave birth, something happened when I looked at my son and my husband. I can't describe it too well but I felt called to return to church, I felt like God was calling out to me to accept him, to love him, to let go of my pain and my doubts. So my husband and I packed up our son and started going to the local Methodist church. I sat through a couple of services and we talked about baptizing our son, and then I felt this overwhelming urge one night to reach out to the Reverend. I spilled my guts in an email to him. He responded almost immediately and set up a time to meet with me.
Our meetings were incredibly fruitful. We examined my suffering, and my shame, and all my other messy feelings. We confronted them head on. For the first time in my life I cried in front of a fellow human being without me feeling weak or unworthy in the process. I read a lot of books and a lot of scripture, I prayed even when I doubted anyone was there to listen. I threw myself into acts of love and kindness towards anyone and everyone around me, hoping for some peace and grace of my own.
God spoke to me in small ways. Little moments of serendipitous peace. An overwhelming urge to sob and cry during communion (I almost always cry during the Eucharist). I meditated a lot on the plight of Mary and was overwhelmed with love and emotion as I imagined how it felt for her to watch her perfect son be sacrificed and suffer for all of mankind. God also spoke to me in big ways. I was plagued by nightmares before becoming a Christian but once I opened my heart to love and joy, they stopped.
...My life is so much more full, richer, filled with meaning now that I have found God and dedicated myself to practicing what he has laid out for us. My relationships are deeper, I am able to let go more fully and accept and give love as a result. I am a better, happier, more whole and loving person because of God's grace."

-from Reddit post "My story from a NDE as a child, to angry anti-theist, to Methodist Christian", by inwateraway

Rob Hill tells about his call to the ministry.

"Well, I felt a real strong call to ministry.  I really, I can identify a day, an instant, where I really felt like I was being called to serve God in full time ministry...
There was no verbal call.  I didn't have a theophany, as they say, when you hear God's voice.  I had, I don't know what you call, a feeling, and I knew in that instant that I was being called to ministry.  Um, and I went home, and I was so sure about it that it scared me.  And I didn't tell my family for weeks that I... intended to go into ministry, or intended to start on that path towards becoming an ordained United Methodist minister."

-You are Not So Smart Podcast, ep. 48, starting around 31:13

Lutheran Testimonies

From Divine Peace Lutheran Church:

"I came to Divine Peace by chance and at a time in my life when an emotional crisis had taken me as low as I'd ever been. I had been attending another church for some years but had never joined. It just hadn't felt right, didn't feel right, and I was at a point where I needed help.
It was right before Christmas of 2001. I was driving south down 76th street, and it was as if a large hand took hold of my head, made me look at the Divine Peace sign and service times, and said, 'You go there.' And I did.
Churches, some say, have 'a spirit' to them, as soon as I walked through the doors of Divine Peace, it was like coming home. There was a warmth to the church and to the members who welcomed me, a stranger, into their midst. And, if the church was crowded for Christmas Eve service, the ushers made sure I got a seat.
...the warmth I was greeted with at Divine Peace that night literally brought tears to my eyes as I left. I didn't feel alone any longer. I felt part of a larger family, and I've been going back to Divine Peace ever since.
When you're a member of Divine Peace, you are truly a member of a family- God's family, and I feel blessed to have found the comfort and security the fellowship at Divine Peace offers."

-Kim H.'s Testimony

From Central Lutheran Church:

"I thought, 'Well, that's interesting; I thought I was a Christian.'  But had I ever asked God to come into my heart?  No! He was always a part of my days.  But, I can ask God to come into my heart.  So, I prayed the prayer to open the door and let God into my heart...  It was a weird date, but this little prayer really took my faith to a deeper level...  Pretty much anywhere I was, I felt the Holy Spirit move me to reach out and share Jesus with others.  Those were amazing times for me, I had daily devotions, I participated in bible studies, I really felt my walk with the Lord change and grow in more ways than I could have ever imagined.  I found myself praying all the time, jogging on campus, driving to work, dealing with difficult people and being ever so thankful for my family and friends."

-Tina Marie Simmonds' Testimony

Episcopal Testimonies

A call to the ministry, from Episcopal Diocese of Chicago:

"It wasn’t the first time (or the last) that I’d heard the question: 'Ron, did you have an Epiphany?' It was from an old friend, shortly before entering Deacons’ School. I knew what he was alluding to – that sudden, dramatic event like what Paul encountered. I answered as truthfully as I could – 'My life has been a series of Epiphanies.'
...Such was the nature and timing of my call. As I turned my heart to God, to serving Him, there was nothing short of a transformation – a reorienting of some of my deep set values. The call came from a variety of places, starting deep within. Prayer, listening and meditating, study of Scripture, patience, discipline, a feeling of brokenness and humility, all helped prepare me to hear God’s call for my life. Many Scripture verses come to mind, including Deut. 4:29 '...You will find Him if you search after Him with all your heart and soul'.
From the works and writings of Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and C.S.Lewis come a compilation of signs of God’s call which I experienced – peace, joy, tears, a sudden sense of clarity, experiences that seemed to converge and fit together."

-Ron Valentine's call to the ministry, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago

From the book, "Testimonies", by Freddie Powers:

"My parents came back from some type of retreat and they were 'glowing' when they walked in... It had been a weekend retreat that was part of a renewal movement in the Episcopal Church.  I would go to a service with them occassionally when they would have a retreat.  I liked the atmosphere of the meetings, but they were only held once every few months.  Still, there was something about these meetings that seemed 'real,' and I liked it.
When I was 15, I went to one of these retreats for teenagers.  This was an AMAZING experience in my life!  I went, not really knowing much about what the weekend would entail.  It was incredible!  I remember feeling loved unconditionally, tears streaming down my face as a result of the joy I felt inside.  I never wanted this feeling to end.  I knew it was the Holy Spirit touching me and cleansing me.  No one told me what was happening, but I felt better than I ever felt."

-from "Testimonies", by Freddie Powers, p. 30

Seventh Day Adventist Testimonies

"...On the day I was baptized I felt like a whole new person. Since that day, I have been spending more time with the Lord in my everyday life. I am convinced that the decision I made to get baptized was exactly what I needed in my life and I could not be happier. I thank God everyday for all of the wonderful people in my life who have helped me through everything and have supported me through this amazing transition into my new life in Christ."

-Tonya Laufenburg's Testimony

"I am an Adventist because the Bible teaches us that 'If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.' [James1:5 KJV] -I was lacking this wisdom and I asked God and He led me to the Adventist Church."

-from "I am an Adventist because…", by Nasralla Salib
[Unfortunately, this site is no longer functioning]

"I am Adventist because I believe that Adventists follow the Bible more than other religions and I believe that the Bible should be the standard for my life. Also I feel convicted by the Holy Spirit that the Adventist church is the church that God wants me to be a part of."

-from comment on "Why are you an Adventist?", by reddit user Wertley

"Born and raised SDA. I left at age sixteen and came back at age forty five. God led me back to SDA over the course of ten years. It was a slow process of elimination. I was seeking answers and God narrowed the path until there was only one direction to go. SDA teaches directly from scripture, follows the Ten Commandments and is actively aware of and preaches prophecy... There were so many things that led me back to SDA and I have no doubt that God had a hand in it. I had too many events happen in my life that were beyond coincidence. God wanted me here and that's where I'm staying."

-from comment on "Why are you an Adventist?", by reddit user FrethKindheart

"We are told in Matthew 18:20, 'For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' There is a holiness you feel in such a presence that can't be described any other way than God's presence. I've also seen the Holy Spirit in action too many times to count. It's not a physical manifestation, but a spiritual one, in others.
...I have a friend who confided in me the other day about the difficult time she's having. She mentioned she was thinking of going to church because of it. I witnessed to her and gave her instruction on how to pray and ask God for help. She did so and her own prayers were answered.  This is all God, not me."

-from comment on "Have you, as Adventists, had spiritual experiences, answers to prayers, miracles, guidance from God, etc.?", by reddit user FrethKindheart

"[Through] the theological lens of Adventists theology I have come to see God in such a loving way that it never ceases to amaze me. Time and time again I have found myself weeping at the revelation of his love and mesmerized at deeper revelations of his grace. To this day I continue to experience newer and richer insights into the love of God I never thought were there. I have tried to look at God through the lens of other theological glasses but all of them fall short of lifting up Jesus in the same way that true Adventism does."

-from "Why Am I A Seventh-Day Adventist?", by Pomopastor

"One of the reasons why I love being an Adventist is because of the blessings that come from reading the inspired counsel and writings of Ellen G. White.
...Our prophetess is not the first thing I bring up when I talk about the church I love... Ellen White’s writings have made me weep with conviction, pray with utter humility, and study the Bible as never before. In all areas of my life, she reminds me that 'He must increase, and I must decrease.' In a very real way, she has helped Jesus shine brighter in my life."

-from "A Gifted Church (Why I Love Being a Seventh-day Adventist, #3)", by Judy Ramos

Non-Religion Based Spiritual Experiences

These experiences are not explicitly connected to any religion.

"When I started my journey, I read books on all kinds of religions. At one time I was scared to death about things, mostly after I read the bible...
While on my journey, I was asking God what the truth was. I mean I was angry and I truly wanted to know. After a few weeks, I stumbled onto a web site that talked about the very things I was curious about. It answered my questions in a way that I had not heard of before. I read everything on the web site and I even tried the experiment of asking God for His love, His Divine Love. After about 6 weeks, I felt a burning in my chest and a sensation that was unlike anything I had ever felt. It was pure happiness and peace. I knew then that God had sent His love to me...
As I absorbed the information on that site, pondered over it, I knew that Love was the key to heaven. I knew that nothing else mattered but Love. I soon discovered other web sites that also talked of Divine Love and how important it was that we acquire it in our souls. These other sites also describe heaven and how we progress to attain perfection."

-from city-data forum user Reverend1111

"I was just doing some exploring to help me understand what happened to me the other day. I am not a very religious person. I was driving my car the other day just listing to the radio and out of nowhere I got this feeling of total peace in my mind and body then I felt a hand on my shoulder, without even thinking for a split second I said out loud to myself 'I just found God'. I truly believe God was present with me. I felt that hand on my right shoulder for a good few hours. I was so happy relaxed and at peace. At that moment I also had a thought that everything is ok and that I am protected and I didn't have a fear in the world because I now know that God will protect me from all things.  I am just amazed at how this feeling came out of nowhere."

-from Anonymous comment 8 on article, "Feeling God's Presence", on aish.com

"Vauxhall station on a murky November Friday evening is not the setting one would choose for a revelation of God! … The third-class compartment was full. I cannot remember any particular thought processes which may have led up to the great moment. For a few seconds only (I suppose) the whole compartment was filled with light. I felt caught up into some tremendous sense of being within a loving, triumphant and shining purpose … In a few moments the glory had departed — all but one curious, lingering feeling. I loved everybody in that compartment. It sounds silly now, and indeed I blush to write it, but at that moment I think I would have died for any one of the people in that compartment. I seemed to sense the golden worth in them all."

-from "The Common Experience", by John Cohen and Jean-Francis Phillips, quoted on aeon.com

"In learning about transcendental meditation, I found very quickly access to a deeper state of happiness which is very profound and absolute...  What it felt to me was like the disolution of the idea of myself.  I felt like separateness evaporated.  I felt this tremendous sense of oneness.  ...Through meditation, I felt this sort of beautiful serenity and selfless connection.  You know, my tendency toward selfishness- I felt... that exposed as a superficial and pointless perspective to have.  I felt a very relaxed sense of oneness...  I felt love...  Love for myself, but also love for everybody else.  A constant sense of absolute love between all of us.  This for me is a beautiful thing."

-"Russel Brand talks about Transcendental Meditation at Operation Warrior Wellness Launch", starting at 3:20, transcribed from video

"One day I was reading a book on Solitude on computer. It was a fresh morning. I was alone in the house. Slowly...slowly...my mind started to become calm and relaxed & I went in a heightened state of awareness where every thing was seeming one... Everything was connected to everything else. A sort of immense bliss was streaming throughout my entire being. I was feeling extreme love for everyone. My consciousness had become totally radiant and alive. It was great inner silence. Thoughts were there but not so frantic as they were used to be. Everything was seeming so beautiful... So clear... As if I had got a new vision... That I had never experienced it before. It was as if a child looking at the world first time... The fog of ego lifted up and the truth has revealed. It was the experience of total bliss, peace, power, content and much more than I could ever explain. The time had completely stopped for a while. I had a deep feeling... I have always been here for centuries and will always be here... I am home. Everything was just PERFECT as if some kind of mysterious puzzle has got solved.  ...This was first time I knew the meaning of PERFECTION in my life. I was experiencing a sense of vastness or limitlessness. I was feeling that I am God for short time... My body is mere a costume and I am beyond this costume... I am in everyone and everywhere at the same time... Everyone including trees, mountains, people are my projections wearing different costumes. I am endless. First time I was experiencing that... God is not in temple or church... He is not mere in the form of idols. He is in me and everyone and everywhere...that's it. He is formless. I can feel now with deep conviction that I KNOW GOD!
A person who has never eaten a chocolate in his lifetime since birth, how can we explain him in words 'HOW DOES IT TASTE?'...I am in the same situation right now. Only personal experience mere can give a real TASTE.
It was immense joyous state without reason. I wished this state would never end.
...It had immense power to transform my life permanently. Till now though that experience has faded away completely, It has left its traces behind in my soul. It is just an unforgettable day in my life...
...Since that day I changed completely. My outlook has become more positive, less angry, less worried. That experience freed me permanently from past hurts. My nature has become more accepting, loving towards people and situations. Ego fluctuations do come, but do not rise to that peak like before. It loses its grip on me. The ego itself feels powerless. Whenever ego arises my awareness harness it & immediately I find the way to peace and things starts seeming perfect.
I feel compassion and love for everyone whom I was hating before. I try to see the positive side of the people. I do not get upset when people do wrong things. I tell myself "Forgive them, they haven't experienced God. They are behaving from their own level of awareness."
I have become more peaceful, efficient, confident and creative. I appreciate the beauty that surrounds me. I enjoy being myself. I do take care of my SELF and fulfill its needs.
I wish everybody in the world should get at least a glimpse of such experience in their journey. I am very grateful that I have had such experience."

-from spiritual-experiences.com, "Be Still And Know... I Am God", by megh

"I am like the Queen of upclose and personal, direct Divine Revelations.  Only years later did I find out that a group of Christians had labels or names for such things...(I opened a Bible in 2006, don't like religions or groups...I think that's where I came up with the word 'Revelation', even...)  What I took for granted for decades was 'God' opening the Doors of Perception in my Mind/Brain....others called 'Grace' or the 'Holy Spirit'...and they also had that 'look'.... like me....HAPPY, EXCITED, innocently childlike and full of humble wonderment.  Why? Bec we had our socks blown off!!! And 'saw'....our spiritual eyes were opened to Reality!
I sure didn't open them...they were opened...by the Divine, for lack of a better word.
...this is pretty special stuff to speak about...in person I usually well up and get pretty emotional...bec it is obvious....I was/am so blessed.
Mostly bec of these Sacred Experiences and all He blesses me with and because of His Divine Presence He allows me to perceive and bathe in...I adore my Father...I worship Him...

 I have sent you a brief description of one major Divine Visitation.  That is all I will share, there are too, too many.  I will say to you and here...when a person is gifted to receive Divine Insight, it is an automatic by product to 'see' all the religions, no matter the culture, no matter the lingo...all are about This Divine Being, called by many Names.  There are no more boundaries, limitations due to another's beliefs.  You see and now know the Oneness that permeates all creation...  There's no more even caring what others think or believe...bec there is a peace of knowing all is well and perfect and like all the streams that are...we are also going back to our Source, our Creator God...
Our lives are forever changed and we have touched the Joy and Peace that IS the Creator.

...Religions and beliefs mean nothing when you love God within and without you.  The main thing in this life is the intimacy we have with our Father, Source, God.  It places debates and man's limited concepts and drawn lines in perspective for what they are, imo.

...There are too many ridiculous limits humans place on themselves...and thus project onto others....'this is the correct religion, this one is not.  This ritual is pleasing to God, this is not.  God is a Blue Boy with a flute, no He is limitless...  The only way to God is this way, no it is that way.'
When someone gets their socks blown off with a direct up close and personal experience of the Divine Presence....they see God was, is before time before earth, before humans....there are no 'ways' or rituals or beliefs anyone needs to have...just love and acknowledge 'Him' and you will be one connected and happy soul."

-from city-data user Miss Hepburn, posts 14, 35, 37, and 58.  Most ellipses in original.

"On the night of the massacre at the Branch Davidian Compound I was dangerously angry... I decided to meditate on it, hoping I could find some rationale for what had happened.
As I was meditating I felt myself floating... I was in darkness but soon felt the presence of beings around me. Eventually, the light was bright enough that I could see and I found myself in the company of several women of various ages... I found myself in a very large circular room also made of alabaster that opened onto a beautiful landscape of trees, grassland, flowers and a stream. The air was warm and pleasantly scented.
As I stood there in awe of the beauty of the vista I noticed a soft glowing shape beginning to take form... It grew brighter and brighter and I began to feel so much love; a kind of contentment that I have never known in the real world. I began to cry. The light, now formed the general shape of a female, but it was so bright that I could not really look directly at 'her'. I also have to say that the form did not appear solid but swirled and moved like fog only very bright.
She asked me why I had come. Through my tears I said that I did not understand why such terrible things as Waco had to happen, how could mothers allow their children to be killed. The entity then pointed to a statue off to my left that I had not noticed before. It was of a man in the greco-roman style. The stone however was covered with mold and pitted. It looked rotten and ready to crumble. 'Do you see this?' She asked. Before I could answer she stroked the arm of the statue and the mold and rotten parts began to fall away. Soon, the statue looked new and beautiful; then it became flesh, smiled at me and walked down into the trees, out of sight.
'I don't understand.' I said.
'My hand is in all things.' I was told. 'There is nothing that happens that I do not see. There is nothing that exists that is beyond saving.' She then asked me did I understand. I said no, not really. She explained that again that her hand is in ALL things.
...At that, she turned away from me as if to view the scenery and I found myself, with a thump, back in my room. I still could feel the overwhelming love. I was still crying. But, I was not angry anymore... Those are the things I felt. I am not sure if I got the message right."

-from Unexplained Mysteries forum user jaguarsky, post 9

"I had my first spiritual experience when I was 16 years old. I was sitting up late one night having a conversation with my mother about something I can’t remember, when for no apparent reason, the doors of perception opened WIDE. In no time I was swept up in an ocean of ecstasy that seemed infinite. I also experienced many insights that unfolded one after the other.
One of them was very interesting. It became apparent to me that all points in space are exactly the same place. In other words, from the temporarily enlightened perspective I was experiencing that evening, it became obvious that no matter where I went on earth or in the universe, at the deepest level, I would always be in exactly the same place.
At the time, intellectually, I had no idea what this meant. All I knew was that from this state of heightened awareness, what I was perceiving was absolutely true."

-from "The Only Place in the Universe", by Andrew Cohen

"This is my personal experience of the Impersonal that I was so lucky to live when I was in Bali - Indonesia in 1986.
...One morning, I decided to rent a little motorbike to have a look round the island.
From the start of this ride round the island, I was in a meditative frame of mind. It was not a mere ride, but a meditation. I was in a state of deep peace, without cares, without worries of any sort. My spirit was totally calm. I was living for the present moment, here and now.
...The road rolled out in front of me, through ever more magnificent landscapes. I was still chugging along on my old machine at 10 - 15 km/hour when, seemingly for a fraction of a second, everything around me went completely black. The world as I had seen it up to then had totally disappeared. Then, suddenly, I emerged into a Sublime White Light, a new state of consciousness, a new state of being where everything was Perfect Light, Perfect Unity, Perfect Life. Human forms, nature, trees, plants, animals and stones were, in truth, Light. Their shapes were still there but were no longer living by themselves. They were a manifestation of Life and of the Eternal and Universal Light that animates all things.
Everything was now bathed in Perfect Light, Life, Harmony and Unity. And I gradually became aware of the fact that I, too, as a physical body, a human being, was a manifestation and expression of this Life and Infinite Light.
But I was also infinitely more than this mortal body, this little human personality. I was Soul or Divine fragment. I was also this Light, this infinite Life. I was the life of all Lives. I was the other human being, nature, the animal, the tree, the flower, the blade of grass, the grain of sand, the stone, the mountain, the ocean, the stars in the universe, the whole universe and much more besides. I was Infinite, Unlimited.
There were no more thoughts, no more breathing, no more emotions. I was beyond the mind, beyond breathing, beyond emotions, beyond the duality of good and evil, man and woman, darkness and light, beyond life and death. In One's Supreme Self, the Ultimate Reality. In the Absolute Evidence.
I was bathed in a Silence of Unfathomable Depth and Intensity, which is Eternal Eloquence. That Silence taught me without words, by deliciously intense waves of Love and Bliss. It Is Infinite Presence. Perfect Peace. In a Perfect Unity, it made me aware that I am Soul, Infinite, Unlimited, Immortal, Eternal, Indestructible. Eternally and perfectly happy, peaceful and free.
All cares, all thoughts, all worries, all fears and all desires had completely disappeared. The very idea of death no longer existed. The past and future were no more. I also became aware that in this blessed state, I was beyond space and time. I was at once point A and point B and beyond. I was omnipresent. I was eternal.
I was in the eternal present, Here and Now.
...Nowadays, I realise that this body is just a vehicle allowing the Divine Soul, that we all are, to be incarnate in this world, in this space-time, for a short period of time. A garment we put on at birth and which we cast off when it is worn out, in a process we call death.
...All desires had totally disappeared. Love, Happiness, Peace and the perfect, eternal and indestructible Freedom in which I was submerged had no beginning and no end and could not be destroyed, as they are the very nature of Life, one's Divine Self.
I was perfectly satisfied and would have liked to live in that state for all eternity, whatever the physical and human condition. Nothing else mattered any more. I did not have love, happiness, peace and freedom to be taken away or destroyed. I was Love, Happiness, Peace and perfect, eternal and indestructible Freedom.
...As I rode quietly along, I became aware that I was beyond the cycle of reincarnations, the cycle of successive births and deaths. It is impossible to describe with words. Quite simply, I saw and knew it in the deepest part of my being."

-from "A Personal Spiritual Experience", by spiritual-experiences.com user alainbadan

"Several Weeks ago I had the most profound experience of my life!
..I've questioned since the age of 6; who am I, why are we here, what are we really, why the planets, extra, extra. I've always known that I am something other, something different then this human body.
..I started a journey, I was guided to read Law of Attraction again, each book gave me different learnings & aspects, I dug deep within my soul to release unwanted attachments I've built up throughout the years. I asked questions to the universe & it kindly gave me all the answers within minutes or the next day, SMACK BANG in front of me! That alone was awesome in itself.
...Leading up to the night of my experience I had the most powerful feeling from the pit of my stomach, my explaining is pure energy that wanted to burst out of me! I couldn't explain it any other way.
...In bed, lights off, TV on and mobile in hand, messaging my sister in-law, I remember saying I'm going to burst in a minute with this energy surging through me.
...Instantly I felt this energy rise from my belly, as this was happening I heard a voice say 'Let Go' and 'This is what I meant to be doing' talking, sharing, teaching, coaching what was about to happen to me. This energy traveled all the way from my belly up my spine and came out from the top of my head, this all happened very quickly and their I was looking down at my body, as well as seeing everything else in that room, but also a part of the room, the walls, windows, bed, TV, duvet, I knew I was a part of this body but I was not my body.
I was no longer this body I thought to be true, I was & am this pure loving energy immersed with oneness the source, the universe, energy, God, so many names and so many labels, it all points to the same thing.
...The feelings are truly incredible nothing that the human mind or our senses could understand in an intellectual way, be blessed that you have these 5 main senses as well as our thinking our thoughts!
...I instantly saw right in front of me who we truly are, I saw the divided split, on one side the self the other who we truly are, this pure loving, blissful powerful energy, the essence of what we are.
When I say self I mean everything we think to be true, our character, characteristic's, our past, experiences, future, beliefs, likes, dislikes, desires, EVERYTHING! The self as I knew it to be Kerry had shattered into a million pieces, what was left is our true essence.
...The first few days was a massive shift for me, all my attachments, likes, dislikes, longings, desires, dreams, fears all vanished gone! It was only until someone said, pointed out that I didn't like something or it used to piss me off that I would remember I didn't, or I read something or watched a film I would remember I didn't like that or I had a fear around something.
To this day I still have rememberings of things I like and dislike pop up, fears, things that scared me, it's truly amazing when this happens as I'm stilling their trying to get these raw feelings how I used to think and feel about them.
I fear nothing, I'm scared of nothing.
...It's now been several weeks since my experience, every day I learn more insights about life, I have massive downloads of more knowledge and wisdom about my life and of others and of the world, the most profound thing, I now have this permanent knowing feeling, for you the easiest way to explain is that gut feeling, for me its permanently on all the time, I can feel people's energy, I can see peoples lessons in life, their directions, each day this awesome understanding grows and grows."

-from "My Spiritual Awakening - Life~ What This Means Now", by Kerry Mears

Spiritual Experiences in Judaism

Graham Ledgerwood interviews Rabbi David Eliezrie, a Hasidic Rabbi, about spiritual experiences, as well as Shekinah, or the Presence of God.  This interview comes from SpiritualWorld.org.

"When a Hasid directs the emotion in the prayer, what happens then?" I asked.
"Then a person reaches a certain level of spiritual ecstasy and opens himself up spiritually. He has thought about godliness; he has thought about spirituality; he has thought about the things that God accomplished in the world; then he focuses his prayer on the greatness of God, the spirituality of God. Then he comes out of the prayer with a tremendous feeling of upliftedness," the Rabbi explained.
"Could you give me some examples of states or characteristics which occur in this ecstasy and upliftedness?"
"Characteristics…." He thought a moment. "I think, mainly, there is an awe-ness of God. I think it is a realization by a person of what is important and what is secondary... You develop a proper sense of priorities. You realize what is primary, what is important and what is not important. You have the realization that the essence of this world is really spiritual and that the physical only hides the true qualities of the world."
...
"My dictionary says Shekinah is: ‘the manifestation of the presence of God; or Divine Presence.' Would you agree with this definition?"
"Yes," he agreed, "basically, Shekinah is the manifestation in the physical world of the Divine Presence."
"If I were to come into your place of worship, would I see a physical object? Is Shekinah a physical object?"
"There were times when Shekinah was physically present in the world," the Rabbi spoke thoughtfully. "When the temple was in existence. And, today, when people get together and study the Torah, Shekinah is present. Shekinah can be brought about when the temple is here or when ten or more Jews get together and study the Torah. Or, when people are together in a holy act. When people fulfill a mitzvah, Shekinah can be present."
"What I’m trying to understand," I explained, "is does Shekinah have any form whatever?"
"No form. It’s a holy, spiritual force."
..."What is that like," I asked, "when you study the Torah and Shekinah comes?"
"There are times when people feel in themselves a spiritual sensitivity and holiness — Shekinah is the Presence of God," he answered.
"This Presence, when people are sitting together reading the Torah or doing a holy act, does the Presence occur within them, or does everyone in the room feel it?"
"That depends," he said. "It depends on their sensitivity. For instance, you can be willing to give somebody something but they may not be able to accept it. God is present but not all may be sensitive enough to feel the Divine Presence."
"How, then, can one become sensitive to Shekinah?"
"You become sensitive through learning, praying, and going through a period of spiritual development. Spiritual development in our religion primarily relates to prayer," he said.

-from SpiritualWorld.org, "Hasidic Judaism"

Graham Ledgerwood interviews Rabbi Frank Stern about spirituality in Judaism.  Rabbi Stern was careful to note that his comments do not necessarily reflect the feelings of all Jews.  The interview comes from SpiritualWorld.org.

"I think that there are many ways of experiencing God...
Spiritual experience has to somehow create differences in your behavior, have an effect on the way you live.
...I think the experience of God is a very distinct and concrete experience. Yes, it’s something you can sense that happens to you, and it’s even something you could attempt to talk about...
I personally had experiences where I felt the presence of God. I know members of my family have had those experiences. We have an adult education study program where just a week ago the whole theme of the get-together was personal experiences of God and how a person can share these experiences with others. There were thirty people attending the discussion and I was amazed that not one of them said they had not had these special kinds of experiences. Every single person there had some kind of personal experience of God — of different sorts and different natures. But not all of them translated their experiences in the same vocabulary: ‘I felt the presence of God’ or ‘Some special course opened in my life. I felt the Divine Presence,’ or ecstasy, or whatever it might be.
...I think ecstasy is one of those attributes of the experience, or one of the consequences of the experience...  I think the heightened awareness of abilities, skills, potentials, that exist within persons is one of the consequences. I think often a new sense of priorities and values is a consequence. Very frequently a person’s life direction is changed from such an experience, and he begins to do things he wasn’t doing previously — or he re-focuses his life.
There is a kind of consciousness of being chosen, of being special in some regard, also. There’s a sense of awe and wonder, too. There’s a sense of purposefulness in terms of the order and harmony of the universe, usually. Perhaps there is also a sense of special relatedness between yourself and other people — and other things.
But, yet, when you begin to tear it apart this way, all of these are but parts of the same experience.
...Feeling the presence of God or experiencing God in some way pushes you onward — whatever that push is."

-from SpiritualWorld.org, "Judaism"

An spiritual experience in Jerusalem:

"I had an intense spiritual experience when I touched the western wall in Jerusalem. I was overcome by the desire to pray and I blurted out everything I could remember. (This was before I became observant.) I also closed my eyes and felt like I was one with the wall, and simultaneously like I was flying. It is something I often remind myself of when I have doubts or I am struggling."

-from reddit user Future Mrs. Orthodonk

Muslim Conversion Stories

These Muslim conversion experiences are gathered from around the web.  I've linked to sources with each quote.

"During my clean up I found my old Qur'an in Arabic that I had bought while I was a student at Rabat. I had bought it as a study guide to help me learn to read Arabic.
It had been many years since I had last read anything in Arabic. I was curious as to if I could still read it. I opened it to Surah Fatiha and the first line literally jumped out at me.
Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem. 'In the name of Allaah, the provider, the Most merciful'
It was like the words glowed and completely filled me with an inner peace I never felt before.  I turned back to the preface and saw it was the supplication:
'Auzu Billahi Mina Al Shaytan Al Rajeem'.
(In Allaah(swt) I seek refuge from the evils of Satan)
After over 20 years of not speaking Arabic it all flowed back to me. I could not stop reading and I was not simply reading words, the feeling of each ayyat came upon me with an indescribable warmth and sense of understanding. I could not stop. I do not know how long I read I know it was for at least 48 hours and I still could not stop the feeling was so powerful and filling me with a strong sense of love and joy on the morning of what I believe was the 3rd day I finally set the Qur'an down and knew I was Muslim. I instantly said the Shahadah and knew I was now part of the Ummah."

-from city-data forum user Woodrow LI

"...I was finally discouraged, and decided to look into other faiths. I examined Catholicism, Buddhism, and even Native American Spirituality, and I was getting nowhere. I finally decided that I would just believe my own beliefs of a supreme and omnipotent God, and go my own way.
I never even considered Islam until I met the man who was to later become my husband. I had previously always dismissed Islam as a violent religion, full of bloodshed, 'holy wars', and men who abused and oppressed women!
...As the months went by, and as I studied more and more in depth about Islam, my conviction began to grow steadily that this was the true religion. It was so close in many ways to what I already believed!
Then one day at a weekly women’s lesson on Islam that I had been attending, (even though I wasn’t a Muslim yet), one of the sisters was reading a verse of the Qur’an that really affected me. It was about the Jews and their questioning of God’s commands in sacrificing the heifer in Al-Baqarah.
This verse suddenly affected me so much that, much to my embarrassment, I began to cry in the middle of the lesson. The sister who was reading comforted me by saying that the Qur’an – the Word of Allaah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) – often affects people this way.
That evening at home, as I was preparing for bed, I went through my usual routine of opening the Holy Qur’an at random and asking Allaah to select a passage for me to read. The verse that my eyes fell on as I opened the book read as follows: 'And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, you will see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth. They pray: ‘Our Lord! We believe; write us down among the witnesses. What cause can we have not to believe in Allah and the truth which has come to us, seeing as we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of the righteous?’ And for this, their prayer has Allah rewarded them with Gardens, with rivers flowing underneath – their eternal Home. Such is the recompense of those who do good.' (5:83-85)
This was the final message to me from Allaah for me to revert to Islam! I was speechless. He (Allah) spoke to me through the glorious Qur’an. He showed me the straight path – the truth. I said Shahada (Testimony of faith) shortly after that. Shahada was a homecoming for me – I felt that my soul had been set free.
...To this day, and always, it warms my heart and soul to go to a gathering of my sisters and brothers in Islam and hear the quiet murmuring of 'Assalaamu Alaikum', and see the warm smiles, hugs and handshakes, and the welcoming outstretched arms of my Ummah (community)! I will never stop thanking Allaah for guiding me to the light of Islam."

-from islamweb.net, "Carol: I considered Judaism but chose Islam"

"When I was 19 years old, I was sitting in my house, up late, talking to a friend, and he had just become Muslim.  And so I asked him, what is Islam?  Like, I've heard all these things.  And he started to tell me, and it was the most amazing conversation that I think, still to this day, that I ever had.  Something inside of me made me feel good.  It was like a light, I felt like.  And it was like, I was being told the truth.  And it was hard to explain, but it was amazing."

-transcribed from video, "USA: Matt's Reverts to Islam New Muslim Brother Takes Shahada", starting at 1:00

"I grew up in Dutch family with Christianity...  I've always believed in God, but always been searching for the right faith and sought in all religions except Islam. Islam, I found an unjust faith by what I saw and heard (I have my Moroccan family never taught about Islam). I always went to church but my heart always told me that something was wrong.
...I was deeply unhappy. I said to God: 'Please point me the way!'
A few months later, I ...came into contact with Islam. I was convinced that Islam is the right religion and felt the light was burning in my heart. I wanted to talk to God but I had trouble keeping his name on my lips to get and talk to him. I felt him as if he said to me, "but it is good to talk to Me." I finally got it and I thought it was a great feeling. I often spoke to God and He answered me in my dreams.
...Now I understand the truth, Islam is complete and very beautiful.
...Gradually I began to have doubts about this way of holy faith, but did believe in Allah.
...Quran spoke to me more and I was very surprised and shocked. Yet still I hesitated and he asked, 'what does your head and what does your heart.' I said, 'my head says no but my heart says yes it's true.'  ...I was very confused and cried to God: 'Please God let me not go astray I want to continue on your way, what do I believe it!'
...That night I had a dream from Allah. He said to me: 'I bring you a new heart, a heart that is pure'. And the next day while I was awake ...Allah gave me the feeling, 'here you do not be afraid of you not coming in'.
...I soon began to pray in the pure way, and since then I was better in my possession. I felt so light and happy...  It is impossible to describe what a feeling I had while, so natural and free. I was very surprised how many people have lost the way of Allah."

-from freeminds.org, "My story about my conversion to Islam", by Amazigh

"Many of my questions were answered! What is the purpose of life? How can the Father be the Son? Why can't God just forgive anyone He wants? What happens to babies who die before baptism?
In Quran 5:83, Allah states: 'And when they (who call themselves Christian) listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. They say: 'Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses.''
Indeed, my eyes overflowed with tears as I read that verse. Yet I did not embrace Islam until three years after meeting Armando, because I did not want to change. A struggle occurs within everyone, everyday, and everywhere. We struggle to attain what is most important for us. By embracing Islam, we tell Allah that He is the most important and that we are prepared to struggle to do what is right and to avoid what is wrong. I am a Mexican-American Muslim."

-from islamicity.com, "How Allah Found Me in Texas", by Juan Galvan

"One day, there was a brother in class... He presented his religion, which was Islam.  And the way he did it, his character, it just touched my heart.  ...He told me, 'Are you going to convert to any religion?'  So, I said, yeah, I might convert to Islam...  I had no clue why I said that, but I said it, and Allah opened my heart at that time.
...I started researching about the religion...  Something told me in my heart, 'Go to the mosque.  Go to the mosque.'  So, I took my bike, I started riding to the mosque.  So I go in...  I say, 'Can I speak to the imam?'
...He comes, he grabs me by the hand, he holds my hand.  As soon as he held my hand I started feeling this love, you know, like, growing in my heart...  And then, when I walked inside the mosque, the enviroment, I can't explain it...  I went to his desk, to his room, and he sat me down.  He told me, 'What religion are you from?'  ...After two minutes, I started crying.  Crying, crying, crying.  I couldn't stop crying...  So, like, we had to cancel the appointment because I couldn't talk.
...I started listening to Surah Fatihah and all, and it started touching my heart...  I went to the mosque, I started following the prayer with the people.  I was still Christian, but I was still following the people...  My heart was at peace.
...So, I went to the mosque.  I stayed there all day...  At the end, I was sure I wanted to convert.  So, I took my Shahadah the same day, now I'm a Muslim.

-transcribed from video, Zakariah's Conversion, starting about 0:55

"ALLAH Saved My Life!
Throughout my life I studied many different religions and couldn't find the real meaning to any of them. I felt so lost! Then in the mist of my despair, I found a friend that understood what I was feeling. We talked for awhile. After crying like a baby 'cause I felt so alone, he told me to repeat what he said.
'Alright,' I said  - wiping the tears out of my eyes.
    Bismilla -ir- Rahman -ir- Raheem
As I began repeating what he said I started feeling a warm comfortable feeling. 'Like you do when your mom or dad holds you when your scared'. After we were done he asked me if I knew what we just said.
'No,' I replied.
It was the Surah Fatihah.
'Now you're a Muslim.' he said."

-from the Experience Project, "ALLAH Saved My Life!", by NewWorldConcept

"I had never in my life heard of The Holy Qur'an. I began to briefly read some pages. While I was reading I knew that what I was reading was true. It was like a slap in the face, a wake up call. The Qur'an is so clear and easy to understand. I was really impressed and wanted to know more about Islam and Muslims.
...After months of study and research I could not deny the truth anymore. I had put it off too long, but was still living the life I had before, and knew that if I became a Muslim I had to give all that up. One day while reading the Qur'an, I began to cry and fell to my knees and thanked Allah for guiding me to the truth. I found out that there was a Mosque by my house so I went one Friday to see how Muslims prayed and conducted their service... A man got up and began to call the Adthan (call for prayer). When I heard it my eyes filled up with tears because it sounded so beautiful. It was all so strange at first, but seemed so right at the same time. Islam is not just a religion but a way of life.
After going a couple of Fridays I was ready to be a Muslim and say my Shahada (declaration of faith). I told the Khatib (person giving the lecture) that I wanted to be a Muslim. The following Friday in front of the community I said my Shahada first in Arabic and then in English: I bear witness that there is no other God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammed (P.B.U.H) is His Messenger."

-from a testimony on thepeopleofthebook.com

"It is difficult to describe to someone who has never felt it how Islam can change and improve one's life. But Islam changed me totally. I now have no doubt about our purpose in this world and that I am following the right path, I have a certainty I never knew before, and a peace that goes with it. God's plan makes much more sense to me and I feel I have an idea where I belong."

-from islamtomorrow.com, "My Journey to Islam", by D. Beatty

"[A Muslim friend] found a good translation of the meaning of the Qur'an for me to read, which I did. I still remember sitting alone, reading it, looking for errors, and questioning. The more I read, the more I became convinced that this book could only have one source, God. I was reading about God's mercy and His willingness to forgive any sin, except the sin of associating partners with Him; and I began to weep. I cried from the depth of my soul. I cried for my past ignorance and in joy of finally finding the truth. I knew that I was forever changed...  Once I was sure that this book was truly from God, I decided that I had to accept Islam as my religion. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is."

-from islamtomorrow.com, Erin/Sumaya Fannoun's conversion story

"Before going to sleep that night, my son told me to pray to God before going to sleep and ask Him alone to guide me to the right path. I promised my son that I would sincerely supplicate to God for the answer. I went to my room and read from the book my son had given me. Next, I opened the Holy Quran and began to read. It was if something had been lifted from my heart. I felt different. I saw the truth in Islam. What had I been fighting against all these years?
That night I prayed to God alone–not to Jesus, not to Mary, not to the angels or saints or holy spirit. Just to God I cried and asked for guidance. I prayed that if Islam was the right choice to please change my heart and mind. I went to sleep and the next morning I woke up and announced to my son that I was ready to accept Islam. He was astonished. We both began to cry."

-from The Islamic Bulletin, "MY INCREDIBLE DISCOVERY OF ISLAM", by Carla

"I went back my dorm room and considered the facts. Could I deny what I now perceived to be the truth? Could I deny what I had read, what I had seen, what I had heard, and what I had felt? Hadn't I been crying, desperately, on my dorm room floor only yesterday, pleading for guidance, imploring God for help? Islam came and confirmed what I had already thought to be true. I learned that it was the continuation of Judaism and Christianity, sent by the same God, the One and only true God, the God of Adam and Eve, of Noah, of Moses, of Jesus. Yes, these are all revered prophets of Islam. Islam simply means submitting to the will of God. The whole universe is in total submission to God, but human beings are unique in that they are free to accept or reject divine guidance. If we accept, it is for the benefit of our soul, and if we reject, it is to our own detriment.
So, while I had never considered myself religious before, I became so in that instant- the instant that I could no longer deny the facts. I submitted my whole self to God."

-from The Islamic Bulletin, "How I Struck Gold - my conversion story", by K. Sherman

Hindu Spiritual Experiences

A description of the way Hindus communicate with God.  This article comes from HinduNet.org.

"The temple is built as a palace in which the Gods live. It is the home of the Gods, a sacred place unlike every other place on the earth. The Hindu must associate himself with these Gods in a very sensitive way when he approaches the temple. Though the devotee rarely has the psychic vision of the Deity, he is aware of the God's divine presence. As he approaches the sanctum sanctorum, the Hindu is fully aware that an intelligent being, greater and more evolved than himself, is there. This God is intently aware of him, safeguarding him, fully knowing his inmost thought, fully capable of coping with any situation the devotee may mentally lay at his Holy Feet. It is important that we approach the Deity in this way - conscious and confident that our needs are known in the inner spiritual worlds.
...You can feel the presence of these divine beings, and this radiation from them is known as shakti.
... Perhaps not immediately, but the message that the shakti carries from the Mahadeva manifests in your life.  This is the way the Gods converse. It is a communication more real than the communication of language that you experience each day."

-from "Communicating with God and the Gods" on HinduNet.org

Another spiritual experience:

"But, somewhere in the midst of all this, I started feeling there must be more to life than what I was experiencing...
I learned to meditate as soon as possible, and this initiation opened my doorway to spirituality. Subsequently, I devoted most of my adult life to the pursuit of spiritual growth and ultimate awakening.
Some months later, I met Maharishi at a retreat in northern California. As he entered the meeting hall, I gave him a flower, as was the custom in that gathering. He looked into my eyes deeply for a moment, and I experienced a feeling of peace and love unlike anything I had ever experienced before."

-from Bob Bishop on AllAwaken.net

These two blog entries by Susan Ferguson discuss spiritual experiences she had while reading the Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu texts.

"My relationship with the Bhagavad Gita goes back to the 1960s and throughout my life I read the Bhagavad Gita and attempted to grasp its subtle meaning. Each reading of these powerful words always left me feeling somehow lifted, my consciousness purified. However, I did not truly understand. Still I knew an invaluable treasure lay within this book and I was not to be discouraged. I would stubbornly say, 'Someday, I will understand this.' I am now 60.
...I remember so well those hot summer days in 2004 reading on the screen-porch in the dappled shade of cedars, maples, and pine trees. Day after day I would listen with my heart to Krishna’s words of wisdom to his friend Arjuna, and I would cry and cry and cry the sweetest tears. Tears come easily when you feel the presence of God. I felt as if I were being given the eyes-to-see and the ears-to-hear. Even now when I think of that time, tears can pool in my eyes and my heart is filled with joy and gratitude. Krishna is my guru!
It is in the spirit of a deeply sincere humility and out of a love that can never be described or expressed that I set out here to share with you my understanding of this remarkable and magnificent text.
...We all have God dwelling within our Heart. We can realize that God not only dwells within us, but within everything. God is ALL!"

-from "My reverence & deep respect for the Bhagavad Gita", by Susan Ferguson

"Of all the books I have read, none changed my consciousness as powerfully as the Bhagavad Gita. I was reading J.A.B van Buitenen’s translation when my heart and mind first truly opened to this timeless book of verse, for the Bhagavad Gita is a Sanskrit poem. That fine warm summer’s day when at last Krishna’s words began to have real meaning for me, I cried and cried and cried. Even now sometimes when I read a verse, the sweetest tears pool up in my eyes and I am overwhelmed with awe, love, and gratitude."

-from "My Personal Journey", by Susan Ferguson

Spiritual-experiences.com user Saravananp shares a life changing vision:

"I am a hindu. Living in india.
...But after a loss of my pet, it was shocking and I was mentally affected. 2 weeks later another 2 kittens died. I can't explain how terrible it was.
I was helpless and I can't do anything to stop its death. I searched internet to know what death is all about. Then I stumbled upon on near death experience.
...I started reading those NDE experiences, suddenly a world in front of me disappeared. There was no body around me at all. All I see is a vision, at first there is only void empty blackness around me. Here I don't feel any fear. I was totally in other dimension. I still have the awareness of me without my body at all. Suddenly I started moving (not moving but void emptiness vanishing slowly) towards a beautiful light. The light is so beautiful you can't see those light on this earth. Light I saw was changing very slowly from golden brownish, then orange to greenish blue yellow hues so on. Mixture of all colours and hues I see. Nearest possible explanation about light I saw is this. Real beauty can only be experienced when you feel it. It was so beautiful to look at. And I also heard a beautiful sound which is more like angels howling in chorus or may be it is sound of 'OM'. It was so pleasant to hear it.
Suddenly I could feel presence of others around me. There were other like me in this beautiful dimension. It was like heavenly. I could feel other being like me in this dimension surrounded by beautiful light and sound. I feel some being next to me. Suddenly a wave of intense happiness or may be bliss or extreme happiness covered my being. I never felt those happiness ever before in my life here on earth. Remember there was no body of mine but only the feeling of "I" and vision. I could see without my eyes and I could hear without ears. There were no thoughts in me but only this vision. No thoughts, no earth but only heavenly light and sounds and heaven beings like me. I really don't know why those happiness surrounded me. Whether it came from other beings around me in this beautiful dimension or it came from god itself.
Then suddenly this beautiful vision vanished. Then world in front of me reappeared again. I mean I regained this world. Tears came down my cheeks. I felt very emotional. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME PASSED. Maby few seconds or maby be few minutes. Actually, I felt no time at all in this heavenly beautiful dimension. The dimension I saw in my vision may be belong to some eternity and infinity. Time simply stopped. The heavenly vision I saw was like a flash. I can explain lot, better way to understand my experience is by experiencing yourself.
Now I feel that those 3 kittens which came to me were god himself to awake me from ignorance.
...This incidence totally changed me. A life changing experience. Where ever I see a animals, like cat, dog, squirrels, birds etc I wish them to live longer and attain salvation, mukthi as soon as possible. I summon god, I request god with love to give them salvation as soon as possible. I believe only unconditional love can bring me towards god.
After the that heavenly vision I feel everything is ok. Just fine. One day I will go to the same place I saw in vision. I will meet those my lovable kittens and we will be in bliss eternally with love and love alone. We loved ones will be absorbed in this heavenly dimension and remain in eternal bliss. Now I believe there is no death at all. Only our body dies not our awareness (self or being).
...God is not limited to particular religion he is for all. God is something more than what our church or hindu religion thought us."

-from "A Beautiful Heavenly Light And Life Changing Experience", by spiritual-experiences.com user saravananp

Taoist Experience

A reddit user shares an experience from reading about Taoism.

"...I pick up Alan Watts' What is Tao. I have been dabbling in Taoism recently to see if it could help me with my life. And reading his book I read about Wu Wei and Te. And it just made sense to me. I dont even know if I am getting the actual meaning, and I dont care. Just be yourself. Dont force it. Dont be self conscious. These kind of things clicked within me. They may be things we have heard all our lives, but I truly internalized it. Truly understanding what 'easy does it' and 'just be yourself' are all about. And for the first time, I feel happy. True happiness is overwhelming me right now, and I feel like I had to share this with you all."

-from reddit user BAtrogit

More Christian Spiritual Experiences

Christians describe the presence of the Holy Spirit.

"A few evenings later I had just finished my bible study and I was sitting on the side of my bed. I was still searching with my spirit man, listening to the sounds of the evening and trying to understand where is God. I would question with my mind... God where are you? Jesus where are you? Holy Spirit where are you? Not even 3 minutes had passed when I experienced a person right in front of me. Though my eyes were tightly shut I could clearly feel His form. I opened my eyes but could not see anything. I closed my eyes again and yes... He was real... more real than anything I could see with my eyes open. I closed my eyes and very gently this Person came inside me and filled me with tingling sensations from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I could feel His presence inside me and all around me and just knew that it was the Holy Spirit. I was startled to be honest. Can this really be happening to me? Before the minute was up I could sense His presence no more but was left in awe of what had just happened.
That very next day... I had again just finished my bible study and I was just sitting still with my back against the headboard of my bed and being mindful, pondering on His greatness, His awesomeness, His splendour, when again I felt this presence of a Person before me. Very powerfully this Presence entered my body. My stomach muscles tightened for what seemed like a minute with all the power they had to squeeze me and a most awesome feeling of excitement, electricity, tingling sensations flooded by whole body from end to end. These sensations would last for about 20 minutes and before I knew it, I heard a small still voice in my mind say 'And here He comes again'. For the next 2 hours I was filled again and again and again with what seemed like waves of His presence entering me. Finally just before midnight I could relax and fall asleep.
For the next 4 months I would once a week receive these waves of infilling and my stomach muscles would tighten each time. Now I am more relaxed and become 'SUDDENLY' more aware of His awesome presence and then know something good is going to happen. My hands & feet go numb when I bask in His presence. Other times it feels like lightening bolts coming out of my hands. If I lie on my bed & I think about nothing - I experience ... nothing, but interestingly, the second I put my thoughts on God and on His awesomenss I immediately become aware of His presence more so than normal.
...There is not a day that goes by when I do not feel His presence. I awake in His presence and go to sleep in His presence. He never leaves me and at times I become very powerfully aware that he wants to use me as His instrument and for His glory."

-Testimony from Christian Board user B-holy

"One day while just looking out side, I noticed a cloud coming down. I was not real sure what I was seeing, then I felt that awesome power of God all over my body. I did good just to grab the door to keep my knees from buckling. I was in awe at the love and power that was filling me.
Later on... I had been praising God with someone waiting on a ambulance, I suddenly felt that anointing all over and the person was healed right there.
I don't experience that awesome power like some seem to do at every church service, but I can feel the presence of the anointing of God. I have come to learn though, we filled with the Holy Ghost and stay in prayer, faith, and God's will are constantly radiating God's anointing. We get use to it, and we are more anointed than we think. Many times others have said that they saw a glow around me, other said they feel the power of God radiating off me, and I don't notice a thing."

-Testimony from Christian Board user Brother Mike

"After 4 months of being 'soaked' in His Presence I awoke the one morning to find that I had no awareness of Him at all. All those feelings, all the awareness I had of His Presence were gone... I would sing a song, synchronise my breathing, pray a religious prayer, get on my knees (normally I just lie in bed praying - its more comfortable) and despite all my efforts the awareness of His Presence seemed to have disappeared with the going down of the sun.
...I felt different. I felt normal, as if God had left me. I was depressed, upset... I wanted Him so badly. Again I tried some religious stunts like read my bible, wait quietly for Him... My heart was grieved... God did not want to talk to me.
...I had had enough. I cried out to the Lord. 'Please do not tease me. You have blessed me with your presence all these days, show me my faults that I may walk in the awareness of your presence again. Speak to my heart to my mind and let me know.'
From out of no-where my mind seemed to talk back to me. I could hear my own voice talking in my mind but knew that the origin of that voice was from God and His answer was... 'The anointing does not come from your works . If I choose to anoint you I will'
In that moment I answered God - 'Lord have it your way... I am going to stop all my tactics to force your anointing on me, in future I will trust You, I will believe by faith just like everyone else, and if You should choose to anoint me with your Presence then so be it.' No sooner had I said that prayer when the awareness of His Presence returned as though someone turned the tap on and praise God He is never taken it away."

-Testimony from Christian Board user B-holy

"Because of the way I grew up, I attended many different churches. Some of these churches I was afraid to enter and remain in for very long. Because there were times when I actually felt the temperature drop, even in the summertime, and I felt terrified.
After I grew up and got married, I was visiting one of my neighbors one day. She proceeded to tell me that her husband, who had passed away, had been appearing to her. As she was telling me this, the temperature in the room dropped to the point that I had chills; it was summertime and her house had been quite warm before this. She asked me, "Do you feel that?" I said, "Yes, I do".
Needless to say, these were not good feelings I was having at that point, I actually felt evil around us. I told her that we should pray and I started praying for help and protection from this evil that we were feeling. As I was praying, the coldness dissipated and I felt warmth instead; this warmth felt good, protective and reassuring.
So in my experience, when one feels afraid, this is not the holy spirit, quite the opposite. It is not a good spirit that is present. But when there is warmth and good feelings, and feeling protected, this is holy spirit. I have felt holy spirit when I pray and I have felt it even stronger when I am in a group of people who are praying. This isn't the only time I have felt the holy spirit but just an example."

-"My Recent Holy Spirit Transformation, Baptism, Infilling" by Spiritual-Experiences.com user scarlett2