Last Updated 3.23.26. Please note that references to Universe College below do not mention that it is undergoing an evaluation and upgrading process.

Prologue

Promoting direct spiritual experience over tons of dogma and beliefs is a primary characteristic of this website. This page will take you deeper into what direct spiritual experience is. 

• • What People Really Want from Their Direct Spiritual Experience is Defined
    
    
  • What Does Direct Spiritual Experience Produce
    
    
  • Ecstatic Experiences and Direct Spiritual Experience
    
    
  • How to Achieve Transformative Direct Personal Spiritual Experiences

Introduction:

(Special Note: If you have not read the definition of Ultimate Reality and spiritual, please do so now, as it is critical to understanding and achieving direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality.)  Seeing the direct experience of Ultimate Reality is also what we consider the highest spiritual level of Universe Spirituality (AKA Evolution Spirituality), as it is the most challenging to attain. 

The essence of religion is spirituality, and the essence and great adventure of spirituality is the direct, personal spiritual experience of the Ultimate Reality. It is estimated that only about 1 in 10 people who call themselves religious or spiritual ever attain a direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality. Therefore, clearly understanding what direct personal spiritual experience is and is not, and how to achieve it, is crucial to one’s spiritual life. If you have not read the following new and nuanced definition we use for Ultimate Reality in Universe Spirituality, please do so now, as it is critical to understanding our spiritual materials from this initial definitional perspective.

It should also be understood that direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality is not a final state achieved all at once. It is an evolving and deepening state that usually has a large effect the first time it is achieved, and then, over time, continues to deepen, broaden, and expand. 

The  Universe Spirituality movement deeply values the great adventure of direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality. It is one of the most important achievements in life, and this movement offers detailed information and support for the many paths to it.

The rather unique initial path that Universe Spirituality promotes for achieving the direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality is through understanding the universe's progressive evolution and our current science of its "Big History," as found within the New Universe Worldview. The Universe Spirit organization (this website) also offers detailed information and support for many other safe, traditional, and mystical paths to direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality, both in its online materials and in future Universe College courses. (More details on both will be provided later on this page.)

What People Really Want from their Faith, Direct Spiritual Experience Defined

In polls on religion and spirituality conducted by Newsweek magazine, it was found that 75 percent of all individuals considering themselves religious were earnestly looking for:

1. 1. personal ecstatic experiences of the Ultimate Reality or Great Mystery (no matter what you call it),
   2. an experience of personal connection with Ultimate Reality,
   3. forging a personal relationship with Ultimate Reality,
   4. an experience of union with Ultimate Reality,
   5. actually spending time experiencing the presence of Ultimate Reality,
   6. an immediate transcendent experience of Ultimate Reality,
   7. a visceral experience of Ultimate Reality that would validate their religious ideas,
   8. an experience of ultimate connection with Ultimate Reality, and
   9. the consequent and authentic spiritual transformation and personal empowerment that such experiences are supposed to deliver.

What the individuals above were seeking is often defined as a mystical experience of Ultimate Reality. Mystical comes from mysticism, which is from the Greek μυω (mueo, "to conceal. It is the pursuit of achieving communion with, or conscious awareness of, Ultimate Reality, the divine, spiritual truth, or God/Buddha through direct, personal experience, intuition, or insight.

Today, individuals around the world do not just want to hear about the mystical, direct spiritual experiences of Ultimate Reality that empowered the saints, mystics, and prophets of ancient times. They want the very same spiritual experiences for themselves! They are willing to go directly to the very originating Ultimate Reality of all faith and spirituality through many different paths because they feel this is a central, essential part of their faith and is just too important not to experience.

New sub-movements within and outside of the major religions have been addressing the spiritual desires described in 1-9 above in various ways using meditation, prayer, and other processes:

1. 1. "Spiritual, but not religious" individuals, who are not affiliated with any formal religion, are seeking it within the global, rapidly growing personal spirituality movement that emphasizes direct personal experience of Ultimate Reality. These individuals are open to all sources and disciplines (science, philosophy, etc.) to help them reach their goals.
   2. Buddhists seek it though enlightenment through meditation.
   3. Many Catholics have seen this revival of direct experience, personal spirituality in the Cursillo movement and the Centering Prayer movement of Father Thomas Keating.
   4. Many Jews search for it in the revival of Kabbalism and Hasidism, which emphasize devoted, direct, emotional experience and worship of God in all of God’s various personal and impersonal states.
   5. Many Muslims seek it in the Islamic mystical tradition of Sufism that seeks intimacy with the Divine through contemplation.
   6. Pentecostals seek it through baptism in the Holy Spirit, which they verify by speaking in tongues. And,
   7. Christian Evangelicals seek it in the "born again" or in "being saved" experiences.

The human thirst for spiritual transcendence, in the form of an authentically transformative, direct, personal spiritual experience of and with Ultimate Reality, appears too strong to be controlled or met by any one religion. Individuals who value it or want to expand it are more than willing to seek it beyond their current faith. They search for and use any authentic spiritual wisdom from any faith that connects them directly to Ultimate Reality. (For additional information on mystical experiences, click here.)

What Does Direct Personal Spiritual Experience of Ultimate Reality Actually Produce

The key to direct spiritual experience with Ultimate Reality is that such experiences, when successful, are always significantly transforming at one level or another. The results of authentic spiritual practices that facilitate direct personal spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality produce various degrees of the following transforming experiences: 

1. 1. a visceral experience of Ultimate Reality,
   2. experiencing the presence of Ultimate Reality,
   3. a personal connection with Ultimate Reality,
   4. a personal relationship with Ultimate Reality,
   5. union with Ultimate Reality,
   6. a transcendent experience of Ultimate Reality,
   7. personal ecstatic and/or awe experiences of Ultimate Reality,
   8. knowing more about Ultimate Reality through direct experience,
   9. having new cycles of personal renewal and empowerment in the form of feeling energized, motivated, inspired, and rekindled hope,
   10. finding a presence of Ultimate Reality within oneself (or, even as them),
   11. ultimate connection with Ultimate Reality,
   12. an expanded living of the virtues in a balanced way. So that, in your personal and social behavior and attitudes, you are being like the nature of Ultimate Reality.

Personal spiritual transformation toward living the virtues is the ultimate proof of authentic spiritual practices that support and facilitate the direct personal spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality. Numbers 1-11 above are subjective experiences, but living the virtues in a balanced way (as in 12 above) is not merely subjective. Living the virtues in a balanced way can be seen and experienced objectively. And it is currently the best spiritual community validity test for whether one is truly being transformed and spiritually growing as a result of their spiritual practices.

Why is the Search and Exploration of Ultimate Reality So Worthwhile to You Personally?

When you are evolving toward and with Ultimate Reality through direct spiritual experience, you are on one of the greatest and most rewarding adventures in the evolving physical universe. It is one of, if not the most primal, purposeful, and only adventure in all of existence that will:

• create every single thing that is worthwhile to be or become,
• help you to do every single thing worthwhile that could be done and,
• eventually create every single thing that is worth having --- both now and throughout eternity!

From direct spiritual experiences with Ultimate Reality, you can also expect to experience a new and expanded sense of:

• • delight,
  • identity,
  • purpose and meaning,
  • autonomy, freedom, and dignity,
  • awareness, compassion, empathy, and peace,
  • emotional and mental balance
  • physical well-being,
  • feeling younger in heart and energy as you paradoxically get older (a major life re-vitalization),
  • personal effectiveness (being able to implement wise and balanced applications of the virtues to resolve life’s problems),
  • service to life manifesting in life-affirming and balanced ways,
  • connection to Ultimate Reality as well as all other life and,
  • interconnectedness within and identification with a dynamic and growing global community in a new type of networked global life-and-spirit commons.

Take a few moments to think of examples of how your life might improve if your life were experiencing the very tangible and attainable personal benefits listed just above! 

How to Achieve Transformative Direct Personal Spiritual Experience of the Ultimate Reality

There are many types, levels, and methods for achieving a transformative, direct, personal spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality. These experiences are nearly infinite in variety because they connect the individual to and with the various aspects and states of a theoretical, infinite Ultimate Reality. There also does not seem to be one final experience or state so replete that there is no need to seek further deepening and broadening of one's direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality.

In Universe Spirituality, we strongly recommend that you begin your adventure of direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality by understanding the universe's progressive evolution and our current scientific account of its genesis story and long history, as found within the New Universe Worldview. 

There are simple reasons why, in Universe Spirituality, we recommend starting your search for direct spiritual experience here in the objective science side of reality:

1.) The physical universe can be considered the fruit of life, and Ultimate Reality is the seed of this fruit. Because the fruit always reflects the nature and inherent potentialities and goals ("intentions") of the seed, by learning about the fruit, you also learn about the seed. 

2.) This direct observation of the physical universe may also be the best way to know the nature and purposes of the Origin and Original Source of the physical universe. This is because directly observing the fruit (the universe) of any seed tells you a lot about the nature, purposes, and destiny of that seed. Right now, the newest scientific discoveries described by the new Universe Evolutionary Worldview provide the most expansive, systematic, and accurate direct observations of the universe in the entire history of humanity. Observing and studying the deep recurring patterns of the physical universe as a whole system, using the fact probabilities of good science, is the most direct, simple, and complete way to discover what the seed Ultimate Reality wants, in terms that can be commonly agreed upon and shared by all who can independently test these observations for their validity. These common facts about the physical universe fruit can then be woven into universal agreements, principles, and values that will allow humanity to resolve its planetary challenges with a universal ethic. 

3. Universe Spirituality is based significantly, but not exclusively, upon the direct physical observation and physical experience of the whole universe as a unified system. For possibly the first time, it presents spirituality from a whole systems, integral, and physical universe-framed perspective. Universe Spirituality holds that even though the physical universe may not be the ultimate end of the spiritual discovery and exploration process, it is the first, most direct, and most common collective objective space wherein individuals can explore and test their personal spirituality and then agree upon what common or universal values and meanings they discover in an open and reasonable manner. Direct observation of the recurring patterns of the physical universe has always been the source of our oldest spiritual wisdom and practical principles for living.

4.)  Universe Spirituality has also come into being in significant part due to the emergence of the new Universe Evolutionary Worldview and its new science breakthroughs. Now, because of new universe-scale discoveries in cosmology and in the evolutionary sciences, the physical universe has once again become an upgraded and expanded source for some of the most effective and life-affirming new spiritual wisdom and practical principles for living. This new information is found within the perspectives and principles of progressive evolution of the new Universe Evolutionary Worldview.

5.) Universe Spirituality in its older Evolution Spirituality Form also defines and reflects the integration and balance of science (from the direct observation of the universe) and spirituality (integrated from humanity's vast life-affirming spiritual heritage). These two words also symbolize and embody communal objectivity in the universe and personal subjectivity in spirituality.

These balanced and integrated concepts of universe science (objectivity) and subjective spirituality, along with their related personal experience, reflect the dance and balance of the most vital and fundamental relationship for any spirituality to be effective, healthy, evolutionary, and integral.

This means that personal spirituality, as practiced in the Universe Spirituality movement, continuously grows within the individual's subjective reality and is then balanced and grounded by sound science about the objective physical nature of the universe. The essential subjective side of Universe Spirituality consists of the knowledge, wisdom, myths, metaphors, probabilities, and beliefs that the individual discovers for themselves and then holds, discards, or re-integrates at new levels as they mature in their spiritual development and practice. 

The objective side of Universe Spirituality consists of the knowledge, wisdom, probabilities, and facts that the individual discovers for themselves through the sciences and then holds, discards, or reintegrates at new levels of growth as they expand their studies and/or as science discovers new or redefining facts. In this balance and dance between discovery experiences in subjective personal reality and objective science-reality experiences tested by a community of the adequate a balance and integration is found, which also makes Universe Spirituality  so vital to the future of religion and spirituality.

It is in the combination, integration, and balancing of the subjective, objective, and even the inter-subjective discoveries of life as we grow where we continually expand our vision of our own individual essence and the essence of all things (Ultimate Reality) in new and expanding ways, which add to the richness, meaning, and effectiveness of our lives. The Universe Spirituality movement embraces this evolutionary, integral, and balanced spiritual process of objective and subjective integration and balance, and educates on how to maximize its safe outcomes in many unique ways that are simply not found in any other spiritual or religious movement in the world today.

In fact, we hold that without both sides of objective science and subjective personal spirituality present, integrated, and in balance, it would simply be impossible to have a healthy and effective spirituality or religion.

Starting the Non-Science Pathway to Direct Spiritual Experience of Ultimate Reality

Once you have progressed along the recommended initial path above, the Universe Spirituality movement also offers detailed information and support for many other safe, traditional, and mystical paths for direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality through its Universe College spirituality courses. On these traditional and mystical paths to direct spiritual experience of Ultimate Reality, you will discover the knowledge and practices of the founders and greatest mystics of the religions within our shared spiritual heritage.

Additionally, on the Universe College spiritual courses, the many types, levels, and methods of achieving transformative direct personal spiritual experience that come from the spiritual wisdom of humankind’s combined spiritual heritage can be presented and tailored in such a way that individuals of any 

• • personality type,
  • learning style,
  • culture,
  • psychological or cognitive development level, or
  • any meme level, wave, and stage of consciousness development

... can easily and safely access as well as successfully have expanding direct spiritual experiences of Ultimate Reality and grow towards spiritual completeness. This information and access allow you to personalize your spiritual process and path and to choose from collections of spiritual methods and information that best suit your unique situation and qualities.

If you are interested in:

1.) Experiencing similar direct spiritual experiences to what the saints, prophets, mystics, and some scientists experienced, and

2.) Experiencing any or all of the following:

• • • a visceral experience of Ultimate Reality,

    • experiencing the presence of Ultimate Reality,

    • a personal connection with Ultimate Reality,

    • a personal relationship with Ultimate Reality,

    • union with Ultimate Reality,

    • a transcendent experience of Ultimate Reality,

    • personal ecstatic experiences of Ultimate Reality,

    • knowing more about Ultimate Reality qualities, states, nature, and purposes through direct spiritual experience,

    • having new cycles of personal renewal and empowerment from these experiences in the form of feeling energized, motivated, inspired and rekindled hope,

    • finding a presence of Ultimate Reality within oneself (or, even as them),

    • ultimate connection with Ultimate Reality, and

    • the wisdom and empowerment for an expanded living of the virtues in a balanced way. (So that in your personal and social behavior and attitudes, you are being like what Ultimate Reality is like.) and, 

3.) You are interested in using safe and balanced tools and wisdom from humankind’s combined spiritual heritage, then click here to begin to expand your transformative direct personal spiritual experiences now.

Ecstatic Experiences, Direct Spiritual Experience and the Dark Side of Spirituality

Direct Spiritual Experience is a more subtle and different form of what is known as religious ecstasy, but it is not the form of religious ecstasy that is a trance-like state frequently accompanied by visions, hallucinations, and physical euphoria. This form of trance-related religious ecstasy usually lasts about half an hour. However, there are many records of such experiences lasting several days, and some people claim to have experienced ecstasy over a period of over three decades, or to have recurring experiences of ecstasy during their lifetime.

There is a profound difference between the subtle spiritual ecstasy created by safe and balanced direct spiritual experience and induced psychological, physiological or drug ecstasy. Psychological, physiological, and drug-induced ecstasy can easily be created within a target audience by the conscious manipulation of psychological and sociological influence and coercion techniques to induce trance or emotional or psychological flooding. All of which is designed to overwhelm and unfairly manipulate the individual, not free them.

The most effective forms of transformative direct spiritual experience are neither excessive nor coercive, and do not induce trance or emotional or psychological flooding. They never overwhelm an individual’s free will in spiritual choices or force experiences upon them that would harm them.

What has been called religious ecstasy (and often has been cleverly substituted for the more subtle, transformative, direct personal spiritual experience) is actually various forms and degrees of mind control exercised by individuals or organizations more interested in controlling a target audience for their own financial, recruiting, or labor advantages. Therefore, it is of high importance for anyone seeking authentic, transformative, direct personal spiritual experience to know when the worst forms of religious ecstasy, emotional flooding, or other psychological and sociological covert influence manipulations are taking place and being called authentic spiritual practice.

Reviewing the following information will help:

• • How to know you are becoming attuned to an internal, authentic guiding "voice" or the guidance of Ultimate Reality, from your spiritual experiences

  • Warning Signs for Unhealthy or Dangerous Spiritual Practices

  • Qualities of Healthy Spiritual Practices

  • Code of Ethics for Spiritual Guides

  • Coercive Mind Control Tactics

  • Warning signs of a destructive cult

(For more about ecstatic religious experiences, click here.) - 

Reading to Help Stimulate Direct Spiritual Experiences of Ultimate Reality:

A.) To better understand the essence and processes of direct spiritual experience in Western spirituality, be sure to read:

• • • Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality Presented in Four Paths, Twenty-Six Themes, and Two Questions by Matthew Fox
    • The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature, Centenary Edition by William James
    • The Urantia Book: Indexed Version by Uversa Press
    • The Essential Zohar: The Source of Kabbalistic Wisdom by Rav P.S. Berg

Please note that Universe Spirituality contains an emerging set of new ideas about spirituality found in evolution.

B.) To better understand the essence and processes of direct spiritual experience in Eastern spirituality, be sure to read:

• • • Life Divine - U.S. Edition by Sri Aurobindo. (Available on Amazon)
    • God Speaks by Meher Baba. (Available on Amazon)

C.) To better understand the safeguards needed for safe and healthy direct spiritual experience in both forms of spirituality, absolutely read:

Spiritual Safeguards is essential reading on where serious control and abuse problems can arise for anyone involved in spiritual growth or any spiritual organization. Also see the Ethical Code for Universe Spirituality, regarding our Life and Spirit facilitators and their ministry.

Important upgrade note: We are still migrating 25 years' worth of materials from the older Universe Spirit website (about 1,000 pages) to this new Universe Spirit website. During this upgrade process, we will eventually move all new Way of the Universe philosophy materials still on the newer Universe Spirit website to its own site.

For all important information relating to this massive Universe Spirit upgrade, click here. We strongly recommend reading this detailed explanation of the massive upgrade underway, so you also understand our strategy and the reason for any confusion that you might experience with our ongoing edits on unedited pages transfered to our new website, remaining broken links, links still going to our old website, and sometimes conflicting terminology still found on pages at the new Universe Spirit website where we have not yet completed our editing upgrades. We hope to be fully done with this massive upgrade by January 2027.