What is it like to experience or to know God?

[Unquirer]

Hello all, first time poster here. I was an Orthodox convert about 5 years or so years ago but have fallen away. I have recently experienced a renewed interest in the faith, however. So I have a burning question that I keep coming back to.

I have heard much about how we are to achieve theosis, from a practical standpoint. What I haven't seen or heard as much about is what is this process or experience like? Can anyone describe to me what it is like to draw closer and unite with Him? Although I was actively practicing for several years I'm not sure that I have an answer and was hoping that others can help me to better understand by sharing their own experiences. What is it like to experience the kingdom of God on earth/within ourselves?

 

[~Anastasia~]

Hello all, first time poster here. I was an Orthodox convert about 5 years or so years ago but have fallen away. I have recently experienced a renewed interest in the faith, however. So I have a burning question that I keep coming back to.

I have heard much about how we are to achieve theosis, from a practical standpoint. What I haven't seen or heard as much about is what is this process or experience like? Can anyone describe to me what it is like to draw closer and unite with Him? Although I was actively practicing for several years I'm not sure that I have an answer and was hoping that others can help me to better understand by sharing their own experiences. What is it like to experience the kingdom of God on earth/within ourselves?

Hello and welcome to CF, and to TAW.

And glory to God for a renewed interest in your part!

I'm not sure I can answer your question, though I've had certain experiences. Particularly after receiving the Eucharist, or during personal prayer, or during the liturgical worship. But I don't think it would be helpful even if I could describe those particular experiences. Perhaps it might be different for someone else? It's not always the same for me. But there is an awareness, a transcendence, involved. I think we need to be aware of what comes along with it - the only proper responses are things like a sense of repentance, humility, or perhaps awe in the sense of us becoming small while God is very large, if that makes sense. Anything we "feel" that exhalts us in our feelings is deeply suspect, I would say.

I guess I want very much to be helpful, but I'm not sure how? I will say that for me, PRACTICING the faith always seems to be the catalyst for any drawing closer to God.

ETA: the only things I'm talking about are just drawing closer and experiencing the grace God deigns to provide. I wouldn't call it "theosis" ... though it's an early step toward that, I would hope.

 

[Kevin Snow]

The joy of the Lord is unlike anything else and cannot be compared to the pleasures of this earth. If you seek him, he will be found by you but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. You must show yourself to be genuine and not come halfheartedly. If you believe that he is God and that he is true then would you not seek him? And in seeking him do you not believe that he will reveal himself to you? This is a matter of faith and without faith no one can please him.

It doesn't have to happen in a moment but you can seek him for some time before you meet him. I recommend praying and reading the word both night and day. Do not give up but continue seeking him for him and before you are aware of it, he will find you.

 

[archer75]

Perhaps you will get a better answer reading a good book on prayer or speaking to a priest?

 

[DavidFirth]

If you wish to find God you must seek Him. If you continue to pursue Him He will find you. Pray, and continue in prayer and believe. The devil will try to convince you to give up or stop but don't stop praying. Ever.

Also, seek out other Christians, priests, pastors, deacons, etc.

 

[ArmyMatt]

direct experience comes as God wills. they often happen when God knows you are ready for it. just be faithful

 

[NBB]

1 Corinthians 2:9 New King James Version (NKJV)
9 But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

 

[DaveDavids]

Hello all, first time poster here. I was an Orthodox convert about 5 years or so years ago but have fallen away. I have recently experienced a renewed interest in the faith, however. So I have a burning question that I keep coming back to.

I have heard much about how we are to achieve theosis, from a practical standpoint. What I haven't seen or heard as much about is what is this process or experience like? Can anyone describe to me what it is like to draw closer and unite with Him? Although I was actively practicing for several years I'm not sure that I have an answer and was hoping that others can help me to better understand by sharing their own experiences. What is it like to experience the kingdom of God on earth/within ourselves?

If you read classical rabbinical accounts it almost sounds supernatural

" According to Maimonides, a person experiencing this revelation would feel the spirit enter him and give him the power and motivation to speak. The subject could be of science, a psalm, a moral message for those around him, or an exposition of political or theological knowledge "

" The above is different from true prophecy in a few ways. A proper prophet would have no doubt about his status as a prophet; he would know definitely without any uncertainty that his revelation was a true prophecy. Also, while one with Holy Spirit would retain control over his body and senses, a prophet's limbs would tremble, his physical powers would weaken, and he would lose control of his senses in order that his mind be able to focus entirely on the revelation "

 

[Unquirer]

Any good podcasts on AFR on the subject?

 

[Valetic]

Hello all, first time poster here. I was an Orthodox convert about 5 years or so years ago but have fallen away. I have recently experienced a renewed interest in the faith, however. So I have a burning question that I keep coming back to.

I have heard much about how we are to achieve theosis, from a practical standpoint. What I haven't seen or heard as much about is what is this process or experience like? Can anyone describe to me what it is like to draw closer and unite with Him? Although I was actively practicing for several years I'm not sure that I have an answer and was hoping that others can help me to better understand by sharing their own experiences. What is it like to experience the kingdom of God on earth/within ourselves?

When I was born again I had an out of body experience. It was beyond anything I could put into words. And the feeling I had upon being very up close and personal to His presence was like nirvana.

Not everyone has this experience. But for me it was like catching a glimpse of the afterlife. That death isn't real. Only to the body it is but we just continue to exist.

 

[ArmyMatt]

When I was born again I had an out of body experience. It was beyond anything I could put into words. And the feeling I had upon being very up close and personal to His presence was like nirvana.

Not everyone has this experience. But for me it was like catching a glimpse of the afterlife. That death isn't real. Only to the body it is but we just continue to exist.

be cautious about those experiences. they need to be tested. if there was no feeling of conviction of sin as well, I would tread carefully.

 

[Valetic]

be cautious about those experiences. they need to be tested. if there was no feeling of conviction of sin as well, I would tread carefully.

it's the only time anything like this ever happened to me. It started after my aunt prayed for me. As the night continued I began to feel the Holy spirit moving in me until I was fully aware that it was the Holy spirit. And then I experienced reflections of my own judgements and projections being projected back onto me by the Holy spirit. I then cried out to him in my convictions telling him I wanted to be with him. He then showed me forgiveness by revealing the free gift Jesus gave us on the cross. I accepted him into my heart. And then Jesus asked me if I wanted to "go with him." I didn't know what this meant but I told him yes because I had already fallen in love. And that's when it happened. I can only describe it like my soul was catapulted outside this universe and I was submerged in God's holy presence and then he said "I AM" and I believed with all that I was and was born again in this moment. Then my soul came back to my body. I was unaware of what was going on in the world around me but that didn't matter because God was holding me in his hands. Never been the same after that.

 

[ArmyMatt]

it's the only time anything like this ever happened to me. It started after my aunt prayed for me. As the night continued I began to feel the Holy spirit moving in me until I was fully aware that it was the Holy spirit. And then I experienced reflections of my own judgements and projections being projected back onto me by the Holy spirit. I then cried out to him in my convictions telling him I wanted to be with him. He then showed me forgiveness by revealing the free gift Jesus gave us on the cross. I accepted him into my heart. And then Jesus asked me if I wanted to "go with him." I didn't know what this meant but I told him yes because I had already fallen in love. And that's when it happened. I can only describe it like my soul was catapulted outside this universe and I was submerged in God's holy presence and then he said "I AM" and I believed with all that I was and was born again in this moment. Then my soul came back to my body. I was unaware of what was going on in the world around me but that didn't matter because God was holding me in his hands. Never been the same after that.

I don't doubt your experience or sincerity, just saying be cautious is all.

 

[Valetic]

I don't doubt your experience or sincerity, just saying be cautious is all.

I understand where you are coming from as I have heard stories of occultists somehow forcibly having out of body experiences and flying over neighborhoods throwing curses and causing all kinds of ungodly mischief. I do believe in such things. And I appreciate your concern.

But there is no reason for me to experience this again as far as I know until I die. God got his message across to me. And above all for me to doubt or deny this experience is to doubt or deny my own salvation and God's power. I don't have anything to prove I was just sharing my experiences like the OP asked for. Again i appreciate the concern.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I understand where you are coming from as I have heard stories of occultists somehow forcibly having out of body experiences and flying over neighborhoods throwing curses and causing all kinds of ungodly mischief. I do believe in such things. And I appreciate your concern.

But there is no reason for me to experience this again as far as I know until I die. God got his message across to me. And above all for me to doubt or deny this experience is to doubt or deny my own salvation and God's power. I don't have anything to prove I was just sharing my experiences like the OP asked for. Again i appreciate the concern.

it's not just the occultists, demons can mimic these experiences to deceive people.

 

[Valetic]

it's not just the occultists, demons can mimic these experiences to deceive people.

I don't see why a demon would give an experience where you are convicted of sin, led into repentance and acceptance of our free gift at the cross, or even drag you into the presence of almighty God who "in Him no darkness is found"?

I don't doubt they can be devisive and manipulative and try to sway your beliefs into something less godly, or give you feelings...

 

[Valetic]

Also the unity with God I felt to further answer the OP, the oneness was so great that it's almost like I was talking to myself because he already knows everything we ever saw or heard, so I knew there was something greater inside me that I was communicating with it was just a matter of me letting myself do it.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I don't see why a demon would give an experience where you are convicted of sin, led into repentance and acceptance of our free gift at the cross, or even drag you into the presence of almighty God who "in Him no darkness is found"?

I don't doubt they can be devisive and manipulative and try to sway your beliefs into something less godly, or give you feelings...

I am not saying it was, only that it can be and has been especially if you look at the early Christian experience. the enemy uses whatever he can to trip us up.

 

[Valetic]

I am not saying it was, only that it can be and has been especially if you look at the early Christian experience. the enemy uses whatever he can to trip us up.

Would you be do kind as to elaborate about that and the early Christian experience?

 

[ArmyMatt]

Would you be do kind as to elaborate about that and the early Christian experience?

the demons would often come to the Christians with visions and experiences, often amazing, and the Christians thought it was of God. but the demons used that to slowly deceive.