Editing Philosophy of religion (section)

====Types====
[[File:Avatars of Vishnu.jpg|thumb|225px|Depiction of the [[theophany]] scene in the [[Bhagavadgita]] wherein [[Krishna]] reveals his universal form to [[Arjuna]]]]
Just like there are different religions, there are different forms of religious experience. One could have "subject/content" experiences (such as a euphoric meditative state) and "subject/consciousness/object" experiences (such as the perception of having seen a god, i.e. [[theophany]]).<ref>Yandell, 2002, p. 40, 47.</ref> Experiences of [[theophany]] are described in ancient Mediterranean religious works and myths and include the story of [[Semele]] who died due to her seeing [[Zeus]] and the Biblical story of the [[Burning bush]]. Indian texts like the [[Bhagavadgita|Bhagavad Gita]] also contain theophanic events. The diversity (sometimes to the point of contradiction) of religious experiences has also been used as an argument against their veridical nature, and as evidence that they are a purely subjective psychological phenomenon.<ref>Meister 2009, p. 180.</ref>

In Western thought, religious experience (mainly a theistic one) has been described by the likes of [[Friedrich Schleiermacher]], [[Rudolf Otto]] and [[William James]]. According to Schleiermacher, the distinguishing feature of a religious experience is that "one is overcome by the feeling of absolute dependence."<ref>Rowe, 2007, p. 70</ref> Otto meanwhile, argued that while this was an important element, the most basic feature of religious experiences is that it is ''[[numinous]]''. He described this as "non-rational, non-sensory experience or feeling whose primary and immediate object is outside the self" as well as having the qualities of being a mystery, terrifying and fascinating.<ref>Otto, Rudolf (1996). Alles, Gregory D., ed. [https://books.google.com/books?id=D13tugwJcY0C ''Autobiographical and Social Essays'']. Berlin: [[Walter de Gruyter]]. p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=D13tugwJcY0C&dq=%22ganz+andere%22%22ganz+an%22%22ders+%5bwholly+other%5d%22&pg=PA30 30]. {{ISBN|978-3-110-14519-9}}.</ref>

Rowe meanwhile defined a religious experience as "an experience in which one senses the immediate presence of the divine."<ref>Rowe 2007, pg. 72.</ref> According to Rowe, religious experiences can be divided in the following manner:<ref>Rowe 2007, pp 73, 78</ref>

*Religious experiences in which one senses the presence of the divine as being distinct from oneself.
*Mystical experiences in which one senses one's own union with a divine presence.
**The extrovertive way looks outward through the senses into the world around us and finds the divine reality there.
**The introvertive way turns inward and finds the divine reality in the deepest part of the self.

Non-monotheistic religions meanwhile also report different experiences from theophany, such as [[non-dual]] experiences of oneness and deeply focused meditative states (termed ''[[samadhi]]'' in Indian religion) as well as experiences of [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|enlightenment]] in Buddhism, [[moksha|liberation]] in Hinduism, and [[kevala]] in [[Jainism]].{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Another typology, offered by Chad Meister, differentiates between three major experiences:<ref>Meister 2009, p. 171-74.</ref>

*Regenerative experiences, in which an individual feels reborn, transformed or changed radically, usually resulting in religious conversion.
*Charismatic experiences, in which special gifts, abilities, or blessings are manifested (such as healing, visions, etc.)
*[[Mystical experiences]], which can be described using William James qualifications as being: [[ineffable]], [[Nous|noetic]], transient and passive.