Difference between revisions of "Conversion Experience"

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A '''Conversation Experience''' (a.k.a. Religious Conversion, Spiritual Conversion, or simply conversion) is a sudden, powerful, but usually brief expansion of [[Consciousness]] into the [[Physical Unit]], a [[Connection Experience]] in [[LP]] words. It is a term commonly used by Western Christians to describe a sudden "turning away" from a "prideful self" and the turning towards, and even union with, a powerful, perceived presence,<ref>Mahoney, Annette, and Kenneth I. Pargament. “Sacred Changes: Spiritual Conversion and Transformation.” Journal of Clinical Psychology, no. 5 (2004): 481-2.</ref> understood by the Christian as God, often in spite of previous, intractable and even hostile resistance to the idea.
A '''Conversation Experience''' (a.k.a. Religious Conversion, Spiritual Conversion, or simply conversion) is a [[Connection Experience Type|type]] of [[Connection Experience]]. It is a term commonly used by Western Christians to describe a sudden "turning away" from a "prideful self" and the turning towards, and even union with, a powerful, perceived presence, typically conceptualized as God or Christ<ref>Mahoney, Annette, and Kenneth I. Pargament. “Sacred Changes: Spiritual Conversion and Transformation.” Journal of Clinical Psychology, no. 5 (2004): 481-2.</ref>, despite previous, intractable and even hostile resistance to the idea.
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==Syncretic Terms for Connection Experience==
==List of Connection Experience Types==


[[Connection Experience]] > {{#ask:[[Is a syncretic term::Connection Experience]]}}
[[Connection Experience Types]] > {{#ask: [[Is a::Connection Experience Type]]}}


==See Also==
==Notes==
 
[[Connection]], [[Connection Event]], [[Connection Outcome]], [[Connection Experience Types]]


==Notes==
The original meaning of "conversion" revolved around the root''convertere'', which means "to turn around." "The spatial image is one of revolving, reversing, or changing direction, though from the beginning the word was used in a religious sense."<ref>Hewitt, Glenn A. Regeneration and Morality: A Study of Charles Finney, Charles Hodge, John W. Nevin, and Horace Bushnell. New York: Carlson Publishing, 1991. p. 4.</ref>  In this sense, the term "conversion" is a syncretic term for [[Is a syncretic term::Alignment]]


In [[LP]] terms, conversion is a Connection Experience that leads to temporary union with either [[Resident Monadic Consciousness]]. [[Higher Self]], or some other location within the [[Fabric of Consciousness]].  
Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, despite being an avowed atheist, had a powerful Conversion Experience which instantly cured him of an alcohol addiction so bad that his doctor was predicting permanent brain damage and death if he did not achieve total abstention.<ref>Alcoholics Anonymous. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C91R4WY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01C91R4WY&linkCode=as2&tag=lightningpa02-20&linkId=eaa510d412d8411ff848b005dd7845f5 ‘PASS IT ON’ The Story of Bill Wilson and How the A.A. Message Reached the World.] Kindle. New York: AA World Services, 1984.</ref> His connection experience activated him and led him to co-create Alcoholics Anonymous.  


Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, despite being an avowed atheist, had a powerful Conversion Experience which instantly cured him of an alcohol addiction so bad that his doctor was predicting permanent brain damage and death if he did not achieve total abstention.<ref>Alcoholics Anonymous. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C91R4WY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01C91R4WY&linkCode=as2&tag=lightningpa02-20&linkId=eaa510d412d8411ff848b005dd7845f5 ‘PASS IT ON’ The Story of Bill Wilson and How the A.A. Message Reached the World.] Kindle. New York: AA World Services, 1984.</ref> His connection experience activated him and led him to co-create Alcoholics Anonymous.
R. M. Offord provides several examples of alcoholics who had conversion experiences.<ref>Offord, R.M. Jerry McAuley: An Apostle to the Lost. New York: Forgotten Books, 2012.</ref>  


Early iterations of AA seem to have focussed quite explicitly on the elicitation of conversion experience as a powerful cure for the alcoholic's addiction, though later this was largely pushed aside.<Ref>Dick, B. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005V1M358/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lightningpa02-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B005V1M358&linkId=05c6c7ee5d359f90b92bd00a966f9bc6 The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous.] Kihei, Maui: Paradise Research Publications, 2011.</ref>  
Early iterations of AA seem to have focussed quite explicitly on the elicitation of conversion experience as a powerful cure for the alcoholic's addiction, though later this was largely pushed aside.<Ref>Dick, B. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005V1M358/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lightningpa02-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B005V1M358&linkId=05c6c7ee5d359f90b92bd00a966f9bc6 The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous.] Kihei, Maui: Paradise Research Publications, 2011.</ref>  
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A conversion experience may also include elements of [[Awakening]] ([[Awakening Experience]]), [[Activation]] ([[Activation Experience]]), and [[Ascension]] ([[Unity Experience]]).
A conversion experience may also include elements of [[Awakening]] ([[Awakening Experience]]), [[Activation]] ([[Activation Experience]]), and [[Ascension]] ([[Unity Experience]]).


==Further LP Reading==
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[[category:terms]]
[[category:terms]]
[[category:lightningpath]]
[[Is a:Connection Experience Type| ]]
[[category:BOLIFE]][[Is a syncretic term::Connection Experience| ]][[Is a Connection Outcome|| ]]

Latest revision as of 15:58, 6 May 2023

A Conversation Experience (a.k.a. Religious Conversion, Spiritual Conversion, or simply conversion) is a type of Connection Experience. It is a term commonly used by Western Christians to describe a sudden "turning away" from a "prideful self" and the turning towards, and even union with, a powerful, perceived presence, typically conceptualized as God or Christ[1], despite previous, intractable and even hostile resistance to the idea.

List of Connection Experience Types

Connection Experience Types > Activation Experience, Aesthetic Experience, Birth Experience, Clearing Experience, Completion Experience, Death Experience, Deep Flow, Diminutive Experience, Dream Experience, Flow Experience, Forced Connection, Healing Experience, Nadir Experience, Peak Experience, Plateau Experience, Push Experience, Rebirth Experience, Restorative Experience, Union Experience, Unity Experience, Zenith Experience

Notes

The original meaning of "conversion" revolved around the rootconvertere, which means "to turn around." "The spatial image is one of revolving, reversing, or changing direction, though from the beginning the word was used in a religious sense."[2] In this sense, the term "conversion" is a syncretic term for Alignment 

Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, despite being an avowed atheist, had a powerful Conversion Experience which instantly cured him of an alcohol addiction so bad that his doctor was predicting permanent brain damage and death if he did not achieve total abstention.[3] His connection experience activated him and led him to co-create Alcoholics Anonymous.

R. M. Offord provides several examples of alcoholics who had conversion experiences.[4]

Early iterations of AA seem to have focussed quite explicitly on the elicitation of conversion experience as a powerful cure for the alcoholic's addiction, though later this was largely pushed aside.[5]

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous acknowledges the significance and importance of "Spiritual Experience," but notes that powerful conversion experiences are not necessary for cure, and that transformations may be gradual and occur over time[6] in spiritual experiences that psychologist William James calls the "educational variety," but that on the LP we would call a Glimpse or Intuitive Glimmering.

A conversion experience may also include elements of Awakening (Awakening Experience), Activation (Activation Experience), and Ascension (Unity Experience).


Footnotes

  1. ↑ Mahoney, Annette, and Kenneth I. Pargament. “Sacred Changes: Spiritual Conversion and Transformation.” Journal of Clinical Psychology, no. 5 (2004): 481-2.
  2. ↑ Hewitt, Glenn A. Regeneration and Morality: A Study of Charles Finney, Charles Hodge, John W. Nevin, and Horace Bushnell. New York: Carlson Publishing, 1991. p. 4.
  3. ↑ Alcoholics Anonymous. ‘PASS IT ON’ The Story of Bill Wilson and How the A.A. Message Reached the World. Kindle. New York: AA World Services, 1984.
  4. ↑ Offord, R.M. Jerry McAuley: An Apostle to the Lost. New York: Forgotten Books, 2012.
  5. ↑ Dick, B. The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous. Kihei, Maui: Paradise Research Publications, 2011.
  6. ↑ Wilson, Bill, and Bob Smith. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Kindle. New York: Renegade Press, ND.

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