[davidsun]

Originally Posted by Molearner

Very interesting to hear that atheists have mystical experiences. It would be illuminating to read some of their accounts and there take on the sources of these experiences.

By definition any experience someone has that they (or others) can't logically explain as being a 'natural' phenomenon is a 'mystery', hence a 'mystical' experience.

Also, what is 'mystical' to some, others might find logically explainable, and so not at all be 'mystical' to them.

For example:

http://news.mit.edu/2019/how-expecta...erception-0715

http://jonlieffmd.com/blog/how-does-...ect-perception

So someone who is consciously (or unconsciously!) 'open' (i.e. in one way or another expects!) to experience a 'sign' that there is a 'ghost' or 'angel' or kind of 'god' around will eventually have an experience which they interpret as being a 'sign' or 'proof' that such a 'ghost' or 'angel' or 'god' is real.

Most people are quite 'suggestible' in this regard. Interestingly, people who disbelieve in (and so expect not to encounter) 'ghosts', 'angels' or 'gods' etc. will interpret any and all of their experiences as 'showing' that there are no 'ghosts', 'angels' or 'gods' etc.

There is plenty of research pertaining to 'believers' versus those who are 'skeptical' in relation to 'psychic' (i.e. 'mystical') phenomena: for example, check out https://link.springer.com/article/10...421-015-0563-x

Also see https://digest.bps.org.uk/2016/02/16...sychic-powers/