William James

• William James believed that mystical experiences consist of four distinguishing features
• Passivity - The person has no control over them

  Ineffable - They cannot be described by the human language

  Noetic - They convey knowledge of the universe

  Transient - They don't last long and only happen once in a lifetime
• In all religious experiences, James identifies a feeling of deep inner peace, joy, great emotional intensity and an unshakable claim that God has been encountered in a "bipolar event" (Beyond human control and understanding)
• These feelings can be brought about in ways other than prayer and worship - for example, hallucinogenic drugs