The Varieties of Religious Experience · Chapter
Lecture XIX: Other Characteristics explained
This lecture explores additional characteristics of religious life, focusing on prayer as the core of religion, the role of the subconscious, and the phenomenon of inspiration.
What happens
This lecture explores additional characteristics of religious life, focusing on prayer as the core of religion, the role of the subconscious, and the phenomenon of inspiration. James argues that prayer, understood as any form of communion with the divine, is the essence of religion and that its genuineness depends on whether something real is transacted in the prayerful consciousness. He also discusses the connection between religious manifestations and the subconscious, citing automatisms and inspirations in religious leaders, and presents the case of George Müller as an example of a life led by petitional prayer.
Themes in this chapter
Prayer and Communion with the Divine
James argues that prayer, in its widest sense, is the very soul and essence of religion, and that its genuineness is bound up with the conviction that something is transacted in the prayerful consciousness.
Mysticism and the Reality of the Unseen
The lecture discusses the subconscious and automatisms in religious experience, suggesting that incursions from the 'transmarginal region' strengthen belief and provide a sense of presence.
Pathology and Genius in Religion
James notes the prevalence of the psychopathic temperament in religious biography and the connection between exalted sensibility and automatisms in religious leaders.
Characters to notice
- William James
Author and lecturer, presenting the lecture on other characteristics of religious life.
- Frederick W. H. Myers
Quoted in a letter about prayer, describing the spiritual universe and the attitude of prayer as an indrawal of spiritual energy.
- George Müller
Cited as a concrete example of a life led by petitional prayer, with his extensive charitable works and reliance on divine provision.
- Saint Paul
Mentioned among religious leaders with automatisms, including visions, ecstasies, and gift of tongues.
- Martin Luther
Listed among Christian saints and heresiarchs who had visions, voices, and rapt conditions.
- George Fox
Mentioned as a religious leader with frequent automatisms and a sense of being under a foreign power.
Key passages
“Prayer in this wide sense is the very soul and essence of religion.”
Prayer, broadly defined as any inner communion with the divine, is the core of religion.
James emphasizes that prayer is not just a ritual but the vital act of the soul seeking connection with the divine.
“The conviction that something is genuinely transacted in this consciousness is the very core of living religion.”
The belief that real interaction occurs during prayer is essential to genuine religious life.
James argues that the authenticity of religion depends on whether prayer is believed to have actual effects.
“In such liability there lie, however, consequences for theology. Beliefs are strengthened wherever automatisms corroborate them.”
The tendency toward automatisms has theological implications, as such experiences reinforce religious beliefs.
James observes that automatic experiences, like visions or voices, can increase conviction in religious individuals.
