2000_Childhood Experiences and Spiritual Giftedness

One hundred years ago, William James’ study of religious experience was based on reports of spiritually gifted adults. Modern investigators found that when adults were asked about a spiritual experience of lasting significance in their lives, many described an event from childhood. These reports show that children are capable of authentic spiritual experiences of divine presence. God-in-everything, energy shimmering in living things, all-embracing unity and oneness, and much more, comparable to experiences of the great mystics. Moreover, some children on their own have discovered techniques for entering the joyful state of heightened consciousness. Recently advanced arguments for spiritual intelligence prepare the ground for recognition of spiritual giftedness, as distinct from other facets of giftedness.