I bought my copy of The Varieties of Religious Experience when I read that Ebby Thacher had recommended it to Bill W. Bill went on to reference it as a key resource in forming the spiritual aspect of AA’s 12-step program. It is a significant exploration of human encounters with the divine. James was a philosopher and psychologist who had a long tenure at Harvard. His approach to the topic blends viewpoints from these two perspectives well.
A couple of things to keep in mind: first, the book was published in 1902. It is from a series of lectures he delivered at the University of Edinburg in Scotland in 1901, known as the Gifford lectures. Secondly, the content was meant for an academic audience, and the language of the time was quite different from what is spoken or written in modern times. As a result, there are areas of the book that are challenging to understand unless you are an academic versed in psychology or philosophy. Fortunately, it is only a fraction of the book, and if one pushes through those areas, incredible insights can be had.
The book’s point is to demonstrate the vast ways a person may encounter religious experiences and that these experiences are deeply personal and subjective. He approaches the book through the documented experiences of individuals rather than a study of dogmatic frameworks. This is especially helpful to the reader, as we have tangible experiences to draw on as psychological and philosophical analysis is put forth. This makes the book far more accessible to the average reader than if it were offered as a purely intellectual discussion.
Another compelling aspect of the book is James’s pragmatism. He grounds the discussion, focusing on the practical outcomes of religious life rather than abstract metaphysical debates. The one thing he does not do in the book is outline any definitive conclusions. The book is more for those interested in exploring this fascinating topic and drawing their conclusions. Readers who expect black-and-white answers on divine issues will not find them here.
The breadth of the type of religious experiences in the book will stretch the average reader’s view on the topic. James uses a broad definition of religious experiences, so one will find examples outside of what we might consider traditionally as a religion. Bill W was not religious, yet he had a “white light” experience, or his “hot flash,” as some AAs said. While he experienced the divine, he was not converted into a traditional religious person.
The Varieties of Religious Experience is a timeless classic. It helps bridge the gap between science and spirituality in ways that are as relevant today as they were over a century ago. It offers an opportunity to broaden the reader’s mind and consider religious experiences as fluid and varied versus rigidly structured in dogma. Anyone interested in spirituality, in general, will love this book. It will benefit someone still seeking a Higher Power and struggling to understand how spirituality may manifest in individuals.
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