THE Divine-human communication or experience has a range of mediums through which it takes place. It may start from a simple prayer or a moment of focus to a truly mystical or spiritual experience leading to a transforming impact, though we experience the Divine all around, day and night, directly or indirectly, through the manifestations of creation.

What we wish to discuss here is that the Divine-human communication may be rooted in, and spring from, the personal experiences of common people, not necessarily of saints or sages. These encounters take place at a more spiritual level, mediated through sociocultural and intellectual contexts. These experiences then are interpreted through a particular language, and a symbolic system (called semiotics) needing interpretation (hermeneutics) at multiple levels. Since these are subtle topics, needing a lengthy discourse, they are not discussed here for reasons of space.

Divine-human communication may be twin-directional: downward and upward (in a metaphorical, not a physical sense). The ‘downward’ communication may involve (Divine) inspiration, revelation, or by opening the ‘heart’ through divulging mysteries by the Divine as and when the Divine wishes. These may be........

© Dawn