Significance of Personal experience
Personal experience is a multifaceted concept across various philosophical and spiritual traditions. In Jainism, it emphasizes unique personal insights gained through spiritual engagement. Tibetan Buddhism highlights subjective awareness that validates independent sense perception. Vaishnavism focuses on individual encounters with the divine, which provide tangible insights into spiritual truths. Similarly, in Purana and other teachings, personal experience underscores firsthand knowledge and realizations derived from direct involvement in one's spiritual journey or life events, shaping individual understanding and beliefs.
Synonyms: Life experience, Individual experience, Personal insight, Personal knowledge, Direct experience, Own experience
In Dutch: Persoonlijke ervaring; In Finnish: Henkilökohtainen kokemus; In Spanish: Experiencia personal; In German: Persönliche Erfahrung; In Malay: Pengalaman peribadi; In Swedish: Personlig erfarenhet; In French: Expérience personnelle
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Personal experience'
Personal experience in Buddhism encompasses firsthand knowledge beyond hearsay, recollection of past events, subjective awareness supporting independent sense-perception, individual insights documented by practitioners, and unique realizations of a Private Buddha that remain inexpressible.
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The firsthand knowledge that an ariya possesses, contrary to hearsay.[1] (2) The insights and realizations that a Private Buddha has but cannot articulate or share with others.[2]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) The individual insights and realizations documented by various bhikkhus and lay disciples.[3]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) The act of recalling or remembering events or situations from one’s own past.[4]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The subjective awareness and understanding one has, which validates the idea of sense-perception being independent of conceptual thought.[5]
Hindu concept of 'Personal experience'
Personal experience in Hinduism emphasizes subjective spiritual encounters, direct knowledge of Truth, individual insights, and firsthand encounters with the divine. It reflects deeper connections and understanding shaped by direct observation and spiritual practices, distinct from theoretical knowledge.
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Direct, firsthand encounters or realizations that individuals have on their spiritual journeys.[6] (2) The direct witnessing of an event that leads to emotional reactions, in this case, the crying of Shri Krishna.[7] (3) These refer to the unique realizations and encounters of Shri Gopa-kumara that he deems as credible and influential evidence of spiritual truths.[8] (4) The individual insights and feelings that are reflected in the sentiment towards Shri Nanda and Shri Yashoda.[9] (5) Individual encounters or understandings that allow for a more relatable description of the behavior of devotees, differing from abstract qualities.[10]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) Emphasizes that the speaker's observations about the Lord's ways come from direct interaction and not mere hearsay, grounding their understanding in lived reality.[11] (2) Refers to Nanciyar's first-hand observations that contrast the behavior of spiritual seekers with that of the general populace regarding temple visits.[12] (3) The individual encounter of the Alvar with the divine, highlighting a deeper spiritual connection.[13]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Indicating that the speaker has first-hand knowledge of the situation.[14] (2) The firsthand witnessing of the six-armed form by Shri Nityananda Prabhu, which serves as the basis for the subsequent discussion and descriptions.[15]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) The first-hand insight or understanding one gains through direct observation or spiritual realization.[16]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) Direct, immediate knowledge of the Truth that an individual must acquire, as opposed to secondhand information.[17] (2) The direct and subjective understanding of the Self, which distinguishes true knowledge from mere theoretical understanding.[18]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) Personal experience is mentioned as a context in which the true nature of the individual soul can be misperceived due to the absence of discriminative knowledge.[19]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) Through personal experience, one realizes that true and lasting happiness cannot solely arise from material sources or earthly desires.[20]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The insights and knowledge gained through one's own life experiences, which are emphasized as key to true understanding.[21]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) An individual's encounter with reality that reflects broader cosmic concepts.[22]
From: Kautilya Arthashastra
(1) Knowledge or skills obtained through direct involvement and participation in events, particularly in assessing someone's affectionate and philanthropic nature.[23]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) Individual encounters and realizations that shape one’s understanding and beliefs, especially in the context of faith and spirituality.[24]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) The author's anecdotes related to opium use, shaping insights on cultural practices in India.[25]
The concept of Personal experience in local and regional sources
Personal experience encapsulates firsthand emotional insights and unique life events that shape a poet's work, enhancing relatability and depth in literature, while influencing understanding, spirituality, and artistic expression across various authors and genres.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Knowledge or skill acquired through firsthand involvement in activities or situations.[26] (2) The individual life events that Thoreau documented in his journals, serving as the basis for his literary works.[27] (3) Refers to the lived experiences of the author, contributing depth and authenticity to the narrative.[28] (4) An individual's unique encounters and perceptions that shape their understanding of life.[29] (5) Refers to the real-life experiences that inform Narayan's fictional works, particularly his autobiography.[30]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This is the sole means by which the concept of reincarnation can be substantiated, as the proof is valid only for the individual experiencing it, and not for others.[31] (2) The text emphasizes encounters that involve individual involvement, where the narrator shares firsthand knowledge gained through their own direct interactions with the subject.[32]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) Individual life experiences that inform one's insights and understanding.[33]
The concept of Personal experience in scientific sources
Personal experience enriches the credibility of health practices in the book by drawing from the author’s life and individual insights, which deepen the understanding of Medha and enhance the overall knowledge base.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) An individual's direct involvement or encounter with something, shaping their beliefs and perceptions.[34] (2) Personal experience is related to resilience level, and it is one of the factors that can influence the level of resilience, according to the information provided.[35]