Please complete an essay of approximately 500 words in length addressing the following questions. Please be sure to include at least one reference with your assignment and use correct APA format for your citations and paper layout.
1) Define and describe a mystical experience as understood within philosophy of Hinduism.
2) Mystical experiences are usually life changing to those who experience them. Describe the positive and/or negative experiences of a mystic from Hinduism.
3) What sort of life style is conducive to mystical experiences? Is this kind of life style common in the United States of America? Does the relationship between life style and mystical experiences strengthen or weaken claims of mystical experience?
4) Are mystical experiences real encounters with the divine, or is something else going on? If real, how so? If something else, what else?