How does one tell the difference between actual divine revelation, and mere mental illness?

DISCLAIMER FOR ANY JURIES CALLED ON THIS POST: I AM IN NO WAY SAYING ALL BELIEVERS ARE MENTALLY ILL.

In a Carmelite monastery on the outskirts of Los Angeles, life has continued virtually unchanged for centuries. Here, Sister John of the Cross lives in the service of God. She is the only nun who experiences visions and is regarded by the others as a spiritual master. But Sister John's is also plagued by powerful headaches and when a doctor reveals that they may be dangerous, she faces a devastating choice. Is this grace merely an illness and will a 'cure' mean the end of her illuminations and a soul dry and searching?
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136228.Lying_Awake

Last edited Mon Feb 1, 2016, 11:53 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm not interested in discussing results. I'm interested in discussing the METHOD that leads to these results.

I'm trying to understand the mindset of belief: The development of the scientific method began some 550 years ago. Before that (and even for about 300 years time after that) the underlying philosophical and mental premises of the scientific method were so outlandish and inconcievable that scientific thinking would have qualified as insanity and/or heresy rightaway.

The ways of thinking were radically different back then, on a fundamental, psychological level. And I'm trying to understand how one tackles a problem without using the scientific method.

Belief DOES work for me, has enriched my life enormously and brought insights and benefits that I cherish deeply.

The problem in explaining "how to do it" to someone else is simple:

As far as I can tell, it works differently for everyone.

That doesn't mean that there aren't common elements that work for a lot of people- a wise elder I learn much from is fond of saying "Everyone has part of your answer, but only you and your journey can compile the parts into your next question."

I've learned about the value of disciplined practice from some believers. About the importance of mindful attention to inspiration from others. About the complex relationship between body, mind, and spirit from others. About the commonalities of the soul's quest from a number of theologies, and about illuminating definitions of important terms from many more.

I'm fairly sure that if I described my belief in detail it would be unsatisfactory to most people, or even provocative of contempt, anger and/or dismissal from others depending on whether they were orthodox believers in a particular theology, passionate non-believers, or dedicated followers of a particular non-theological belief path they perceive as Universal.

I can't describe a step-by-step process, though, because for me it doesn't happen that way. The journey is the process, and it takes all kinds of turns and byways that have nothing to do with an internally-generated map.

I guess the closest I can come is to say, throw away the map and attend to the journey, one day at a time. At some point, look in the rearview mirror, and the gifts of insight will appear, you may take them into the heart and the spirit, the journey will become richer.

Eventually, you will be able to do this without the rearview mirror- you'll be able to be in the day, attending to the journey, and you will recognize the gifts around you right here, right now.

responsively,
Bright