Final answer:
W.T. Stace identified two common mythical experiences in all religions: encounters with the supernatural and mystical experiences of union with the divine, both constituting the core of religious experience and consensus mysticum.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to W.T. Stace, a philosopher and perennialist shared by many theorists, there are two types of mythical experiences common to all religions:
- Encounter with the supernatural – This refers to the experience of coming into contact with a deity or divine being, or a reality that transcends the ordinary physical world.
- Mystical experience – This is characterized by a profound sense of union or communion with the deity or the supernatural, often described as indescribable and transformative.
These experiences form the basis of what many call religious experience, a conviction or sensation of connection to the divine. The sense of encountering something greater than oneself or the ordinary reality is central to the religious nature of humans, leading to a hypothesis of a supernatural reality. This commonality in experiences across different cultures and religions is known as the consensus mysticum.
In conclusion, the two mythical experiences that Stace states are common to all religion are an encounter with the supernatural and a mystical experience involving union with the divine.