The word “numinous” was originated by the philosopher Rudolf Otto, who, coining the word from the Latin word numen, wrote that the essence of holiness was to invoke in the observer a feeling of awe, wonder, and even dread.
John Sanford in his book Mystical Christianity writes that “In the presence of the numinous, we are all believers, for the numinous bypasses rational or logical thought and awakens deeper centers of understanding [and] has the power to compel us to believe in realities that are beyond both ordinary experience and rational comprehension.”
Musicians and artists have attempted to express their own experiences of the numinous, and in doing so, sometimes enable the listener or observer to share in that experience, or have their own numinous experience.
Such a thing cannot be manufactured or manipulated, and when an attempt is made to do so, most people sense it and while perhaps appreciating the work on a more earthly level, will not experience anything more meaningful.
Sometimes, a work of art or music will invoke a numinous experience, even when its original intent was not even intended to do so. The Canadian singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan wrote a song called Angels which was about Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvin, who overdosed on heroin (angel dust) and died in 1996. The song has become an official anthem for when events occur that cause people to seek an answer beyond their own ability to comprehend, often when they are experiencing pain. Numerous people have written about experiences they have had when questioning a life experience, and encountering Sarah’s music at critical moments and finding a way to cope through their pain.
Sometimes, the music or the art becomes the numinous experience itself, both for the audience and the composer or artist. Overwhelmed with tears upon completing the Hallelujah chorus from his oratorio Messiah, Handel is reported to have said “I thought I saw the face of God."
John Sanford in his book Mystical Christianity writes that “In the presence of the numinous, we are all believers, for the numinous bypasses rational or logical thought and awakens deeper centers of understanding [and] has the power to compel us to believe in realities that are beyond both ordinary experience and rational comprehension.”
Musicians and artists have attempted to express their own experiences of the numinous, and in doing so, sometimes enable the listener or observer to share in that experience, or have their own numinous experience.
Such a thing cannot be manufactured or manipulated, and when an attempt is made to do so, most people sense it and while perhaps appreciating the work on a more earthly level, will not experience anything more meaningful.
Sometimes, a work of art or music will invoke a numinous experience, even when its original intent was not even intended to do so. The Canadian singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan wrote a song called Angels which was about Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvin, who overdosed on heroin (angel dust) and died in 1996. The song has become an official anthem for when events occur that cause people to seek an answer beyond their own ability to comprehend, often when they are experiencing pain. Numerous people have written about experiences they have had when questioning a life experience, and encountering Sarah’s music at critical moments and finding a way to cope through their pain.Sometimes, the music or the art becomes the numinous experience itself, both for the audience and the composer or artist. Overwhelmed with tears upon completing the Hallelujah chorus from his oratorio Messiah, Handel is reported to have said “I thought I saw the face of God."
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