How Is Skydiving A Religious Experience?

Before you start backing away, waving your hands and saying “whoa, whoa, whoa,” we’d like to invite you to hear us out about this a little. Sure, we’re getting into — well — philosophically interesting territory, but you might be surprised about the conclusion of this little foray. Let’s try it on for size, shall we?

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, a “religious experience” is a “specific experience such as wonder at the infinity of the cosmos, the sense of awe and mystery in the presence of the sacred or holy, feeling of dependence on a divine power or an unseen order, […], or the feeling of peace that follows faith in divine forgiveness. Some thinkers also point to a religious aspect to the purpose of life and the destiny of the individual.”

As we all know, a lot of people in this world are searching for a way to rise above their troubles — to transcend the frustrations that separate us from our very best selves. We’re here to tell you that lots of people use skydiving to do just that — and that the experience of doing so can be, by some interpretation, religious.

Wonder at the Infinity of the Cosmos

When was that last time you did something that made you truly feel humbled and awed by the immensity of all creation? We’re willing to bet it’s been a while. And we’re willing to bet that you, like all the other new (and very experienced) skydivers who have gone before you, will be reeling with wonder at the infinity of the cosmos once you step out into the sky.

The Sense of Awe and Mystery in the Presence of the Sacred or Holy

There’s something that all religious experiences seem to have in common, no matter what type of religious experience they happen to be. That commonality is the revelation of truly enormous potential that exists within and without the self — potential that the observer wasn’t previously aware of. That feels sacred. Deeply sacred. And that’s skydiving.

When you land, you feel profoundly awake, perhaps for the first time in a long time, perhaps for the first time in your entire life. You’ll realize what you’re capable of; what incredible feats you have at the ready. And once you’ve made that jump, you’ll never go back to spiritual sleep. You’re really, truly present on the planet now. You’ve seen things. You’ve felt things. You’re different.

A Feeling of Dependence on a Divine Power or an Unseen Order

Skydiving is a calculated, intelligent, mindful risk — but, like everything else that’s worth doing, it is a risk. When you step out that door, it’s an act that fills your heart with a crystal-clear, beautiful faith.

And that faith will keep on truckin’ long after your jump…because, now that you’ve jumped out of a “perfectly good airplane,” what other “impossible” things in your life really aren’t? What horizons do you seek to conquer? What would give your life even more meaning?

Skydiving  opens up your world. It makes you consider the full range of possibilities this life spreads out for you on its big, crazy buffet table. Skydiving is so much more than the amusement park ride you might think it is — for many of us, it’s straight-up church. For everyone, it’s a game-changer. And we’d like to give you that spiritual fistbump! Come fly with us.