In his book  , the German theologian  , argued that there was one common factor to all religious experience,  . It is independent of the cultural background and is about a feeling. In particular, it is about the experience of the holy. However, the word ‘holy’ has many associations, so he used the word ‘ ’ (Latin for ‘divine presence'). It is something that is ‘wholly other’ than the natural world, and beyond comprehension.

He analysed this type of experience in terms of the Latin phrase  . The   component of the numinous experience comprises of three elements:
  – inspiring awe
  – inspires feeling of humility
  – impression of vigour and compelling.

The   component has two elements:
  – totally outside our normal experience
  – the person is caught up in the experience.