"Whether it takes the form of awe, reverence, or terror, fear is often an integral part of spirituality. Sometimes fear precedes spiritual experience, sometimes it accompanies it, and sometimes it is the residue the event leaves behind. When we brush up against something that is far greater than us, something that almost defies our comprehension, it is not always a pleasant experience. The same can be true when we encounter the ultimate transcendent force, God. We may become distressed and scared. We may feel powerless and vulnerable. Many mystics write about the role of these feelings in their own religious encounters."