Have you ever gazed up at a starry sky, feeling both awed and overwhelmed by its vastness and the mysteries it holds? That indescribable sense of wonder—where words fail to capture the full depth of the experience—is precisely what apophatic language in religion aims to convey in spiritual traditions worldwide.
Apophatic Theology: Describing the Divine Through Negation
Unlike conventional religious language that focuses on positive descriptions of the divine—such as “loving” or “all-powerful”—apophatic language approaches the sacred through negation. It acknowledges that human language is inherently limited and cannot fully grasp the ultimate reality. Terms like “Ein Sof” (the Infinite) in Judaism or “Dao” (the Way) in Taoism point to a reality that transcends human comprehension. This is not a denial of God’s existence but rather an acknowledgment that God exists beyond the constraints of human definition. In the context of a religion of peace, spiritual attainment is seen as achievable only through practices that help us move beyond the ordinary limitations of language and thought.
Apophatic Theology Examples Across Religions
Across faiths, apophatic language in religion serves as a method to point beyond the limits of human understanding. Each offers a unique apophatic theology example that reflects the ineffability of the divine:
- In Hinduism, the concept of “neti neti,” meaning “not this, not this,” is a classic apophatic theology example. It suggests that rather than defining God by specific qualities, the best we can do is describe what God is not—hence, the Hindu principle of “neti neti.”
- The Jewish philosopher Maimonides argued that God can only be described by what He is not, deepening the sense of divine mystery. The Torah reinforces this idea, stating, “You cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live” (Exodus 33:20).
- Buddhism, particularly in the Mahayana tradition, employs apophatic elements in the concept of Sunyata (Emptiness). The Heart Sutra’s statement, “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form,” points to an ultimate reality beyond dualistic concepts.
Apophatic Language in Philosophy and the Upanishads
The Western philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein held a view remarkably similar to those found in the Hindu Upanishads. He believed that language could express only what is sayable, while the mystical—the unsayable—lies beyond words. The Upanishads also recognize the limitations of language in describing the ultimate reality, known as Brahman.
The Power of Apophatic Theology in the Religion of Peace
The Apophatic theology example found in many traditions is unexpectedly powerful. It prevents us from fashioning a God in our own image—a being we can control, endowed with human-like qualities. Instead, it emphasizes the divine mystery, sparking a sense of awe and wonder that goes beyond specific religious doctrines. In a world preoccupied with categorization and control, apophatic language offers a refreshing alternative—a space for contemplation and a connection to the sacred that resonates with the deepest human longing for the ineffable. This understanding can be particularly meaningful in the context of a religion of peace, which seeks to unite humanity in its pursuit of spiritual truth.
Insightful Quotes on Apophatic Language
These reflections from various traditions show how sacred words are often used only to hint at what ultimately lies beyond them.
- Modern Philosophy
“What can be said at all can be said clearly, and what we cannot talk about we must pass over in silence.”
— Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosopher - Hinduism
“About this self (atman), one can only say ‘not—, not—’ (neti neti). He is ungraspable, for he cannot be grasped. He is undecaying, for he is not subject to decay. He has nothing sticking to him, for he does not stick to anything. He is not bound; yet he neither trembles in fear nor suffers injury.”
— Bṛhadāraṇyaka, Hindu scripture - Islam
“Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.”
— Rumi, Sufi mystic and poet - Baha’i
“That which we imagine is not the Reality of God; He, the Unknowable, the Unthinkable, is far beyond the highest conception of man.”
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Baha’i leader - Buddhism
“To the end he [The Buddha] remained for them half light, half shadow, defying complete intelligibility. So they called him Sakyamuni, ‘silent sage (muni) of the Sakya clan,’ symbol of something that could not be described.”
— Huston Smith, scholar of religion - Taoism
“Sages don’t reveal the Way because they keep it secret, but because it can’t be revealed. Thus their words are like footsteps that leave no tracks.”
— Ch’eng Chu, commentary on Tao Te Ching - Judaism
“God’s existence is absolute and it includes no composition and we comprehend only the fact that He exists, not His essence. Consequently, it is a false assumption to hold that He has any positive attribute […] however, the negative attributes are necessary to direct the mind to the truths which we must believe.”
— Maimonides, medieval Torah scholar - Christianity
“If you understand [something], it is not God.”
— St. Augustine of Hippo - Confucianism
“To say you know when you know, and to say you do not when you do not, that is knowledge.”
— The Analects (2:17), Confucian text - Sikhism
“No one knows the state of the Lord. The Yogis, the celibates, the austere penitents, and all sorts of clever people have failed.”
— Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh scripture
Conclusion
In a world often defined by noise, certainty, and control, apophatic language in religion invites us to pause and to honour the sacred not through definitions, but through silence, humility, and awe. Like sacred music that stirs the soul without explaining itself, this language opens a doorway to mystery, where the divine is felt rather than described. For a religion of peace, such an approach fosters inner stillness and shared reverence, creating space for reflection, connection, and ultimately, a flourishing life rooted not in knowing everything, but in trusting what lies beyond words.
FAQs on Apophatic Theology
Who invented apophatic theology?
Apophatic theology has roots in early Christian thinkers like Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, but similar ideas appear across many ancient religious traditions.
What is an example of apophatic theology?
An example is the Hindu concept of “neti neti” (not this, not this), which expresses the divine by describing what it is not rather than what it is.
What is apophatic language in religion?
Apophatic language describes the divine through negation, acknowledging that human words can’t fully capture ultimate reality.
Why is apophatic language important in religion?
Apophatic language helps believers embrace the mystery of the divine, encouraging humility and a deeper spiritual connection beyond fixed definitions.
Which religions use apophatic theology?
Apophatic theology appears in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and other traditions, reflecting a common way to express the divine.
About the author:
Akhilesh Gupta is the founder of the UEF Foundation and a Fellow of the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative. He previously served as senior managing director at Blackstone and held leadership roles at Reliance Industries and Hindustan Unilever.
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