of course I get that distinction, LH..., and you may be surpised to know that I respect the 2nd group more! I do not 'trivialize' such experiences....nothing that a person experiences that strongly is 'trivial', I merely question the ultimate causality. As I said, I use the word 'know' in relation to love, and I mean something very strong by it....and....it does not bother me at all to be aware that my usage is emotional and poetic rather than objective and absolute.

I can sing gospel hymns, read poetry about spirit and nature, contemplate the 'essence' of friends who have died, or reflect on my 'inner self', and still understand that I am doing metaphorical exercises. It does not affect the quality of the experience, but it DOES affect how I relate to the possible implications of the experience!
(well...maybe it DOES limit some depths to the experience, if I operate 'as if' it were all metaphorical, but for what it's worth, I am more comfortable "knowing that there are things I can't know".)