ipl-logo

Mystical States Of Consciousness Analysis

1216 Words5 Pages

William James believed in two distinct ideas that both have a place in religion in James’ eyes. One of them is that mystical states of consciousness play a role in personal religious experiences. The second is the act in which an individual worship, the essence and soul of ones religion.
The essay is aimed to compare and contrast the notions of mystical states of consciousness and prayer, while taking into consideration the importance in which James holds said notion and concluding with my personal beliefs
James describes the mystical states of consciousness as holding a vital role in personal religious experience. Distinguished in four characteristics james contextualizes what is mystical. Firstly; ineffability which presents the idea that …show more content…

(380). Secondly, noetic quality; described as mystic experiences rooted in states of knowledge. They are filled with illuminations, revelations that carry an authority for years to come (381). Thirdly, transiency, states simply that mystical states cannot be sustained for long. They don’t last long but the more a person tries to reproduce the memory and have others along with it; the richer and more internally developed than ever (381). Lastly, passivity, described as an overwhelming mystic feeling, credited as the gateway to prophecy and spiritual teaching. It is a secondary personality coming from the interaction or mystic experience of being grasped by a superior power (381). Therefore, the mystical states of consciousness can be interpreted through internal feeling, encouraging growth of knowledge and authority and timing and recollections as a role in internal development. Moreover, mystic experiences …show more content…

Tennyson’s experience is described as a vivid dream-like sensation. “Moreover, something is or seems, That touches me with mystic gleams, Like glimpses of forgotten dreams -- "Of something felt, like something here; Of something done, I know not where; Such as no language may declare.” J.A Symonds’ described near death experience perhaps exemplifies, taking into account the administered anesthetics, an extreme form of mysticism and it’s role with religions. Symonds’ testimonial supports the notion of the profound effect that such experiences have on the individual. “I thought that I was near death; when, suddenly, my soul became aware of God, who was manifestly dealing with me, handling me, so to speak, in an intense personal present reality” (391). Saint Teresa’s passage is the most striking exhibition of the respective states of consciousness. “our soul is so deeply attached to god that if an individuals body be torn to pieces for the cause of god; it would be comfortable doing so due to that degree because of the courage the soul feels during this religious mysticism.” Chritianity has always been quite mystics. The basis of the system is prayer, the methodical elevation of the soul towards God. Saint teresa

Show More
Related

  • Dr. Mary Neal's Life After Death

    1701 Words  | 7 Pages

    The experiences patients go through are one like no other. They come to, “...express a spiritual realm and a loving presence that some refer to as God…” (Lichfield). During this period they might also come, “into contact with relatives that have been deceased, and at the same time, recalling previous events that occured in one's life” (Lichfield). These experiences have been documented to change people's lives as some go on to new professions and ending marriages as a result of their subconscious experience.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down By Anne Fadiman

    842 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Their seizures are thought to be evidence that they have the power to perceive things other people cannot see, as well as facilitating their entry into trances, a prerequisite for their journeys into the realm of the unseen” (Fadiman 21). Known as the quag dab peg ‘when you fall the spirit catches you’ are said to be the “most treasured possessions a person can have” (Fadiman 22). Which was considered to be a calling to become a host of a healing spirit. The author kept up to date through Lee’s tragic experience with translation complications, inequality and culture shock. Little did she know that she would be witnessing a “collision” as one doctor called it.

    Read More

  • What Is The Theme Of The Screwtape Letters By Cs Lewis

    1400 Words  | 6 Pages

    C. S. Lewis takes an interesting standpoint in this book. He takes what a normal Christian would usually think and twists it into a full 180 degrees. Not only does C. S. Lewis challenge Christians to take a different view of the spiritual battle taking place within the lives of every person, but Lewis also causes their faith to possibly grow. There are five main viewpoints examined throughout this essay; Anthropology, Bibliology, Theology, Christology, and Soteriology.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Altered States Of Consciousness In North American Indian Ceremonials

    712 Words  | 3 Pages

    The document “Altered States of Consciousness in North American Indian Ceremonials” by Wolfgang G. Jilek, explores the theme of religion as a mode of knowledge by examining two rituals of the Native American Sioux and Salish Tribes, the Sun Dance, and the Spirit Dance. In this document, beginning with the Salish Spirit Dance, Jilek analyzes the significance of each dance, arguing that the Native Americans perform these dances to experience sensations from religious ecstasy, or from spirits, ancestors, or deities (Jilek, 326). Essentially, the Native Americans believed that by performing these dances, after undergoing several trials, they would receive a dream or message from these entities (335). One example of this is when Jilek examines

    Read More

  • Rationalism In Rudolf Otto's The Idea Of The Holy

    1021 Words  | 5 Pages

    The human mind’s ability and innate desire to justify and explain the world and its phenomena has led to some of the most significant and world-altering discoveries and inventions, illustrated throughout the renaissance, enlightenment, scientific revolution, and industrial revolution. Logical pursuits comprise a significant capstone of human nature and progress. However, according to Rudolf Otto in The Idea of the Holy, these tendencies have created different dimensions of religion; the rational and non-rational, with the latter often times overlooked. The most significant difference between the rational and non-rational aspects of religion deal with their respective emphasis on reason and feeling. Rudolph Otto prioritizes the non-rational as offering a truer understanding of religion because he claims the core of all religious life revolves around experiences and feeling, not simply rational thought.

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Screwtape Letters By C. S. Lewis

    1193 Words  | 5 Pages

    C. S. Lewis takes an interesting stand point in this book. He takes what a normal Christian would usually think and twists it into a full 180 degrees. Not only does C. S. Lewis challenge Christians to take a different view of the spiritual battle taking place within the lives of every person but Lewis also causes their face to possibly grow. There are five main viewpoints that will be discussed and examined throughout this essay; Anthropology, Bibliology, Theology, Christology, and Soteriology.

    Read More

  • Western Esotericism In Religious Studies

    1268 Words  | 6 Pages

    In comprehending why Esotericism should be studied as part of Religious Studies, it is essential to explore the concept of Transmutation, which is prominently seen to emphasise individual experience in attaining self- empowerment through achieving inner-knowledge. This also coherently links to the Esoteric concept of Gnosticism, with a focus on tradition/transmission paralleling the master/teacher relationship commonly seen within religious practice. This opinion is supported to through the growth of New Age Activities in Western society, for example meditation, in which the concept of Philosophia Perrenis is commonly seen to be explored. Similarly, another parallel between religion and esotericism is the combined beliefs of the Esoteric and the religious thinker, supported through the example of Jung, with his concept of the Self “principium individuationis,” (1944)) coherently connecting individual religious experience with elements of

    Read More

  • Karen Armstrong Void Analysis

    1011 Words  | 5 Pages

    Karen Armstrong and Robert Thurman wrote their essays, “Homo religiosus” and “Wisdom”, respectively, describing two words, “being” and “void”. These words, although have opposite meanings, describe the same spiritual experience that come about through different means. By definition, “being” is a kind of fullness or completeness of existence and “void” is emptiness or a negation of existence. Armstrong believes that “being” is the equivalent of the Buddhist’s “Nirvana” while Thurman believes that “void” is the equivalent of the Buddhist’s “Nirvana”. Although these terms seem to be opposite in the literal sense of defining them, they lead to the same outcome: not being at the center of one’s own universe.

    Read More

  • Summary: Perspectives On SPIRIT Baptism

    1730 Words  | 7 Pages

    Hart is a contemporary version of Dr. Horton’s very formal style. However, Hart combines the tradition of Pentecostalism with the reality of Charismatic experiences. Harts uses a dimensional concept to explain his insight. First he refers to the Paschal Dimension, Purifying Dimension, and the Pentecostal Dimension. Instead of trying to completely segregate Lucan passages to empowering references of the Holy Spirit and Pauline passages to soteriological or indwelling references, Hart blends to two together by taking both sides of the initiation – subsequence controversy.

    Read More

  • Psy 201 Week 9 Final Exam Essay

    2185 Words  | 9 Pages

    Kegan says that a strong focus on self-discipline exists in this stage, such as praying, meditation and fasting. Illumination: An increased connection with others. “A deeper, more prolonged awareness of light, or greater reality, or God.” The person in this stage regarding the mystical theory is said to experience pleasure/satisfaction because they reached illumination, however, Underhill states that “pleasure or satisfaction must be abandoned if the individual is to continue the self-transcendent journey.”

    Read More

  • Christianity, Ninian Smart's Seven Dimensions Of Religion

    719 Words  | 3 Pages

    In relation to Christianity, Ninian Smart’s Seven Dimensions of religion seem to all be at play and sometimes overlap between dimensions. But because Christianity is such a vast religion with many subdivisions and differing views, certain dimensions that are consistent throughout the differing sects play a greater role than other dimensions that are less consistent across sects. Consistently prioritized in this religion are the aspects of the ritual or practical dimension, the ethical or legal dimension, and the experiential or emotional dimension. For Christianity, the ritual or practical dimension applies to the various forms of worship, prayer, and other practices of the Christian church.

    Read More

  • Symbols In Medusa's Hair

    1044 Words  | 5 Pages

    Since religious experiences are inevitably connected with the given locations and thus cultures, they naturally impose the existence of the social relations redefined from the perspective of worship. Therefore, by invoking to the religion, the participants correlate the symbol to the macrocosm it actually represents (Greenwood, 48). This serves as a fundamental reason for using a religious symbol by an individual experiencing personal challenges. The change of perspective allows for creating its total opposite. Therefore, by “[converting] patient into priest,” victim is transformed into a powerful religious entity (Obeyesekere, 393).

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Religious Experience

    953 Words  | 4 Pages

    These experiences are concerned with three topics. 1) “Similarly between religious experiences and how do they support the existence of God? 2) What philosophical problems are there that these experiences can give us knowledge about God? 3) Is there alternative explanation for experience?” William James described religious experiences as the heart of every religion.

    Read More

  • Essay On Fibonacci Sequence

    712 Words  | 3 Pages

    Spirit moves you step by step miraculous experiences for your complete

    Read More

  • What Feeds The Human Compulsion To Connect With The Divine

    1146 Words  | 5 Pages

    4. What feeds the human compulsions to connect with the divine? How closely related are religious rapture and sexual ecstasy? And, why, through the ages, have we persistently searched and yearned for miracles?

    Read More

More about Mystical States Of Consciousness Analysis

Open Document