1 Extrovertive Mystical Experience
Mystical Encounters with the Natural World July 7, 2005 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/0199279438.003.0002
Summary
Mystical experiences of the natural world, particularly extrovertive experiences, are explored through detailed accounts and a feature list. These experiences may not always be sensory in nature, challenging some existing theories. Survey studies indicate that a small but significant proportion of people in the US and UK have encountered extrovertive unity, especially in milder forms. Evidence suggests that these experiences predate Romantic influences and have roots in religious traditions.
Study at a glance
| Population | US and UK populations |
|---|---|
| Key finding | A small but significant proportion of the US and UK populations have familiarity with extrovertive unity, particularly in its milder forms. |
Abstract
AbstractKey questions about mystical experiences of the natural world are addressed.What are the experiences like? Some detailed accounts of extrovertive experience, and a feature list of their common or notable characteristics are provided. Are extrovertive experiences necessarily sense-mediated? Unlike many theorists, the author does not assume that extrovertive contact with the world is always through sensory channels. How common are the experiences? The results of survey studies suggest that a small but significant proportion of the US and UK populations have some familiarity with extrovertive unity, at least in its milder forms. Are the experiences a recent development, inspired by Romantic thinkers, or do they have precedents in the world’ s religious traditions? Although not definitive, the evidence suggests that extrovertive experience long pre-dates its Romantic expressions.