Post constructivist Approaches to Mysticism
The Innate Capacity December 4, 1997 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195116977.003.0010
Summary
The classic view of mysticism highlights its unity across different cultures, suggesting that mystics, despite being unknown to one another, use similar language to describe the same experiences. This perspective posits that mysticism represents a common state of consciousness present in nearly all religions, recognized as the ultimate aim of the religious journey by those capable of understanding it.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | Mysticism is presented as a common state of consciousness across various religions, described similarly by mystics from different cultures. |
|---|
Abstract
Abstract The classic approach to mysticism emphasizes its unity. It points to striking parallels in the language used by mystics from different cultures who were unknown to each other and concludes that they describe the same experience. Hence, it presents mysticism as involving a state of consciousness found in virtually all religions, recog-nizably the same in each, and acknowledged by those who have eyes to see as the highest goal of the religious quest.