Fashioning the Word-Tool: The Instrumental Character of the Word in Yogic Mantra Meditation and Phenomenology
Philosophy East & West March 25, 2021 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1353/pew.2021.0023 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
This essay brings together ideas about language from yogic mantra meditation and phenomenology. It argues that phenomenologists can learn about the formative experiences that shape linguistic meaning from mantra meditators. In turn, phenomenology provides a fresh viewpoint on debates in mantra research about whether mantras are linguistic.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Phenomenology and yogic mantra meditation can mutually inform each other's understanding of language and meaning. |
Abstract
Abstract:This essay combines insights into the nature of language from yogic mantra meditation and phenomenology. I argue that phenomenologists can gain insights into the formative experiences that shape linguistic meaning from mantra meditators. Meanwhile, phenomenology can offer an original perspective on debates in mantra research concerning the linguisticality of mantras.