Mystical Experience in the Spectrum of Altered States of Consciousness: Overlapping Discourses of Theology and Secular Sciences
Yuliya M. Duplinskaya, M. Shugurov
Философия и культура October 1, 2022 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2022.10.38787 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
The article conceptually distinguishes genuine mystical experience from surrogate quasi-mystical states by examining altered states of consciousness. It identifies infra-personal processes (dissolving or spreading 'I') that correspond to both mystical dissolution and clinical conditions like confused consciousness, and ultrapersonal processes (scattering of reality into many spirits or projections) that align with both mystical experiences and schizophrenic-type disorders. The authors find that neo-mystical practices often achieve altered states through accelerated programs, but modern consciousness may invert destructive processes, mistaking them for evolutionary progress, and sometimes treats science as a new religion to support occultism.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Genuine mystical experience can be conceptually distinguished from surrogate quasi-mystical states by examining infra-personal and ultrapersonal processes in altered states of consciousness, where neo-mystical practices risk inverting destructive processes into perceived evolutionary progress. |
Abstract
The subject of the study is the mystical experience as a kind of altered states of consciousness. The purpose of the article is to solve at the conceptual level the problem of distinguishing genuine mystical experience and various kinds of surrogate states with quasi-mystical content. The theoretical basis for solving this problem was the study of the panorama of moments of divergence and convergence of discourses of the humanities and natural sciences, as well as theology. In the course of the conducted research, the infra-personal processes going on in the vector of the dissolving and spreading "I" were revealed. They correspond to both mystical (dissolution in the Deity, in emptiness, in cosmic consciousness, etc.) and clinical states (confused or floating consciousness). The authors also consider in detail the ultrapersonal processes occurring within the framework of the dissemination of personal consciousness and which correspond to both mystical (the scattering of reality into many spirits, souls, astral projections and quasi-persona) and clinical conditions (schizophrenic type disorders). The novelty of the article lies in revealing the diverse directions of inauthentic mystical experience based on the systematic study of altered states of consciousness, as well as in determining the range in which an outlet to authentic forms of mystical experience can open. It has been established that in the spectrum of infra-personal and ultra-personal states there is such a feature of mystical and occult practices with the prefix "neo" as the achievement of mystical states according to the "accelerated course" programs. However, due to the inversion of the view characteristic of modern consciousness, in the ideology of neo-mysticism, destructive processes are often perceived as a new, higher stage in the evolution of mankind. With this interpretation, conditions arise for the perception of science as a "new religion", as well as the desire to find in scientific concepts a support for modern occultism and neo-mysticism.