Julian of Norwich and Autistic Expressions of Christian Spirituality
Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality September 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1353/scs.2025.a972515 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
An autistic woman scholar examines Julian of Norwich's life through an autistic lens, arguing that Julian's anchoritic spirituality—her need for solitude, intense focus on special interests, and heightened sensory sensitivity—enabled her mystical experiences and the creation of her Revelations. The essay critiques the deficit narrative of autism in psychology and theology, instead framing autistic traits as strengths within spiritual and monastic traditions. It expands understanding of neurodivergent spirituality by grounding it in long-standing practices.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Psychology |
| Key finding | Autistic traits such as a need for solitude, intense focus on special interests, and heightened sensory sensitivity can be seen as enabling spiritual contemplation and creativity, as exemplified by Julian of Norwich. |
Abstract
Abstract:As an autistic woman, I draw on Julian’s writing and the traditions of anchoritic spirituality, women’s visionary literature, and monastic discipline to identify aspects of Julian’s life that resonate with autistic spiritual experience. I provide a critique of the deficit narrative of autism pervading psychology and theology. I examine three characteristics of autism—requiring places of solace, focus on “special interests,” and heightened sensory sensitivity—as enabling Julian to contemplate her mystical experiences and create Revelations. This essay expands our understanding of the spirituality of neurodivergent persons and grounds them in long-standing spiritual practices and monastic-anchoritic disciplines.