Mystical techniques, mental processes, and states of consciousness in Abraham Abulafia’s Kabbalah: A reassessment
Archive for the Psychology of Religion July 1, 2019 Vadim Putzu
Abraham Abulafia's Kabbalah involves hyperactivation of the mind, contrasting with the mental relaxation found in other religious mystical practices. Current scholars emphasize this unique character and argue it cannot be compared to hypnosis. This article challenges that view, arguing that Abulafian techniques and experiences can be understood through a model drawing from psychiatrist Roland Fischer, offering a more inclusive interpretation that connects these practices to hypnotic procedures, processes, and states.