Religions
October 18, 2022
Paul Marshall
4 citations
Mystical experiences often involve a profound sense of contacting deeper realities or seeing the everyday world as it truly is, yet philosophy has largely neglected their metaphysical significance, especially insights into reality, self, consciousness, and time. This article identifies two major obstacles to finding metaphysical significance in such experiences: radical contextualism and reductionist neuroscience. After addressing these obstacles, the author argues that dialogue between mystical experience and metaphysics is now possible, aided by growing interest in alternatives to materialist metaphysics and renewed attention to mystical experiences from psychedelic research.
Filozofija i drustvo
January 1, 2025
Paul Marshall
Cosmopsychism, the view that the universe as a whole has subjectivity, is explored by considering what that cosmic subjectivity might be like. Philosophical opinions vary widely, from the universe being a mere mess to being highly advanced. Mystical experiences that produce a sense of unity or identity with the universe could offer clues. Evidence suggests a conscious mind of extraordinary quality and possibly many cosmic subjects, forming an intersubjectivity that resembles a modified version of Leibniz's monadology.
Mystical Encounters with the Natural World
July 7, 2005
Paul Marshall
Mystical experiences of the natural world, known as extrovertive experiences, are described through detailed accounts and a list of their common characteristics. Contrary to many theorists, the author argues that these experiences are not necessarily mediated by the senses. Survey studies indicate that a small but significant portion of the US and UK populations have encountered extrovertive unity, at least in milder forms. Evidence suggests that such experiences predate Romantic thinkers, appearing in older religious traditions, though this is not definitive.
Mystical Encounters with the Natural World
July 7, 2005
Paul Marshall
Classic descriptions of extrovertive mystical experience by Bucke, Otto, Stace, and Zaehner are summarized and shown to be limited. A more nuanced account is given, based on study of many mystical accounts. Several kinds of extrovertive unity are distinguished, along with characteristics such as self-transcendence, expansive knowledge, all-encompassing love, visual and auditory phenomena, altered time-experience, presences and realities, somatic and paranormal phenomena, and synaesthesia. Experiences are often uplifting but can be disturbing, especially with drugs, mental breakdown, or kundalini arousal.