Inner Light and the Eyes of the Soul: A Phenomenological Analysis of Teresa of Ávila's Visions through the Lens of Phosphene Taxonomy

The visionary experiences of Saint Teresa of Ávila, described in her autobiography, closely follow a structured progression of inner light perceptions similar to those reported in meditation-induced phosphene phenomena. Her accounts of pure inner light and the Transverberation align with advanced phases of a six-phase taxonomy of phosphenes. Comparing her descriptions with those of Hildegard of Bingen and Tibetan yogis Milarepa and Longchenpa reveals a cross-cultural phenomenological consistency. This suggests that mystical luminosity experiences may arise from a shared neurophenomenological substrate underlying diverse contemplative traditions across time and culture.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper examines the visionary experiences of Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582) as described in The Life of Teresa of Jesus, through the lens of contemporary phenomenology and the six-phase taxonomy of meditation-induced phosphenes. Special attention is given to Chapters 27–38, including her iconic vision of pure inner light and the Transverberation experience. We argue that Teresa’s imaginative and intellectual visions display a striking resemblance to structured forms of endogenous light perception, particularly in the advanced phases of phosphene progression. To contextualise these findings, we compare her descriptions with those of Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) and Tibetan yogis such as Milarepa (c. 1052–c. 1135) and Longchenpa (1308–1364), revealing a cross-cultural phenomenological consistency. This analysis supports the hypothesis that experiences of mystical luminosity represent a shared neurophenomenological substrate underlying diverse contemplative traditions across time and culture.