The article considers whether, and how, current scientific studies of consciousness might benefit from insights of mystical traditions. Although considerable effort has been expanded towards introducing mysticism into mainstream cognitive science, the topic is still controversial, not least because of the multifariousness of meaning associated with the term (from “illogical thinking” through “v...

This study examined relationships of self-reported Mysticism with dispositional Depression and Anxiety in Iranian Muslims. The sample contained 80 women and 51 men undergraduates who volunteered to participate (M age=20.5 yr., SD= 2.0). Participants responded to the Hood Mysticism Scale and to the Costello and Comrey Depression and Anxiety Scales. Scores on the Religious Interpretation dimensio...

both positive and negative; in the medieval world, however, it held a precise meaning, often also referred to as “contemplation” or “the contemplative life.” The mysticism of this period had some merits, but also some serious flaws in both theology and practice. In many respects, the mysticism of the medieval world derived from early Latin mysticism, which in turn evolved from an amalgamation o...

love is the most significant subject matter and theme in the theoreical and practical aspects of mysticism. in fact, it is the reflections of love that which make all levels of the creation. in the way of a creature 's perfection and his path toward god, love is divine. hence, love can be considered from two perspectives and aspects. they are the ascending arc. in this research, it has bee...

This paper attempts to answer three questions: (1) Was Emerson a mystic? (2) If so, what is the nature of his mysticism? (3) How has his understanding of mysticism influenced by Unitarian theology and spiritual practice? In doing so, it draws upon historical and contemporary studies of mysticism and mystical experience, including those of William James, Leigh Eric Schmidt, and Bernard McGinn am...

all of the major branches of islamic mysticism, ‘irfān, refer to imam ‘ali (‘a) as a major source for their teachings and practices. hence, we begin with a review of how the mystics viewed imam ‘ali (‘a). after this we consider some controversies about the nature of ‘irfān and its relationship to sufism, for the terms have been used in different ways. then we turn to the sources on the basis of...

in islamic mysticism by annihilation it is meant the removal of any determination, tendency of delimitation to non-delimitation and transformation of multiplicity into unity. the study of historical development of the concept of annihilation can be helpful in understanding and analyzing this fundamental doctrine of mysticism. in early mystical works extant in world of islam, hardly can one find...