Mystical Luminosity Experience

Mystical Luminosity Experience PDF Author: Jonathan Dinsmore
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004700609
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 109

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Book Description
Light of a divine or transcendent nature is widely revered in various religious and mystical traditions around the world, and luminosity with mystical qualities such as love, bliss, peace, and noetic realization is also frequently reported by contemporary experiencers. Despite being described as a profoundly significant, sacred, and transformative experience, mystical luminosity has received relatively little attention in modern scholarship and scientific study, and has only been examined empirically within isolated contexts, such as NDEs or contemplative practices. This study examines the phenomenology which binds mystical luminosity across various experiential contexts to construct a phenomenologically grounded theoretical model. A three-part mixed methods investigation using a new mystical luminosity experience scale based on this model is then summarized, with findings generally supporting and further clarifying the model.

Mystical Luminosity Experience

Mystical Luminosity Experience PDF Author: Jonathan Dinsmore
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004700609
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 109

Get Book Here

Book Description
Light of a divine or transcendent nature is widely revered in various religious and mystical traditions around the world, and luminosity with mystical qualities such as love, bliss, peace, and noetic realization is also frequently reported by contemporary experiencers. Despite being described as a profoundly significant, sacred, and transformative experience, mystical luminosity has received relatively little attention in modern scholarship and scientific study, and has only been examined empirically within isolated contexts, such as NDEs or contemplative practices. This study examines the phenomenology which binds mystical luminosity across various experiential contexts to construct a phenomenologically grounded theoretical model. A three-part mixed methods investigation using a new mystical luminosity experience scale based on this model is then summarized, with findings generally supporting and further clarifying the model.

Beyond Physicalism

Beyond Physicalism PDF Author: Edward F. Kelly
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1442232404
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 636

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Book Description
The rise of modern science has brought with it increasing acceptance among intellectual elites of a worldview that conflicts sharply both with everyday human experience and with beliefs widely shared among the world’s great cultural traditions. Most contemporary scientists and philosophers believe that reality is at bottom purely physical, and that human beings are nothing more than extremely complicated biological machines. On such views our everyday experiences of conscious decision-making, free will, and the self are illusory by-products of the grinding of our neural machinery. It follows that mind and personality are necessarily extinguished at death, and that there exists no deeper transpersonal or spiritual reality of any sort. Beyond Physicalism is the product of an unusual fellowship of scientists and humanities scholars who dispute these views. In their previous publication, Irreducible Mind, they argued that physicalism cannot accommodate various well-evidenced empirical phenomena including paranormal or psi phenomena, postmortem survival, and mystical experiences. In this new theory-oriented companion volume they go further by attempting to understand how the world must be constituted in order that these “rogue” phenomena can occur. Drawing upon empirical science, metaphysical philosophy, and the mystical traditions, the authors work toward an improved “big picture” of the general character of reality, one which strongly overlaps territory traditionally occupied by the world’s institutional religions, and which attempts to reconcile science and spirituality by finding a middle path between the polarized fundamentalisms, religious and scientific, that have dominated recent public discourse. Contributions by: Harald Atmanspacher, Loriliai Biernacki, Bernard Carr, Wolfgang Fach, Michael Grosso, Michael Murphy, David E. Presti, Gregory Shaw, Henry P. Stapp, Eric M. Weiss, and Ian Whicher

Called Into Life by the Light

Called Into Life by the Light PDF Author: Bernard J. Fleury
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1403376549
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 203

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Book Description
A non-fiction account of the human experience of light in theology, philosophy, physics, medicine, and near-death experiences. Light, the foundational stuff of all that exists, an elusive, pervasive something and someone calling each of us into life.

Touched by the Light

Touched by the Light PDF Author: Yvonne Kason
Publisher: Dundurn
ISBN: 1459745531
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 356

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Book Description
How Peak Spiritual Experiences Transform Lives Today Dr. Yvonne Kason’s life was touched by five Near-Death experiences (NDEs), the most recent in 2003. Her dramatic Near-Death Experience in a 1979 plane crash propelled her as a young medical doctor to research and counsel people with diverse types of peak spiritual experiences. In 1994, she coined the now widely used phrase “Spiritually Transformative Experiences” (STEs). These include Near-Death Experiences, mystical experiences, spiritual energy or kundalini awakenings, diverse psychic experiences, and inspired creativity. Touched by the Light is a synthesis of forty years of Dr. Kason's research on STEs and their profound after-effects on body, mind, and spirit. Filled with fascinating case studies, Touched By the Light is inspiring to all, as well as a practical guide for those experiencing STEs and their counsellors.

A Scientific Assessment of the Validity of Mystical Experiences

A Scientific Assessment of the Validity of Mystical Experiences PDF Author: Andrew C. Papanicolaou
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000356930
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 268

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Book Description
In this book the approach of the natural sciences is adopted to confront the ontological question of how far mystical experiences can be considered as reports of an objective reality rather than reports of subjective delusions. Moving beyond traditional philosophical or cultural and theological interpretations of mystical phenomena, the author uses inductive inference to analyze claims made by secular and religious mystics, highlight links between altered states of consciousness and neurochemistry, and counters reductionist claims that mystical states are exclusively products of neurochemical, neurophysiological, or psychopathological factors. The text also considers the positive long-term effects of proper use of psychedelics and meditation. This fresh approach to mystical experiences will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and postgraduate students working in the areas of psychology and neuroscience, and with an interest in mysticism in religious studies and philosophy.

The Varieties of Religious Experience

The Varieties of Religious Experience PDF Author: Michel Ferrari
Publisher: Imprint Academic
ISBN: 9780907845263
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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Book Description
William James published his classic work on the psychology of religion, "The Varieties of Religious Experience", in 1902. To mark the centenary, leading contemporary scholars reflect on changes in our understanding of the questions James addressed.

Mystical Encounters with the Natural World

Mystical Encounters with the Natural World PDF Author: Paul Marshall
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 019153546X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
Some experiences of the natural world bring a sense of unity, knowledge, self-transcendence, eternity, light, and love. This is the first detailed study of these intriguing phenomena. Paul Marshall explores the circumstances, characteristics, and after-effects of this important but relatively neglected type of mystical experience, and critiques explanations that range from the spiritual and metaphysical to the psychoanalytic, contextual, and neuropsychological. The theorists discussed include R. M. Bucke, Edward Carpenter, W. R. Inge, Evelyn Underhill, Rudolf Otto, Sigmund Freud, Aldous Huxley, R. C. Zaehner, W. T. Stace, Steven Katz, and Robert Forman, as well as contemporary neuroscientists. The book makes a significant contribution to current debates about the nature of mystical experience.

The First Paul

The First Paul PDF Author: Marcus J. Borg
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0061972843
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
“Borg and Crossan reveal a figure who, besides being neither anti-Semitic, anti-sex, nor misogynist, stresses social and political equality among Christians and between them and others. A refreshing and heartening exculpation of a still routinely maligned figure of the first importance to culture and civilization.” — Booklist (starred review) John Dominic Crossan and Marcus J. Borg—two of the world’s top-selling Christian scholars and the bestselling authors of The Last Week and The First Christmas—once again shake up the status quo by arguing that the message of the apostle Paul, considered by many to be the second most important figure in Christianity, has been domesticated by the church. Borg and Crossan turn the common perception of Paul on its head, revealing him as a radical follower of Jesus whose core message is still relevant today.

Mysticism

Mysticism PDF Author: Jess Hollenback
Publisher: Penn State Press
ISBN: 0271072687
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 657

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Book Description
This sweeping study of mysticism by Jess Hollenback considers the writings and experiences of a broad range of traditional religious mystics, including Teresa of Avila, Black Elk, and Gopi Krishna. It also makes use of a new category of sources that more traditional scholars have almost entirely ignored, namely, the autobiographies and writings of contemporary clairvoyants, mediums, and out-of-body travelers. This study contributes to the current debate about the contextuality of mysticism by presenting evidence that not only are the mystic's interpretations of and responses to experiences culturally and historically conditioned, but historical context and cultural environment decisively shape both the perceptual and affective content of the mystic's experience as well. Hollenback also explores the linkage between the mystic's practice of recollection and the onset of other unusual or supernormal manifestations such as photisms, the ability to see auras, telepathic sensitivity, clairvoyance, and out-of-body experiences. He demonstrates that these extraordinary phenomena can actually deepen our understanding of mysticism in unexpected ways. A unique feature of this book is its in-depth analysis of "empowerment," an important phenomenon ignored by most scholars of mysticism. Empowerment is a peculiar enhancement of the imagination, thoughts, and desires that frequently accompanies mystical states of consciousness. Hollenback shows its cross-cultural persistence, its role in constructing the perceptual and existential environments within which the mystic dwells, and its linkage to the fundamental contextuality of mystical experience.

Science Without Bounds

Science Without Bounds PDF Author: Arthur D'Adamo
Publisher: Adamford.com
ISBN: 1507862768
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 434

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Book Description
Explores the intersection of Science, Religion, Philosophy and Mysticism. Here's what some people have said about "Science Without Bounds". One of the best on the Internet . . . for quality, accuracy of content, presentation and usability. - Britannica Presents Internet Guide Awards Style is tight, clean and refreshingly free from scientific, mystical, philosophical and theological jargon. . . . It's the kind of book where you'll need to stop and do 15 minutes of deep thinking and pondering every few pages . . . Outstanding book, engrossing, a classic - Wendy Christensen, Inscriptions, the weekly e-zine for professional writers, (InscriptionsMagazine.com) Selected by The McKinley Group's professional editorial team as a "3-Star" site . . . a special mark of achievement in Magellan, McKinley's comprehensive Internet directory of over 1.5 million sites and 40,000 reviews. Found it very intriguing. A lot of your ideas had me nodding my head in agreement. - Karl B. I was astonished to read your book non-stop over 7 hours last night. It was the best synthesis of the collective understanding I have read in my 48 years. - S. R. I'm impressed by the breadth of your understanding and the amount of work you've obviously put into it. - R.W.K. Wow! This is about all I can say at the moment. - Ella B.