Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Mysticism consists of a practice of religious ecstasies, together with ideologies, ethics, rites, myths, legends, magics, etc., related to the ecstasies. Mysticism is institutionalized in 90 percent of human societies. Mysticism occurs not only in scripture-based religions, but also in oral religious traditions, where it is known as shamanism, vision quests, spirit possession, spirit mediumship, and prophetism. In oral religions, mystics often assume leadership positions as intermediaries between the numina and the social group. Because book religions invest authority in scriptural exegetes, mystics are marginalized and typically seek politically innocuous ecstasies. In other cases, mystics aspire to authority and become would-be prophets. The contents of mystical experiences may be subdivided into narrative and unitive ecstasies. Both occur in states both of trance and of reverie. Trances reify imaginations as hallucinations and delusions, whose uncritical validation devalues perceptible reality and promotes dissociative philosophies and behavior. Reveries are instead self-evident as heurisms. Mystics have traditionally sought metaphysical transformations, but positive psychological growth has been demonstrated in a few cases.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Encyclopedia of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
