Intentional Transformative Experiences

Theorizing Self-Cultivation in Religion and Esotericism
1. Auflage 2024
ISBN: 978-3-11-099105-5
Verlag: De Gruyter

Buch, Englisch, Band 67, 330 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 230 mm, Gewicht: 604 g

Reihe: Religion and Reason

This book offers new theoretical insights into religious, esoteric, and philosophical practices and narratives that deal with "intentional transformative experiences." Exceptional life-changing experiences are often believed to be beyond the individual's control—they are thought to "simply happen." However, many individuals actively and self-reflectively search for transformative experiences. Intentional Transformative Experiences provides analyses of such intentionally sought experiences in different spiritual, religious, and esoteric milieus. Case studies range from South and Central Asian traditions to Western esoteric practices, compare autobiographical narratives of self-cultivation, and explore attempts to systematize intentional transformative experiences. Next to applying established theoretical frameworks, such as the cognitive science of religion and philosophy, this volume also includes considerations on subsets of transformative experiences such as the dichotomy of intentionality and unintentionality, risk and failure, as well as the transformation of others instead of one's own self. The result is an important contribution for researchers who deal with narratives or practices that include "transformative experiences."

Zielgruppe

Scholars in religious studies, philosophy, esotericism

Autoren/Hrsg.

Perez, Sarah

Rijn, Bastiaan van

Schlieter, Jens

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionssoziologie und -psychologie, Spiritualität, Mystik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologische Disziplinen Religionspsychologie

Über Autor(innen)

Sarah Perez, Bastiaan van Rijn und Jens Schlieter, Universität Bern, Schweiz.

Sarah Perez, Bastiaan van Rijn und Jens Schlieter, Universität Bern, Schweiz.