Nibbanic (or Pure) Consciousness and Beyond

Pike's phenomenology of mystical experiences identifies precisely where theological content can appear within the structure of Christian mystics' experiences. This analysis extends to Buddhist and other accounts of "pure" or "nibbanic" consciousness reached through deep meditation. A contemporary "modal" model of inner awareness is examined, proposing that a form of pure consciousness underlies and encompasses additional content in various types of consciousness, including mystical experiences across different traditions and experiences of "full union" with God.

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Abstract

Pike’s phenomenology of mystical experiences articulates sharply where theological content may enter the structure of Christian mystics’ experiences (as characterized in their own words). Here we look to Buddhist (and other) accounts of “pure” or “nibbanic” consciousness attained in experiences of deep meditation. A contemporary “modal” model of inner awareness is considered whereby a form of pure consciousness underlies and embraces further content in various forms of consciousness, including mystical experiences in different traditions and experiences of “full union” (with God).