Sudhir Kakar on mysticism, psychoanalysis, and culture
Culture & Psychology August 28, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/1354067x251366687 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThis essay examines Sudhir Kakar's contributions to psychoanalytic theories of mysticism and culture. It first defines the contested term "mysticism" and reviews Freud's analysis of the oceanic feeling. It then describes three psychoanalytic models of mysticism—classic, adaptive, and transformational—that developed from and after Freud. Kakar's specific advances and debates with other psychoanalysts are placed within this framework. Finally, the essay discusses Kakar's work and psychoanalysis more broadly in relation to contemporary academic study of mysticism.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Psychology |
| Key finding | Sudhir Kakar's psychoanalytic theorizing advances understanding of mysticism by integrating cultural context and challenging earlier models. |
Abstract
This essay is designed to illumine Sudhir Kakar’s contributions with regard to psychoanalytic theorizing about mysticism and culture. It proceeds in five interrelated parts: (1) presents a broad definitional and comparative context with respect to the academically contested term “mysticism”; (2) explores the initial entry of the psychoanalytic engagement with mysticism (i.e., Freud’s famous analysis of the oceanic feeling); (3) describes the psychoanalytic models (classic, adaptive and transformational) of mysticism which developed out of and after Freud; (4) places Kakar within this development, unpacking his specific contributions, advances and debates with other reigning psychoanalysts; (5) discusses Kakar’s contributions and indeed psychoanalysis as a whole relative to the wider, contemporary academic study of mysticism.