Toward Understanding Mystical Consciousness: an Analysis of a Text From Simone Weil
Religion and Theology January 1, 2003 DOI: 10.1163/157430103x00024
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMystical consciousness is a received moment of heightened awareness that is both self-aware and aware of an other, according to textual analysis of Simone Weil's writings. It can be mediated through language such as poems or prayers. Mystical consciousness creates an outward or transcendent movement, a transformative ego-shift. It displays the characteristics of ordinary consciousness but differs qualitatively in intensity, absorption, and boundaries. Textual analysis is presented as the most viable approach for understanding the nature of mystical consciousness.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Mystical consciousness is a received moment of heightened awareness that is both self-aware and aware of an other, creates a transformative ego-shift, and differs from ordinary consciousness in intensity, absorption, and boundaries. |
Abstract
AbstractTextual analysis represents the most viable approach towards gaining a greater understanding of the nature and characteristics of mystical consciousness. An analysis of a text from Simone Weil, the French philosopher and champion of workers' rights, indicates that mystical consciousness is a received moment of heightened awareness. Mystical consciousness is both self-aware and aware of an other. It may be mediated through language such as poems or prayers. It is the nature of mystical consciousness to create an outward or transcendent movement, a transformative ego-shift. Finally, mystical consciousness displays the characteristics proper to ordinary consciousness, but is qualitatively different in terms of intensity, absorption and boundaries.