The oceanic feeling, mysticism and Kabbalah: freud's historical roots.
Psychoanal Rev February 1, 2008
The paper examines the historical roots of Freud's concept of the 'oceanic feeling' in mysticism and Kabbalah, arguing that his ideas were influenced by these traditions despite his later rejection of religion. It traces how Freud's early engagement with mystical thought shaped his psychoanalytic theories, particularly his understanding of the self and its boundaries. The author suggests that Freud's work reflects a complex relationship with mystical experiences, which he both drew upon and sought to secularize.