On Mystical Experiences as: Support for the Perennial Philosophy
Journal of the American Academy of Religion January 1, 1994 DOI: 10.1093/jaarel/lxii.2.319 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMystical experiences across different traditions share core features that support the perennial philosophy, the view that a universal, transcendent reality underlies diverse religious traditions. The article argues that these commonalities are not merely superficial but involve deep structural similarities in the experiences themselves, which have been documented across cultures and historical periods. This suggests that mystical experiences provide empirical evidence for a shared spiritual reality, challenging purely constructivist or culturally relative interpretations of mysticism.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Perennial plant Philosophy Religious studies Theology |
| Citations | 36 |
| Key finding | Argues that mystical experiences across traditions exhibit core phenomenological similarities that support the perennial philosophy. |
Abstract
Journal Article On Mystical Experiences as: Support for the Perennial Philosophy Get access Jonathan Shear Jonathan Shear Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Volume LXII, Issue 2, Summer 1994, Pages 319–342, https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/LXII.2.319 Published: 01 July 1994