Mysticism and psychedelics: The case of the dark night
Journal of Religion and Health 1991 DOI: 10.1007/bf00986399 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key points | Argues that the dark night experiences described by John of the Cross can be conceptualized as perinatal experiences in Grof's framework, with implications for mysticism, LSD's spiritual potential, and innate transcendental capacity. |
Abstract
This study uses a model of consciousness derived from LSD-assisted psychotherapy to illumine an enigmatic set of painful experiences that occur on the mystic's path known in Western circles as the "dark night." It argues that the dark night experiences described in John of the Cross's classic workDark Night of the Soul can be conceptualized in terms of Stanislav Grofs category of "perinatal experience." The discussion examines the implications of this reconceptualization in three areas: (1) our understanding and evaluation of mysticism, (2) assessing LSD's potential for fostering genuine spirituality, and (3) reassessing the ancient claim that the capacity to experience transcendental states of being is innate.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The mystical mind: probing the biology of religious experience | 2000 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Religious and Mystical Experiences as Artifacts of Temporal Lobe Function: A General Hypothesis | 1983 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Problem of Pure Consciousness: Mysticism and Philosophy | 1993 | Edited collection of essays | |
| Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mysticism and schizophrenia: A phenomenological exploration of the structure of consciousness in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Christianity and Psychedelic Medicine: A Pastoral Approach Christian bioethics Non-Ecumenical Studies in Medical Morality September 19, 2022
- Shadows along the spiritual pathway Journal of Religion and Health March 21, 2015
- Considerations in the Application of Psychedelic-Augmented Psychotherapy: A Commentary on Clinical Mechanisms Psychoactives May 12, 2023
- Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice Frontiers in Psychology March 15, 2021