Concepts of Space and Time in Philosophical and Mystical Teachings and in Modern Science
Voprosy Filosofii March 10, 2025 DOI: 10.21146/0042-8744-2025-3-191-197 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe article compares ideas about space and time from philosophical and mystical traditions with those of modern science. The non-classical scientific paradigm views spacetime as multidimensional and relative. Space-time differs in inanimate, animate, and social matter, studied by physics, biology, and social sciences. Social space is hierarchical and boundary-creating, while mystical consciousness seeks to dissolve distinctions through global unity. Mystical consciousness supports non-linear, non-Euclidean biological space with bodily asymmetry. Biological and social time accelerate, but mystical time emphasizes total presence in the present, living "here and now." Prayer and meditative contemplation slow biological clocks, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Prayer |
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Consciousness Prayer Space punctuation Natural archaeology |
| Key finding | Argues that mystical consciousness offers a non-linear, non-Euclidean understanding of space and a present-focused, decelerating experience of time, contrasting with the accelerating time and hierarchical space of modern biological and social life. |
Abstract
The article provides a comparative analysis of ideas about space and time, formed in the philosophical and mystical teachings of the world, with those that are characteristic of modern science. The non-classical scientific paradigm has created a new understanding of the spatio-temporal organization of being, which is characterized by multidimensionality and relativity. There are unique features of space-time in inanimate, animate and social matter, which are studied by Physics, Biology and Social Sciences. Social space is characterized by hierarchy and the creation of clear boundaries, while mystical consciousness desire to destroy all distinctions by realizing the global unity of the existing. Mystical consciousness supports the idea of non-linearity, non-Euclidean biological space, which is characterized by the asymmetry of the left and right, lower and upper parts of the human body. If the biological and social time of a modern person is focused on acceleration, mystical time strives for total presence in the present, helps to live “here and now”. The psychopractices of prayer and meditative contemplation make a person’s life relaxed and peaceful, they are a natural way to slow down the biological clock, a powerful tool to combat stress.