Inner Light and the Eyes of the Soul: A Phenomenological Analysis of Teresa of Ávila's Visions through the Lens of Phosphene Taxonomy
PsyArXiv Preprints June 16, 2025 preprint
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness Meditation |
| Keywords | Contempation Hildegard of bingen, Light Longchenpa, Milarepa, Mystical luminosity Phosphenes Taxonomy Teresa of ávila Mysticism & spirituality Religious experience Comparative religion |
| Key points | Argues that Saint Teresa of Ávila's visionary experiences align with advanced phases of phosphene progression, suggesting a cross-cultural neurophenomenological basis for mystical luminosity. |
Abstract
This paper examines the visionary experiences of Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582) as described in The Life of Teresa of Jesus, through the lens of contemporary phenomenology and the six-phase taxonomy of meditation-induced phosphenes. Special attention is given to Chapters 27–38, including her iconic vision of pure inner light and the Transverberation experience. We argue that Teresa’s imaginative and intellectual visions display a striking resemblance to structured forms of endogenous light perception, particularly in the advanced phases of phosphene progression. To contextualise these findings, we compare her descriptions with those of Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) and Tibetan yogis such as Milarepa (c. 1052–c. 1135) and Longchenpa (1308–1364), revealing a cross-cultural phenomenological consistency. This analysis supports the hypothesis that experiences of mystical luminosity represent a shared neurophenomenological substrate underlying diverse contemplative traditions across time and culture.