On Mystery: explorations on the experience of the numinous.
Federico Benchín
Journal of Analytical Psychology February 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1111/1468-5922.12776 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Jungian analysis Jungianische analyse Misterio Mistero Mistério Mysterium Mystery Mystik Numinoses Selbst Self Soi Synchronizität Sé Analisi junghiana Analyse jungienne Análise junguiana Análisis junguiano Esperienza religiosa Experiencia religiosa Experiência religiosa Expérience religieuse Mistico Mysticus Mystère Místico Numineux Numinoso Numinous Religious experience Religiöse erfahrung Sincronicidade Sincronicità Synchronicity Synchronicité Самость Мистик Нуминозное Религиозный опыт Синхрония Тайна Юнгианский анализ 共时性 宗教经验 神性 神秘的 自性 荣格分析 |
| Key points | Proposes that the ultimate purpose of Jungian analysis is the manifestation of 'Mystery', understood through two categories of contact: violent and subtle experiences. |
Abstract
The present work aims to present ideas about the notion of 'Mystery', based on the contributions of various thinkers from different areas of knowledge. It will focus especially on the experience itself, that is, on the human possibility of generating the mystical experience and conceptualizing the dimension from contact with it. Concepts such as 'Homo Mysticus' (Erich Neumann), 'Numinous' (Rudolf Otto), 'Synchronicity' and 'Self' (Carl G. Jung) will be developed, approaching them from a psychological perspective. A distinction between two different categories of contact is proposed in the article: violent experiences and subtle experiences. The referential framework of analytical psychology enables the possibility of a transcendent and immaterial realm creatively linked to psychic reality, as well as an attempt to understand it. The conceptualization of the symbolic from the Jungian worldview allows us to understand the experience of Mystery from a psychological point of view in relation to the surrounding world. The idea is even raised that the ultimate (and implicit) purpose of the analysis is the manifestation of Mystery, a general name that could encompass the different phenomenological experiences. Is it possible that such experiences occur in the cultural circumstances of the present? What place does Mystery occupy in these times? What forms could it take? By observing dreams, imaginations and synchronicities, experiences of the mysterious will be explored in the context of contemporary Jungian analysis.