Lo místico en el discurso religioso. Ejemplos de la ensayística rioplatense

Abstract

This study begins with a definition of discourse from Foucault’s perspective, then proceeds to explore various meanings of the notion of ‘mysticism’ in works ranging from Eliade and canonical authors such as Otto and James to Protestant positions. In Rio de la Plata essay writing, the use of the term ‘mysticism’ is rather ambiguous, as each author – without reference to the official and readily accessible doctrine – uses the label to describe realities of a different kind. While the mystical path generally involves a leap into the unknown, the selected authors present multiple perspectives on the mystical. Their texts reveal certain intuitions concerning the ineffable nature of spiritual experience, which is later translated into personal experience and social practice (orthopraxy) at the national level.