The Mind Under Mysticism
Rohitth Ajay, Srishti Muralidharan
July 3, 2026 DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3373-8006-3.ch004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Existentialism Identity music Mental health Social identity theory Meaning existential Psychoanalysis Epistemology |
| Key points | Argues that mystical experiences and esoteric beliefs influence psychological processes related to wellbeing, personal growth, and meaning-making. |
Abstract
This chapter explores mystical experiences and esoteric belief systems by examining their influences in terms of cognition, emotion regulation, identity formation, and mental health. It also traces how historical marginalization of esotericism shaped thought processes through which individuals validate their mystical experiences. Within this context, mystical traditions are addressed as symbolic frameworks that individuals use to make sense of the world in terms of existential questions. Along with the mental health implications, the social environment's role in reinforcing mystical experiences is also discussed. Overall, the chapter demonstrates how mystical participation operates through psychological processes that influence wellbeing, personal growth, and meaning-making.
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
Cites 13
- Mystical and Other Alterations in Sense of Self: An Expanded Framework for Studying Nonordinary Experiences Perspectives on Psychological Science February 13, 2020
- Mystical Experience in the Lab Method & Theory in the Study of Religion September 4, 2014
- Exploring Emptiness and its Effects on Non-attachment, Mystical Experiences, and Psycho-spiritual Wellbeing: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Advanced Meditators. Explore 2019
- The Cognitive Neuroscience of Consciousness, Mysticism and Psi International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2011
- Pathways of Conversion: From Buddhist Practice to Emotion Regulation Mechanisms Studies on Religion and Philosophy May 3, 2025
and 8 more in the library