Peak Sexual and Spiritual Experience: Exploring the Mystical Relationship
Theology and Sexuality 1996 DOI: 10.1177/135583589600300507 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key points | Proposes that Pahnke's nine-category typology of mystical peak experiences can frame the relationship between sexual and spiritual peak potentials, and argues that examples from St Catherine of Siena, St John of the Cross, and St Teresa of Avila show an erotic connectedness in their spiritual peaks. Integrating sexual and spiritual peak experience is claimed to deepen understanding of being 'fully human' and of intimacy with self, others, and the ultimate. |
Abstract
The nine-category phenomenological typology of mystical peak experiences proposed by Pahnke (1980) was used to construct a framework for understanding and relating peak potentials for sexuality and spirituality. Examples from mystics—St Catherine of Siena, St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila—demonstrate the erotic connectedness they experienced in spiritual peaks. It is proposed that integrating understanding of sexual and spiritual peak experience provides more knowledge of what it means to be ‘fully human’ and creates insight into the depths of intimacy with self, others, and the ultimate.