A New Day for Perennialism: the Case for a Perennial Phenomenology, or ‘Soft’ Perennialism
Sophia October 19, 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s11841-023-00985-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Key points | Argues that a 'perennial phenomenology' (or 'soft' perennialism) better captures mystical experience than traditional perennial philosophy, proposing four experiential aspects common across mystical traditions. Contends that these aspects also occur outside spiritual traditions, among non-religious people with little knowledge of spirituality, and that this common landscape precedes interpretation and conceptualization by spiritual traditions. |
Abstract
This paper argues for a ‘perennial phenomenology’ (or ‘soft’ perennialism) varying from the traditionalist notion of a ‘perennial philosophy.’ Perennial phenomenology offers a more nuanced form of perennialism that focuses on spiritual/mystical experiences rather than the teachings and beliefs of different religions. While teachings and beliefs vary greatly, the mystical experiences associated with different mystical traditions have striking commonalities. I suggest four experiential aspects that support a perennial phenomenology. These aspects also necessitate a reconsideration of the debate between perennialism and constructivism. Significantly, these experiential elements are present when mystical experiences occur outside the context of spiritual traditions, to people who know little or nothing about spirituality and consider themselves non-religious. Treating mystical experiences exclusively in the context or religion and spiritual traditions has been a major failing in debates between constructivists (or contextualists) and perennialists. There is a common landscape of mystical experience that precedes interpretation and conceptualization by spiritual traditions. This paper contributes to a reopening of discussion about perennialism that has been underway in recent years.
Comparable studies
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| From dopamine to salience to psychosis--linking biology, pharmacology and phenomenology of psychosis. | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How do the brain's time and space mediate consciousness and its different dimensions? Temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC). | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The phenomenology of deep brain stimulation-induced changes in OCD: an enactive affordance-based model. | 2013 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Looking for the Self: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology and Philosophical Significance of Drug-induced Ego Dissolution | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Conceptualizing Psychedelic Pure Consciousness Religions August 20, 2025
- Beyond Pluralism: Esoteric Unity of Religions and the Ontological Reframing of Comparative Theology Pharos Journal of Theology July 17, 2026
- Is religious experience epistemologically reliable? An embodied-philosophical inquiry Religious Studies December 9, 2025
Cites 11
- The Varieties of Religious Experience July 26, 2012
- Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century 2020
- Interpretation and Mystical Experience Religious Studies October 1, 1965
- Mystical Experience Among Tibetan Buddhists: The Common Core Thesis Revisited Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion June 1, 2011
- Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Phenomenology, Altered States, Individual Differences, and Well-Being Frontiers in Psychology August 19, 2021
and 6 more in the library