Mysticism and Hypo-egoicism
Oxford Handbooks Online October 5, 2016 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199328079.013.19 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Key points | Argues that hypo-egoicism, or reduced self-focus, can yield positive outcomes and that the benefits associated with transcendence may be interpreted as vertical (more common in the psychology of religion) or horizontal (more common in positive psychology), with similar empirical consequences. Contends that hypo-egoicism is a human ability that can be facilitated through set, setting, and triggers such as isolation and chemicals. |
Abstract
The shift from negative evaluations of hypo-egoicism to more positive considerations is a shared interest of both the positive psychologist and the psychologist of religion. This chapter suggests that the possible positive benefits of hypo-egoicism associated with experiences of transcendence may be interpreted as vertical (more common in psychology of religion) or horizontal (more common in positive psychology). However, the empirical consequences may be similar. The measurement of hypo-egoicism associated with reported mystical experiences is well established and the correlates of such experience are seldom associated with psychopathology. Likewise, that mysticism can be facilitated by appropriate set and setting circumstances and associated triggers such as isolation and chemicals suggests that hypo-egoicism is a human ability that can be facilitated among those interested in its likely positive outcomes for lives framed in terms of religion, spirituality, or both.
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 |