Mystical journey of self: a case study of Lal Ded
Swati Tickoo
International Journal of Indian Psychology June 25, 2020 DOI: 10.25215/0802.109 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Lal Ded, a fourteenth-century mystic-poetess from Kashmir, as depicted in her sayings and hagiographic accounts |
| Key findings | Argues that mystical experience, psychologically understood, occurs when consciousness is not centered on the ego and involves the disintegration and remolding of a fragmented self. Proposes that Lal Ded's sayings and hagiographic accounts, read through archetypal amplification, illustrate a case study of moving through psychological turmoil toward a more meaningful and spiritual life. |
Abstract
Mystical experience is a fundamental category of human experience which psychologically speaking manifests itself whenever consciousness is not yet or no longer effectively centered around the ego. This involves disintegration and a remolding of a fragmented self, which is an inherently difficult yet eventually enriching process that molds the personality and life into a whole. In the present paper, the sayings and hagiographic accounts of Lal Ded, a fourteenth century mystic-poetess from Kashmir have been analyzed using the method of archetypal amplification to develop an understanding of her journey as a case study of how one can move through psychological turmoil and transform into an individual leading a more meaningful and spiritual life.