Abstract Near-death experiences (NDEs), profound mystical or transcendental experiences occurring on the threshold of death, have been reported to reduce fear of death and death anxiety. This study compared responses to the Threat Index, a widely used measure of the threat implied by one's personal death, of (a) 135 near-death experiences, (b) 43 individuals who had come close to death but not...
The article presents a comprehensive review of literature on the occurrence of altered states of consciousness. Only few studies directly aim at the estimation of occurrences of altered states of consciousness, therefore indirect studies are also included. They present data on the frequency, in normal populations, of such phenomena as: hallucinations, peak experiences, mystical states,...
Confusion concerning the scientific study of consciousness is metanalysed by considering definitions of consciousness and the diversity of beliefs about consciousness and reality particularly as they are affected by information from anomalous experiences. This archival and theoretical examination reveals that the purported subjective nature of consciousness continues to create problems for its...
Replication of Livingston and Levin's [1] factor analysis of Domino's [2] Questionnaire About Dreams was attempted utilizing a population of 106 graduate students screened for adequate dream recall. Results indicated that the questionnaire produced two dominant factors roughly corresponding to educated and mystical beliefs regarding dream origin. Although the items which comprised these factors...
Mantra is a word or a short saying, a short prayer repeated in order to fix the distractions of the mind. Under mantra meditation I mean the repetitive prayer, the aim of which is meeting with God, and involving the whole person at prayer. (I do not speak about the simplified techniques aiming only at healing or success and using only parts of the capacity inherent in this meditation...
Article exploring the theory that contemporary belief that near-death experiences (NDEs) are glimpses of an afterlife may prevent us from realizing their more profound nature. Belief in an afterlife has not historically brought humanity a high quality of life, but NDEs seem reliably to do so, and may offer important clues about why the expanded vitality, the "eternity-consciousness," of the...
Article exploring the theory that contemporary belief that near-death experiences (NDEs) are glimpses of an afterlife may prevent us from realizing their more profound nature. Belief in an afterlife has not historically brought humanity a high quality of life, but NDEs seem reliably to do so, and may offer important clues about why the expanded vitality, the "eternity-consciousness," of the...
As we have seen in our introduction to mysticism and in Eckhart's theology, mystics claim in certain experiences to encounter a powerful consolatory force which significantly reduces or eliminates the negative force of evil. In such experience evil is often referred to as a non-reality, non-being or nothingness which no longer has power or influence upon the enlightened mystic. As R. C. Zaehner...
Rudolf Otto has often been criticized for not showing enough interest in mystical experience. In this article I want to demonstrate how misplaced this criticism is and to show that it is based on an erroneous interpretation of the relationship between numinous and mystical experience in his work by most of his students. I shall argue that, particularly inThe Idea of the Holy, Otto offers an...
After a brief description of the Transcendental Meditation movement (TM), the meditation-rituals of the group are analyzed, and it is shown how the mediations can be understood as some kind of a ritual drama. Although this type of ritual ususally implies a thorough knowledge of the mythological aspect, this is not always the case in TM. It is shown, however, that some participants quite aware,...