1. An empirical study of religious mysticism.
- Author
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Douglas-Smith, Basil and Douglas-Smith, B
- Subjects
MYSTICISM ,MYSTICS ,SPIRITUAL life ,PSYCHOSES ,PEOPLE with neurosis ,PEOPLE with mental illness ,PATHOLOGICAL psychology ,PSYCHIATRY ,EMPIRICAL research ,AGE distribution ,HYPNOTISM ,INTELLECT ,NEUROSES ,PRAYER ,PSYCHOLOGICAL tests ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,RELIGION ,SOCIAL classes ,SOCIAL networks ,ARTHRITIS Impact Measurement Scales - Abstract
The article presents an empirical study on religious mysticism (R.M.). R.M. is defined as a direct experience of ultimate reality seen as personal or hyperpersonal with three forms: nature mysticism, theistic mysticism, and monist mysticism. The study aims to compare between religious mystics, as well as between psychotics and neurotics. Several tests appear to have eliminated the possibility of any connection between R.M. and the mental health disorders, such as hyper-suggestibility, pathological lying, hysterical personality, epilepsy, paranoia, and manic-depressive psychosis.
- Published
- 1971
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