Esotericism, Deviance, and Repression: An Introduction to the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA)
This paper examines the history and worldview of MISA, the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA), founded in 1990 by Romanian esoteric yoga teacher Gregorian Bivolaru. In the first part, I summarize the history and doctrines of MISA, and me...
| Published in: | The journal of CESNUR |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
[2017]
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| In: |
The journal of CESNUR
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| Further subjects: | B
Siddha Yoga
B Conspirituality B Western Esotericism B Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute B Gregorian Bivolaru B MISA |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | This paper examines the history and worldview of MISA, the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA), founded in 1990 by Romanian esoteric yoga teacher Gregorian Bivolaru. In the first part, I summarize the history and doctrines of MISA, and mention the legal controversies that accompanied the movement’s progress. Although the roots of the movement are in Siddha Yoga of Tamil Nadu and Tantric Shivaism of Kashmir, Bivolaru has in fact created a new and creative form of both theoretical and practical esotericism, with Indian roots as well as Western influences. In particular, I discuss these sexual techniques of MISA—based on male continence—that most attracted the attention of both scholars and critics. I also examine the presence of a sustained anti-masonic discourse inside of MISA, as well as its interest in the existence of extraterrestrial life, which is part of what some have called “conspirituality,” as a blend of conspiracy theories and esoteric spirituality. Finally, I suggest several themes for further research: the esotericism of MISA, the role and charisma of the leader, eclecticism, ritual, and eschatology, all also relevant for assessing the societal reactions to the movement. |
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| ISSN: | 2532-2990 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The journal of CESNUR
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.26338/tjoc.2017.1.1.2 |