Mystical techniques, mental processes, and states of consciousness in Abraham Abulafia’s Kabbalah: A reassessment
This article reevaluates the mystical techniques and experiences peculiar to Abraham Abulafia’s Kabbalah and attempts to offer an alternative approach to their dominant understanding, which largely depends on Moshe Idel’s work. Current scholars of Jewish mysticism have a habit of highlighting the “u...
| Published in: | Archive for the psychology of religion |
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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: |
SAGE Publishing
[2019]
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| In: |
Archive for the psychology of religion
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Abulʿafyah, Avraham ben Shemuʾel 1240-1291
/ Cabala
/ Mystical experience
/ State of consciousness
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| RelBib Classification: | AG Religious life; material religion BH Judaism |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | This article reevaluates the mystical techniques and experiences peculiar to Abraham Abulafia’s Kabbalah and attempts to offer an alternative approach to their dominant understanding, which largely depends on Moshe Idel’s work. Current scholars of Jewish mysticism have a habit of highlighting the “unique character” of Abulafia’s mystical practices while asserting that they cannot be compared with the induction techniques and the psychophysical phenomena typical of hypnosis. While generally agreeing with the scholars discussed that the hyperactivation of the mind found in Abulafian Kabbalah contrasts sharply with the mental relaxation attained through the mystical practices of other religious traditions, the present study takes issue with the current view of Abulafian Kabbalah’s relation to hypnotic procedures, processes, and states. This work addresses the issues present with the current view and offers a more inclusive model for interpreting Abulafia’s Kabbalah, drawing from psychiatrist Roland Fischer. |
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| ISSN: | 1573-6121 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Archive for the psychology of religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0084672419839490 |