Esoteric traditions and altered states of consciousness

• Grant number: 13/07451-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 06, 2013
• End date: September 05, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Philosophy
• Principal Investigator: João Vergílio Gallerani Cuter
• Grantee: André Oídes Matoso e Silva
• Supervisor: Wouter J. Hanegraaff
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Amsterdam (UvA), Netherlands
• Associated to the scholarship: 12/12261-0 - The investigation of consciousness and the problem of human energy: contributions of William James to contemporary psychology, BP.DR

Abstract

William James's work is a basic framework for studies of consciousness and religion since the end of 19th century. James was the pioneer of an approach that would be more strongly developed since the second half of 20th century, through the theoretical current of transpersonal psychology. During the period of this research internship, I intend to investigate a theme that is central to this approach: the experience of altered states of consciousness in the context of mystical and/or esoteric traditions. I intend to examine how the experience of altered states of consciousness appears connected to the goal of self-cultivation in these traditions. This investigation is directly related to James's pragmatic approach to consciousness and religion, an investigation later resumed by transpersonal psychology, and is a basic theme for understanding the relationships between James's work and contemporary psychology. (AU)