Analysis of components of mystical experience in the story of Daqhughi using the theory of Walter Stace and William James

Abstract

Daqhughi's story in Masnavi Manavi is a multi-layered narrative that can be analyzed from different angles due to its fluid structure. One such analysis is to understand the features of mystical experience that constitute the essence of this parable. The mystical experience involves moments of fascination and vision in which a person experiences an extraordinary journey and is in communion with the transcendent world. Many intellectuals in the field of mystical philosophy have tried to understand the nature of this phenomenon. Among them, William James and Walter Stace stand out as prominent theorists who have described the characteristics of this phenomenon. The scientific and theoretical framework they created for recognizing elements of mystical experiences can shed light on even the most complex of these experiences. The mystical experiences depicted in Daqhughi's story possess identifiable features, and their ambiguities can be resolved using this theoretical framework. Characteristics such as inexpressibility, paradoxes, unity in vision, a sense of blessing, objectivity, and an epistemological quality are evident in the story. At the onset of his experience, Daqhughi perceives the unity within multiplicity—a perception that appears paradoxical amid successive transformations. His experience bears an epistemological quality, and while recognizing it as profoundly blessed, Daqhughi also acknowledges its inexpressibility. Therefore, the primary goal of this essay is to offer an alternative interpretation of this symbolic allegory through the lens of mystical experiences as described by theorists. However, it's important to note that not all features are present in this narrative; for instance, transiency is notably absent from this allegory.

Keywords

• masnavi manavi
• daqhughi's story
• mystical experience
• william james
• walter stace