Transcendent wisdom from structuralism to post-structuralism

Abstract

One of most important topics in mystical philosophy is the investigation of the role of experiential structures in shaping mystical experiences and their interconnections. This investigation has led to various approaches, including perennial philosophy, essentialism, structuralism, and decontextualism. In this analytical-comparative study, each of these perspectives is presented, followed by an examination of Mulla Sadra's perspective on the subject. Findings: From Mulla Sadra's perspective, personal structures have a significant impact on mystical experiences. He argues that mystics gain insights into deep truths by reflecting them in their souls. Talents, beliefs, behaviors, expectations, tendencies, and attentiveness all shape these experiences. Although he recognizes the existence of parallel mystical encounters in diverse traditions, aligning with the tenets of the perennial philosophy, Mulla Sadra's approach is not the same for all mystical experiences. He deems certain vertical data as illusionary and adopts a purely structuralist stance. Mulla Sadra's methodology can be described as “Gradational structuralism”, wherein he suggests that as the mystic progresses to higher existential levels and reduces self-centered focus, individual structures play a less significant role, and the convergence of mystics in parallel experiences increases. Consequently, in these cases, his analytical framework for studying mystical texts leans towards contextual analysis.

Keywords

• mulla sadra
• mystical experiences
• perennial philosophy
• constructivism
• decontextualism