1 6 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 7 - 1 S p r i n g 2 0 2 1 Notes [1] We understand spirituality as an internal core of religion. Every religion contains, apart from visible signs such as myths, rituals and other similar manifestations also internal spiritual aspects and feelings. In this respect, the very term of spirituality corresponds to the term of mysticism, which (in our concept) utilizes a vital transformation known as “death of an old man and birth of a new one – a pneumatic”. Here, Mircea Eliade speaks of a universal matrix life – death – resurrection (Eliade 1997, 216), which corresponds also to the St. Paul’s notion of the pneuma. Our concept of spirituality thus represents the most radical type of spirituality that we can describe as mystical spirituality. [2] Almost a hundred years ago, Henri Bergson wrote that when mysticism is mentioned, many people feel its impact (Bergson 1970, 348–349). This suggests that both a mystical experience and understanding of such an experience is not completely strange to people. We could even say that every person is a potential mystic. However, it is questionable whether people can develop this potential in their lives. [3] We are borrowing the term of language-game from Ludwig Wittgenstein, who “sees language as a complicated mixture of similarities that meet at certain points and merge. Thus, he finds a term that is better than ‘family resemblance’. In this pragmatic approach to language, the meaning of a given word is determined by its usage in the language and its function in the system. Language should be seen as a tool for communication and activity in given contexts, in given language-games.” (Sačková 2007, 4). [4] Multiple authors, for example Gaston Bachelard, Carl Gustav Jung, René Alleau, Paul Ricoeur and others imply that we should be using symbols, not signs to speak about deeper spiritual experience. Signs represent ordinary semiotic labels, but symbols express multi-level semantic structures that cannot be understood totally (Borecký 2003, 23). [5] We believe that subtle energies constitute a bridge between the spirit (consciousness) and matter (body) and, when fully developed, transcends human body. Subtle energies serve as a “lift” that can transport consciousness beyond the boundaries of human body, so that the consciousness finally expands into the Absolute dimension. On the way to this, we find a very dramatic stage in which consciousness leaves the body. This stage, which is almost impossible to distinguish from physical death or real dying, is called mystical death. The advantage of these energies is in the fact that they are visible to the naked eye (in certain lighting conditions also in a mirror), therefore we can use a scientific approach. This could push scientific research in this field considerably. Despite the fact that subtle energies are very dynamic, they come in a strictly given form that can be compared with subtle energies drawn by Rōshi Jiyu-Kennett. [6] See also Teresa of Ávila 1904, 50. [7] See also Gálik, Gáliková Tolnaiová, and Modrzejewski 2020, 607. [8] Buddhism came to Japan from China. In China, it was called Chan, with Bodhidharma being its greatest representative. He sailed to China in 520 AD. In the 12th and 13th century in Japan, there were two most famous schools Rinzai and Sōtō. Rinzai was founded by Eisai, who found many followers among samurais. Rinzai emphasizes sudden enlightenment, the followers tried to gain it through long kōan exercises. Sōtō was founded by Dōgen, it is more meditative and open to people than Rinzai. Less emphasis is put on kōan exercises and preferred is objectless mediation (Ja. Shikantaza). Zen is very popular in the West now, it is promoted by D. T. Suzuki, Alan Watts, Philip Kapleau, or Jiyu-Kennett. [9] For example, in 1995 Konstantin Korotkov proposed a GDV technique –“Gas Discharge Visualization”, which is based on computerized analyses of bio-photon emissions of human fingers in high-energy magnetic field captured using a specially configured optical CCD camera system (see Gálik 2020, 17).
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