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Unusual Spiritual Experiences in the context of Occulture
Horská, Kateřina ; Nešpor, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Pokorný, Vít (referee) ; Václavík, David (referee)
This work studies the environment of contemporary alternative spirituality in the Czech Republic, specifically unusual spiritual experiences and techniques for inducing them. It is based on long-term field research utilizing the method of participant observation carried out primarily in the environment of neo-shamanism, but also the use of psychedelics, dark therapy, and other movements and practices. I perceive and analyze these practices both as psychotechnologies - i.e. techniques through which their users strive to alter their thinking - as well as spiritual techniques aimed at establishing and cultivating a relationship with the spiritual world. The focus of this study is a comparison of neo-shamanism and other practices in three main aspects: the induction of experiences, the connection between spiritual experiences and the actor's life as a whole, and the changes in the perception of reality brought about by long- term practicing. I point out that in all these areas, techniques traditionally thought of as closely related exhibit fundamental differences. A non-negligible part of this study consists of methodological and theoretical considerations. I show that the field of alternative spirituality has many specifics compared to other religious environments, and that mainstream methodological...
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Who Has Bats in the Belfry: A Social Science Study of the Ghost Phenomenon from the Point of View of Castellans
Rybová, Tereza ; Spalová, Barbora (advisor) ; Novotná, Hana (referee)
Author of this bachelor thesis attempts to uncover the phenomenon of castle ghosts from the point of view of castellans (caretakers and managers of castles). The situations that castellans experience have some features of the so-called boundary objects. These objects are typical for their ambiguity and acquiring of different meanings, depending on the point of view taken. In this case, there are two opposite viewpoints. On the one hand, there is the visitors' desire to meet or see a real ghost that is known from books and legends. On the other hand, the experience of people who work and live in castles is totally different - more intimate and inward. The author would like to describe this so far unresearched phenomenon by analysis of thirteen interviews with castellans of Czech castles. Yet this study does not present a plain description of supernatural situations. The author rather attempts to conclude how castellans face these situations. These castellans are considered as very pragmatic and respectable persons who dedicated their lives to care for a historical building. Even in this fact there is a remarkable contradiction. It is apparent that castellans are captivated by the mystical atmosphere of their work places. Still, they are required to be rational persons who need to handle the upkeep...
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