|
|
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...
|
|
|
The Imagination as a Link Between Dream and Art
MOLÍKOVÁ, Veronika
Where is the area, in which dream and art unite and in which they mingle situated, and, on the contrary, where is the borderline between them? What do our inner images mean for us? Is the imagination a link of artistic creation and dreaming? If we admit this, can we consider dreaming as a form of art, as an intentionally focussed activity inside us? The form of art with its proper author-recipient, with denying its servitude? Could we achieve an aesthetic attitude to a figure, to a construct, when its fundamentals cannot be revealed? Or is that consideration absolutely misled? Besides those consideration, some people confirm, that dreams are too elusive to be judged But works of art are not? And is not the solution hidden in spaces of our consciousness? The fusion of dream and art becomes the topic of the following lines.
|
|
| |
|
|
Altered States of Consciousness
Křečanová, Alena ; Hnilica, Karel (referee) ; Kebza, Vladimír (referee)
This theoretical study contains a systematic analysis of altered states of consciousness. The study is based on a reflection of the qualitative altered states of consciousness, that offers some potential and attempts to describe altered states of consciousness in their complexity as well as to map all their aspects in a structured. It utilises the notion of consciousness to define the altered states of consciousness. The chosen method is to work with literary sources where an emphasis is placed on an interdisciplinary approach. The structure of the thesis is divided into three chapters. The key topic of the first chapter is an examination of the phenomenon of consciousness and interdisciplinary theories of consciousness. The second chapter is focused on the description and analysis of altered states of consciousness, concentrates on the history and methods of research of altered states of consciousness and delineates their basic characteristic and their functions. The last chapter divides the altered states of consciousness into categories and gives them a detailed description. The thesis ends with a final conclusion which brings an integration of the findings above mentioned with the focused on the second chapter. Keywords: consciousness, altered states of consciousness, sleep and dreaming, near...
|
|
|
Integrity Being
Křečanová, Alena ; Soukup, Martin (advisor) ; Balcerová, Michaela (referee)
This theoretical study attempts to reflect the general problematic of modern society in complexity, the gradual constitution and development of estranged being as well as the contemporary effort to interconnect being as an integral whole. The study also contains an analysis of altered states of consciousness, which are understood as a certain means to view the world as integrated. We use the notion of consciousness to define the altered states of consciousness. The structure of the thesis is divided into five chapters. While the first chapter is focused on description and analysis of alienation and other negative aspects of modern society, the second chapter is based on this reflection of the crisis of western society. Its subject is the work of several scientists who contribute by their works to a qualitative change of the mechanistic and materialistic conception of the world and who promote holistic approach to reality. The key topic of the third chapter is phenomenon of consciousness and interdisciplinary theories of consciousness. We deal also with the qualitative altered states of consciousness, that offer some potential. The fourth chapter concentrates on the history and methods of research of altered states of consciousness and delineates their basic characteristic and their functions. The...
|
guest ::
