A Psychological and Spiritual Framework to Understand the Meaning of Mystical Experiences

Abstract

In this presentation, we will explore the nature of the mystical experience from a psychological, neuropsychological, cultural and spiritual perspective.

The work of Carl Jung who claimed “Human beings do not stand in one world only but between two worlds and must distinguish themselves from their functions in both worlds. You have to stand between the gods and men…” will provide the psychological interpretive base to understand the individual’s mystical experience. From this perspective, we will examine the healing function of the mystical call, its aftermath on the psyche, life development, as well as the realm of mysticism and madness.

Presenter Bio

Danielle Green, Ph.D. holds a Masters and Doctorate in Psychology as well as a Masters of Divinity. In addition to being trained in Jungian Psychology (PhD.), Dr. Green’s expertise includes training in the fields of Family Therapy, Hypnosis, Neurofeedback, Trauma, Attachment Disorders, Mood Disorders, Psychodrama, Imago Therapy for Couples and the Enneagram. Dr. Green is also an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister and a Spiritual Director. Dr. Green’s research interests include: transgenerational family therapy, altered states of consciousness, dream analysis, and the interfacing of psychoanalysis and mysticism as a transformative experience. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. Green was the founding Director of Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (Sarasota, Fl.), psychotherapist at New College (Sarasota, Fl), and psychotherapist for the Stanford Research Institute. Dr. Green worked in private practice in Berkeley, California; London, England and Sarasota, Florida. She continues to lecture and facilitate groups and retreats throughout the United States, Europe and India.