Research on mysticism helps build bridges among religions in an era of polycrisis
The Program in the Study of Mysticism (PRISM) is funded by Templeton Religion Trust which is one of the world's leading supporters of the scientific study of religions. The total funding amounts to €7 million.
Mysticism has played a significant role in different cultures and religious traditions. The PRISM program generates new knowledge, brings together expertise and raises general interest in mysticism.
“According to an analysis conducted at Tampere University, the project marks the single largest funding totality for the rigorous study and communication of mysticism in any country and by any donor,” says Professor of Sociology and Director of PRISM Ali Qadir from Tampere University.
At the heart of PRISM’s work in mysticism lies the commonality of human, religious experience of extreme and cosmic unity. In-depth studies have shown that mystics who experience such deep connectivity tend to flow outside dogmatic, religious boundaries.
“Many challenge religious authority, while the bulk tend to be interfaith in their expressions and work. In fact, some of the mystics being studied in sponsored projects and in Tampere have been instrumental in building peace in modern hotspots, from postwar Europe to West Asia to Southeast Asia,” explains Qadir.
Mysticism scholars are also beginning to unearth evidence that shows mystics need not be isolated contemplates but have been radically involved in era-defining pieces of art and philosophy, poverty alleviation, and ecological action.
“All of this points to a stark need to spotlight mysticism in our accounts of religion, and to incorporate mystics’ lessons when building bridges among religions of the world today or addressing humanity’s polycrisis.
Tampere strengthens its role as a research hub of mysticism
Broadly rooted in the critical realist perspective, PRISM monitors and coordinates the funded projects and builds synergies between them. Managed at the Faculty of Social Sciences, the program also conducts its own research with a M3.3€ grant to explore the impact of mysticism on human wellbeing and flourishing.
The research team at Tampere University studies Christian, Buddhist, and Muslim mystics and those across traditions to identify how they have contributed to human flourishing or indeed may have prevented it.
“Bringing together historical and modern case studies from East and West, the project identifies the key to mysticism as an altered state of being, or what can be termed a mystical consciousness,” says PRISM Senior Researcher Tatiana Tiaynen-Qadir.
The team has begun to map out how this transformed consciousness has impacted communities. At the same time, the funding supports the program’s networking, communications, and publications.
“The program has strengthened Tampere University’s role as an international hub for research on mysticism,” says Tiia Nordström, Specialist and Project Manager of PRISM.
“PRISM not only invites leading scholars from around the world to Tampere, but is supporting 10 international conferences on mysticism, not to mention a major exhibition on mystics in society,” she continues.
Interest in mysticism is growing
The program also publishes the highly popular Substack Blog called Mystic Openings, produces The Mystic Edge open-access book series, sponsors an open-access encyclopaedia of mysticism, and supports the production of a four-part documentary series for a streaming service.
“These activities are tremendously significant in view of the growing popularity of mysticism, which often spills over religious boundaries and is not caught by traditional studies. Surveys around the world and in Finland suggest that more people, especially youth, are interested in religious experience of all kinds,” Professor Qadir says.
Accounts of classical mystics in East and West are selling in big numbers at the same time as meditation and other mystical practices mushroom.
According to Qadir all of this points to the need for the spread and depth of innovative scholarship of the kind PRISM is now sponsoring and conducting.
Templeton Religion Trust plans to consolidate its investment by committing a further €4.8 million to studying mysticism in 2027-2029. This part of the programme will also be also coordinated by PRISM at Tampere University.
PRISM - Program in the study of mysticism
Further information on PRISM website
Contact:
Ali Qadir
Professor of Sociology, Director of PRISM-Program in the Study of Mysticism
ali.qadir [at] tuni.fi (ali[dot]qadir[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358 40 190 1351
Tiia Nordström
Specialist, Project Manager of PRISM
tiia.nordstrom [at] tuni.fi (tiia[dot]nordstrom[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358 50 562 8670
