Богословски опит и философия в систематичния исихазъм
In the Eastern tradition mysticism, in the proper sense, differs from the Western conception of the term. It is not recognized as religious or spiritual subjectivism. Indeed, this tradition also registers personal figurative visions, but these are tolerated and accepted only as a pedagogical and disciplining tool and not as an expression of mysticism itself. Mystical experience, i.e. theology in the proper sense (its sensory manifestation described as experience of light or warmth, without any particular image), is conceived as entering into the life of God himself. At stake is such kind of experience, which is not to be compared to any form of rational-discursive knowledge. For the Byzantine tradition mysticism does not transcend rationality, but it is the axiomatic basis of “true philosophy”. Mysticism is the deepest foundation and touchstone in the field of the theological, as well as of the ontological and epistemological dimensions of philosophy.
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