This dissertation examines the spiritual experiences of the first British Methodist lay people and the language used to describe those experiences. Within the historiography of Methodism, such physical manifestations as shouting, weeping, groaning, visions, and out-of-body experiences have often been relegated to the periphery of scholarship. It would seem, however, that for many laity, they played a significant role in their process of spiritual development. This work aims to explore the perspective of Methodist laity through manuscript accounts of conversions and deathbed moments. It reveals lay people’s first impressions of Methodism, their conflicted feelings throughout the conversion process, their approach toward death and dying, and their mixed attitudes toward the task of writing itself. Relying heavily on firsthand accounts solicited by Charles Wesley in the 1740s, this work features the voices of women and men of varying literate abilities and social status. This study examines firstly the multiple media through which lay people received evangelical messages, expanding the term “media” to include not only traditional printed sources such as sermons and devotional reading, but also such phenomena as divine voices, visions and other direct supernatural encounters. It then turns to the task of expressing spiritual experience, revealing the problematic nature of early Methodist spiritual autobiography and the passive strategies employed by laity to legitimate writing about the self. This dissertation demonstrates the struggle to rely on unreliable “feelings” (both emotions and physical sensations) as an indicator of spiritual progress. Far from peripheral, the body and bodily language played important roles in spiritual transformation, even as they were constantly renegotiated as part of that transformation. For instance, the visualization of the “vile self” signified the activation of the “eye of faith,” which enabled many early writers to transition from a “worldly” conception of self-sufficiency to a new kind of subjectivity based on being subject to a divine authority. This study follows the trajectory of spiritual development into the final moments of life, which often proved a prime opportunity for mutual evangelization between the dying individual and her spectators. Taken together, these experiences offer an intimate perspective on the origins of the evangelical revival.

This study brings together the scattered body of criteria contemporary scholars have used to identify divine communications (a sub-category of religious and spiritual experiences), presented as a new Model of Academic Criteria for Divine Communication. It compares the scholarly criteria in the Model of Academic Criteria for Divine Communication to the criteria that participants themselves (thirty-two Catholic sisters) used to distinguish divine communications from other types of experience. On the basis of this comparison, it suggests a new, altered set of criteria for future use in studying divine communications, formulated as a Model of Participants\' Criteria for Divine Communication. It expands upon current research focused on the experiences of evangelical Protestants by providing the first scholarly report of modern American Catholic experiences of divine communications. / Master of Arts

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Although music is commonly considered to be a form of entertainment by musicians, fans, and scholars, its religio-spiritual dimension goes widely unrecognized. However, throughout history many cultures and thinkers have emphasized the importance of music in matters of ritual and worship. The intimate association of religion and music in these ancient cultures has led contemporary scholars to rethink the relationship between popular music and religion in terms of its spiritually transformative aspects. This thesis explores some of the more prominent views of the past regarding this religiospiritual dimension, and presents certain contemporary scholarly analyses, along with those of musicians and funs, in order to show the relevance these worldviews have today. Accordingly, this thesis emphasizes the spiritually transformative power of popular music and demonstrates that the element of entertainment is but one of many inherent within the musical experience.

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The main aim of the dissertation is to examine the importance of the moment in relation to human experience and to the narrative in the writings of Stig Dagerman (1923-1954), primarily the novels Ormen (The Snake, 1945), De dömdas ö (The Island of the Doomed, 1946), Bränt barn (A Burnt Child, 1948), Bröllopsbesvär (Wedding Worries, 1949), the short stories "Den hängdes träd" (The Hanging Tree, 1945) and "De röda vagnarna" (The Red Wagons, 1946). The dissertation shows the moment as being of crucial importance by serving as the point of time for the fictional character’s critical experience. The moment also functions as a structuring principle for the narrative. In this, the discussion is supported by the theories on the chronotope found in the work of Mikhail Bakhtin. With the ideas of Michael Riffaterre as the principal theoretical basis in the study, the reading of the texts focuses on a matrix common to the works discussed. The reading goes from a description of the primarily profane subject matter of the narrative to an understanding of the religious discourse in the works. This interpretation receives additional support in the theories on religious and mystical experiences found in Rudolf Otto. Finally, the dissertation focuses on man’s sensitivity to, and longing for, a transcendental entity or a God in the broadest sense – a longing which manifests itself in different ways in these texts and is set against the human predicament of being. Man’s desperate religious longing for a transcendental entity or a God are ultimately understood as the significance or principle of unity in the texts under discussion.

The present study explored the relationship between Latter-day Saint (LDS) seminary students' in-class oral participation and their perceived in-class spiritual experiences according to LDS theology. Since the release of the Teaching Emphasis in 2003, LDS seminary leadership has consistently emphasized the facilitating relationship between student in-class oral participation and desired spiritual outcomes of LDS seminary students. However, no known studies to date have gathered and analyzed data specific to varied amounts of LDS seminary student in-class oral participation or perceptions of in-class spiritual experience to evaluate the relationship between these two variables. Data regarding in-class oral participation and perceived spiritual experience were obtained via a self-report survey from 563 LDS seminary students. Participants were from classes of 25 randomly selected released-time LDS seminary teachers in Salt Lake, Summit, and Wasatch counties in the state of Utah. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and analysis of variance. Findings indicated a statistically significant correlation (r = .32, p < .01) between self-reported amounts of participant seminary students' in-class oral participation and perceived spiritual experience, with four significant (p < .05) oral participatory predictors of perceived spiritual experience (reading/reciting something out loud, explaining LDS doctrines to others, singing, and testifying to others by expressing beliefs), and significant mean differences (p < .05) of perceived in-class spiritual experience between low, medium, and high oral participating seminary students. The present study explores the practical implications and recommendations for future research from these findings.

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nÃo hà / Esta tese apresenta uma pesquisa qualitativa, sobre a construÃÃo da experiÃncia espiritual e sua problematizaÃÃo como lugar de superaÃÃo dos limites do paradigma biomÃdico e se propÃe a contribuir para a reflexÃo sobre espiritualidade na educaÃÃo mÃdica em trÃs cenÃrios: no contexto em que as mÃes recorrem a explicaÃÃes transcendentais quando na enfermaria MÃe-Canguru na Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand; junto aos sujeitos que buscam os rezadores no Programa de SaÃde da FamÃlia Novo Iracema, em Maranguape; e atravÃs das narrativas de sujeitos que vivenciaram experiÃncia de quase-morte (EQM) e experiÃncia de quase-morte sÃmile (desdobramento). A pesquisa tem como metodologia a histÃria oral temÃtica (mÃtodo de pesquisa antropolÃgico â ciÃncia do indivÃduo), utilizando entrevistas semi-estruturadas, com uma abordagem transdisciplinar, numa perspectiva multirreferencial, ou seja, uma leitura plural, utilizando sistemas de referÃncias distintos; obtendo as narrativas dos depoentes acerca das reflexÃes sobre a construÃÃo da experiÃncia espiritual nos percursos educacionais vividos nos processos de adoecimento e cura; com o objetivo de estudar o que essas experiÃncias apontam como perspectiva de superaÃÃo dos limites do paradigma biomÃdico. As narrativas foram gravadas, transcritas em seguida foi realizada a anÃlise, cotejando com o referencial teÃrico desta tese: ciÃncia da educaÃÃo, ciÃncia mÃdica e o pensamento espÃrita em seu aspecto religioso, filosÃfico e cientÃfico. As anÃlise no corpo deste estudo, levaram à compreensÃo: da necessidade de uma nova conceituaÃÃo do sujeito humano (como ser espiritual); da necessidade de se considerar as produÃÃes simbÃlicas que remetem à dimensÃo transcendente, considerando os fenÃmenos da ordem espiritual, como fenÃmenos que devem ser considerados em medicina; as experiÃncias de quase-morte e os desdobramentos sugerem a existÃncia de uma individualidade extra-corpÃrea, consciente, com identidade, inteligÃncia, memÃria, dotado de faculdades transcendentes, capazes de vivenciar experiÃncias como seres espirituais, as quais devem ser levadas em consideraÃÃo na prÃtica mÃdica, principalmente na relaÃÃo mÃdico-paciente com sujeitos em coma e no momento do processo de morte e repensar o tempo de reanimaÃÃo e os critÃrios utilizados para determinaÃÃo do sucesso dessas manobras; de que estudos multirreferenciados utilizando o pensamento espÃrita, na perspectiva religiosa, filosÃfica e cientÃfica deverÃo ser realizados, desenvolvendo o paradigma mÃdico-espÃrita, como contribuiÃÃo relevante para a medicina / This thesis presents a qualitative research about the development of the spiritual experience and itâs problematization on how overcoming the limits of the biomedical paradigm, and proposes to contribute on the reflection about spirituality in medical education in three situations: the context in which the mothers of opt to use transcendental explanations for their experiences in the Nursery Mother Kangaroo in the hospital Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand; along subjects who search for an specific group of people, prayers, in the Family Health Program Novo Iracema, in Maranguape; and through the narratives of subjects who have gone through near-death experiences and near-death simile (out-of-body experience). The research uses as thematic methodology the oral history (an anthropologic method of research â individual science), using semi-structured interviews, with transdiciplinary approach , in a multireferential perspective, which were meant as an attempt at a plural reading, using distinct reference systems; obtaining the narratives of the subjects of the subjects about their reflections over the development of the spiritual experience throughout the processes of ailment and cure; proposing to study what these experiences point as a perspective of overcoming limits of the biomedical paradigm. The narratives were recorded, transcripted and analyzed, according to the theoretical references of this thesis: science of education, medical science and the spiritist theory in itâs religious aspect, philosophical and scientific. The analysis presented in the course of this study lead to the understanding: of the need for a new concept for the human being (as an spiritual being); of the need to consider the symbolic productions that alludes to a transcendental dimension, considering the spiritual phenomena which must be taken under consideration in medicine. The near-death experiences, and the out-of-body experiences suggest the existence of an out-of-body individuality, conscious, with identity, intelligence, memory, with transcendental abilities, capable of having experiences with other spiritual beings, which must be considered in the medical practice, especially in the relationship doctor-patient with subjects in coma and close to death and rethink the reanimation period and he criteria used to establish the success of these maneuvers; that of multireferential study utilizing the sipiritist theory, in the religious perspective, philosophical and scientific should be made, developing the medical-spiritist paradigm as a relative contribution for medicine

Dans un paysage religieux québécois qui s'est profondément transformé, même si l’on constate une désaffection des églises catholiques, certaines formes de dévotion restent importantes, en particulier la dévotion au Saint Frère André. Canonisé par le Pape Benoît XVI en octobre 2010, Saint Frère André est le premier Saint homme natif du Canada. Il est à l’origine de la construction de l’Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal, le plus grand Sanctuaire dédié à Saint Joseph au monde. Il est un personnage important au Québec. Selon les données du Sanctuaire, chaque année, deux millions de visiteurs se rendent à l'Oratoire. Ces visiteurs ont plusieurs profils. Ce sont soit des personnes dévotes venant de Montréal ou des environs, des touristes religieux ou des pèlerins. Cette thèse traite de la dévotion au Saint Frère André à l’Oratoire. L’objectif principal est de comprendre les expressions et pratiques de cette dévotion populaire ainsi que l'expérience vécue par les dévots dans ce lieu de pèlerinage, à l’aide d’une approche ethnographique combinée à une étude d’archives des billets d’intentions recueillis à l’Oratoire au cours de l’année 2010 et 2018. Les dix observations réalisées dans les cinq lieux de recueillement dédiés au Saint Frère André, les cinquante entrevues menées auprès de personnes dévotes et l’étude de mille billets d’intentions mettent en évidence la relation de confiance et d’amitié que les personnes entretiennent avec le Saint. Cette relation est entretenue par la perception de manifestations attribuées au divin, telles que des miracles de guérison, des apparitions et des visions qui, pour les dévots, attestent de l’existence d’un échange de biens de charité entre ciel et terre. Il ressort de cette thèse l’importance du rôle d’intercesseur de Saint Frère André dans les pratiques de dévotion ainsi que son rôle dans la mémoire collective québécoise comme en témoignent les relations historiques que bon nombre de familles ont développées avec le Saint. La prière est le lieu premier de la rencontre, le véhicule par lequel les dévots rencontrés communiquent avec Saint Frère André. Quant aux pratiques de dévotion, elles s’expriment sous de multiples formes : reliques, espaces de dévotions, statues, objets de piété, huile de Saint Joseph, images, culte, pèlerinages, etc. La dévotion populaire n’étant pas contrôlée par l’institution religieuse, elle donne libre cours aux expressions religieuses spontanées tant dans les rituels que dans l’écriture votive. / The religious landscape in Quebec has changed profoundly, even though the disaffection of the Catholic churches, some forms of devotion remain important, especially the devotion to Saint Brother André. Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in October 2010, Saint Brother André is the first Canadian-born male Saint. He is responsible for the construction of Saint Joseph’s Oratory, the largest shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph in the world, and he is an important figure in Quebec. According to the Sanctuary’s data, every year, two million visitors visit the Oratory. These visitors have several profiles, they are either devout people from Montreal or the surrounding area, religious tourists, or pilgrims. This thesis deals with the devotion to Saint Brother André at the Saint Joseph Oratory of Mount Royal. The main objective is to understand the expressions and practices of this popular devotion as well as the experience lived by the devotees in this place of pilgrimage, using an ethnographic approach, which is based on a combined archival study of prayer intentions collected at the Oratory during the years 2010 and 2018. The ten observations made in the five places of prayer dedicated to Saint Brother André, the fifty interviews conducted with devotees and the study of about a hundred prayer intentions highlight the relationship of trust and friendship that people have with the Saint. This relationship is sustained by the perception of manifestations attributed to the divine, such as healing miracles, apparitions, and visions that, for the devotees, testify to the existence of an exchange of goods of charity between Heaven and Earth. This thesis shows the importance of the role of intercessor of Saint Brother André in the collective memory of Quebec, as evidenced by the historical relations that many families have developed with the Saint. Prayer is the first place of the encounter, the vehicle through which the devotees meet and communicate with Saint Brother André. As for devotional practices, they are expressed in many forms: relics, devotional spaces, statues, objects of piety, oil of Saint Joseph, images, worship, pilgrimages, etc. Since popular devotion is not controlled by the religious institution, it gives free rein to spontaneous religious expressions both in rituals and in votive writing.