 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Humanities
- ISSN: 2155-7993
- Journal of Modern Education Review
Bodily Techniques as Aspects of Generating Religious Identity:
Considering the Example of the Desert Fathers
Stefan Herse M. A.
(Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany)
Abstract: The body and specific bodily techniques and modifications can help induce special experiences through patterns of imitations and in doing so create a new identity of the religious subject. In this regard subjects force to make bodily experiences and want to live and generate their particular religious identity through bodily actions. The Ancient Christian Desert Fathers are one specific religious phenomenon. They give us proof for seeking transcendent modi of consciousness and transforming identity by means of bodily techniques. In relation to that it is demonstrated how the body as a research theme can serve as leverage point for a cross-disciplinary approach of religious experience and identity. Moreover it is shown how identity, meaning in a certain religious system, personal emotions and cognitive mediation, in short biological variables and socio-culturally conditioned expectations form an interplay which demands to understand religion and religious experience more holistic and in concrete interdependence with bodily performances.
Key words: human body, religious experience, Christian Desert Fathers