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Critical Analysis of Two Contradictory Approaches in The Formation of Mystical Works. LCQ 2021; 14 (55) :31-68
URL: http://lcq.modares.ac.ir/article-29-54291-en.html

Abstract
Following the foundations of the flow of modernity and the positivism paradigm on the level of human life, moral crises in various dimensions and social anomalies were formed in the epistemology of relativism in the Western world. Consequently, its intellectual foundations of thought were strongly criticized by rival schools, even in the West itself. On this basis, the leaders of the capitalist system, in order to cover their weaknesses, and to consolidate their epistemic foundations with another element called mysticism, have tried to consolidate their attitude and worldview. In this research by adopting a descriptive-analytical method based on interpretive approach, ten works from the most prominent mystical-educational novels of the world (blade edge, Siddhartha, Jonathan Sea Bird, Magic Mountain, World Sophie, and Warrior of the Light, Little Prince, and Three Thousands with Murray, Mystery and Heavenly Prophecy) have been selected to be investigated. The findings of the study indicated that the themes and content of selected works can be categorized in two opposing groups. The first group is critical to the capitalist system and tries to provide a way out of the crisis, while the other defends the capitalist system and its cultural and social values, which led to the formation of mystical and quasi-mystical works in the West.
Extended abstract
Introduction: Renaissance and Capitalistic attitudes conduced to fundamental socio-cultural changes in the modern man’s life. In spite of its positive achievement, this intellectual paradigm introduced culturally and psychologically negative and contradictory dimensions into human life. Of the most important consequences of this approach in human life one can point to is prioritizing the burgeoning individualism, utilitarianism, and hedonism (Gardner, 1386), giving precedence to pure rationalism, alienation, and reification (Emamjom’e et al, 1395, pp. 204-207; Sadeghi, Fasa’ei, and Erfanmanesh, 1394, pp. 65-70) and various social misdemeanors like war crimes, social delinquencies, terrorism and carnages. Various approaches have emerged to help humanity out of the status quo. The epistemic frameworks of Postmodernism and Critical Theory were among the approaches which depicted a satisfactory structure to emancipate human beings from the existing state of affairs (Haghighat, 1392, pp. 518-520; Lacht, 1377, p. 286). Some of the social scientists started critiquing this development. For example: Max Weber called prioritization of pure rationalism the iron cage of bureaucracy and human alienation (1982, pp. 187 -179). If we consider literature as a prism reflecting the desires and the needs of man, one of the boldest spectrums and greatest functions of this imaginative prism is to reflect the shared human emotions, insights and beliefs of which those works of literature which have attained the status of a masterpiece could bear the onus of such an undertaking comme il faut. Hence, of the most valuable sources for reading are masterpieces of which anthropomorphic concerns were the drive for their creation. What is being pursued in this study is to investigate the evaluation of human nature in the significant mystical works of the twentieth century. The main problem is the issues these works are dealing with which made the audience overwhelmingly welcoming for them.
Methodology: The resonant clash between the two paradigms of positivism and interpretivism in social sciences has been manifested in terms of several binaries concerning ontological, epistemological, anthropomorphic and methodological features of these two approaches. The method this study adopted was that the author has tried to selectively pick the various and significant works in this genre which were written through an analytical and critiquing angle and at the same time investigate the cultural, social and literary developments of western world comprehensively.  After describing and analyzing the content of these works with an interpretivist outlook, the author examined and surveyed the socio-literary situation of the western world at that time which had led to the creation of the aforementioned works.           
Findings/Conclusion: Scientific and epistemological development which is among the aftermaths of scientific and industrial revolution of the Twentieth Century has brought about two mystical approaches in the fictional works of world’s eminent writers:

1. The dominant network which reins over the contemporary world of ours, has created and promoted a secular type of mysticism (a blending of oriental mysticism with a mixture of ideas from occidental schools of thought like humanism and secularism). This has led to the creation of works like Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and The Warrior of Light and Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret and The Magic and James Redfield’s The Celestine Prophecy. Some of these works like Coelho’s and Byrne’s were among the world bestsellers and found international fans and readership. The following are among their characteristics:

1. All of them has a polished appearance which is very similar to Islamic mysticism, but they are quite dissimilar in their intentions and method. The aforementioned works are all concerned with the realization of worldly and materialistic goals; bridging the gap caused by estrangement of man from religions and restoring her spiritual and physical abilities.              
2. These works manifest a kind of mystical journey which take as its core belief the idea that human thoughts have a magnetic ability and is capable of bringing change to her life. Good thoughts like hope, belief, and optimism can beget happiness and wealth while bad thoughts such as negativity, fear, and anger hinder happiness and felicity.
3. Every person’s fate is a direct result of her or his own thoughts and actions. Each person can achieve her or his goals through perseverance, hard work and good feeling.
4. Of other mutual and common themes and teachings between these works and Persian mystical and didactic literature we can pinpoint the love-centeredness of creation, cosmic and humanistic interaction and correspondence, universal language of signs, carpe diem, perseverance of the traveler [in the spiritual journey], the necessity of an old wise mentor, and the necessity of concurrence with fate.
5. The primary goal in these works is to attain earthly riches and worldly position; something which is utterly abhorred to Islamic mysticism.

2. The next group includes works which following the prevalence of Modernity and the dominance of absolute positivism-relativism over epistemology of human life, endeavor to undermine the status quo and offer a favorable order in its stead. Among these works we can highlight didactic-mystical novels such as Somerset Maugham’s The Razor’s Edge, Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha, Jostein Gaarder’s Sophie’s World, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’ The Little Prince, Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The major features of these works are:

1. Going through past and present in order to fathom the meaning of life: modern world is unable to tackle its spiritual crises due to overrating reason and too much dependence on technology and materialism.
2. Critique of materialism: rationalism, scientism, humanism, individualism, secularism, and materialism are the most important tenets of Modern World.
3. The role of love in life: loving is the root of eternity.
4. Tranquility and satisfaction: one of the lost elements of the modern person’s life is peace of mind and equilibrium and this has led to her/his anxiety and distress which in its own turn is the reason why psychologists and sociologists consider it the main psychological disorder of our time. In spite of all industrial advancements, a human being who has lost her/his connection to the nature, universe, and essence of being is bewildered and distraught. S/he tries to entertain oneself with friendship, love, satisfying her carnal needs, enjoying oneself and having fun, etc. so that s/he can find tranquility but her/his existential anxiety remains in place and is not gone.
5. Thinking about death: one of the main mythological and religious issues in the mankind’s life throughout history has been the question of death.  Fearing death, some (materialists) deem it to be the end of life. In mysticism, however, death is not the end of life but is the beginning of the eternal life of human soul.