How do people interpret and find meaning in an
unintentional, unexpected mystical encounter? This
interpretive study investigates this type of
experience with people who were not searching for
such an experience when it occurred.
The study focused on: 1) specific elements of
the experience(s), 2) the meaning-making processes in
which participants engaged to interpret the
experience(s), 3) the dynamics of self-disclosure and
potential for stigmatization, and 4) the effect the
experience(s) had on the participants beliefs as
well as career and lifestyle choices.
The literatures from...