Experiences and Understanding
Asynchronous Session
The Art of Spiritual Transformation through Embodied Vulnerability: Reflecting on Dr. John E. Mack's Transpersonal Research on Alien Encounters View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Marina A. Smirnova, PhD
The overarching purpose of this study is to explore and deepen into the art of spiritual transformation, individual and collective. Using phenomenological, heuristic, and hermeneutic methodological approaches and lenses, we examine the art of human transformation explicated by John E. Mack, M.D., in his transpersonal research on close alien encounters. Additionally, we contemplate far-reaching, personal and transpersonal, implications of Dr. John E. Mack's research on alien encounters that expand and transform conventional religious and spiritual worldviews, artistic architectures and pursuits, and everyday experiential landscapes.
Featured Affluence and the Economy Behind Oracles - an Experiential Study of Klaros : Interplay of Politics, Religion, Economy and Individual Actors
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Recep Can Mert
Drawing from Baumard et al.'s (2015) findings on the connection between Affluence and the Emerging of Ascetic Wisdoms, this study combines the already established sensory study of the Oracle at Claros with popularizing Oracle sites, from Archaic to Classical and Rome. In doing so, the paper focuses on the lively experience and its change. Because of its subjective nature, one single entity of a notion of experience cannot be established, but boundaries can be. The Magna Mater findings around Claros, possible Lydian existence through numerous coinage findings in the patron city of Colophon, Persian influence, and the story of exile to Ephesus, while affluence of Colophon was likely, Notion and the connection of the Ionian cities to the Athenian Empire, coming of Roman Empire and establishment of new infrastructure and essential positions, as well as the demise of the Greek Sanctuaries with the rise of Christianity, are all important “macro” events that effect the overall perception and experience of the sacred spaces. Within these terms, the study uses Numismatical and Archaeological evidence, Sensory Archaeology, and Interdisciplinary study to provide a new interpretation and outlook on sacred Spaces in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. In doing so, the issues of politics and vulnerability are touched upon.
Installments, Social Networks, and Tarot Card Spreads: How Loyalty Support Strategies Work in the Modern Digitalized Russian Esoteric Market View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Maria Zharakhovich
This study identifIES strategies for maintaining consumer loyalty used by esoteric specialists in the modern digital market for esoteric services in Russia. The study was conducted utilizing a mixed method, which included semi-structured interviews with experts, followed by content analysis of their profiles on the Telegram social media platform. A total of 20 interviews were conducted and then coded using thematic coding methods. Overall, 150 public accounts of esoteric specialists were selected for content analysis and data collection took place from March to May 2024. These accounts were split into three categories based on specialization, namely, tarologists, magicians, and astrologers. The results reveal that strategies employed by esoteric specialists to maintain loyalty in the Russian digital market can be divided into two categories. The first category is aimed at increasing customer engagement and includes strategies such as offering clients a profitable deal, multi-channel communication, personalization, and image-making. The second category focuses on creating value with customers and includes referral programs, client communities, webinars, live broadcasts, esoteric courses, and customer feedback.
AI-Assisted Spirituality: Transforming the Ignatian Exercises and the Lectio Divina for Modern Leadership Development View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Michele Vincenti
Over the centuries, the Saint Ignatius Spiritual Exercises and the Lectio Divina have proven to be tools to raise self-awareness, leadership development, and ethical discernment, which are critical in leadership. However, due to the shortage of trained spiritual guides that limit the accessibility of these transformative practices, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) has shown the potential to fill the gap and act as a spiritual guide. Spirituality requires personalized and empathetic feedback that AI may not have, posing the question of whether AI can adequately provide human guidance and, at the same time, keep the authenticity and effectiveness of these practices. Privacy and ethical concerns using an AI-driven spirituality system require serious consideration. The paper uses an autoethnographic method, documenting the author's personal experience completing the Spiritual Exercises and the Mark's Gospel Lectio Divina with ChatGPT as a spiritual guide. Autoethnography is a qualitative research method that combines personal narrative and the study of cultural experience. AI successfully facilitated and structured the exercises, encouraged routine, and reduced inhibition because of the non-judgmental nature of AI. ChatGPT lacked moral accountability and empathy, as the feedback errors in overlooking emotional nuance show even if it tries to show some empathy. Three themes emerged: daily spiritual life, struggle with imperfection and faith as a personal anchor. AI-driven spirituality can complement human guidance, particularly in leadership training programs, by encouraging self-reflection and ethical decision-making skills that are important in a leader. However, the human mentor remains essential.
