Nineteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Did mystics have sex? A straightforward yes or no cannot answer this question. To date, scholars have not arrived at a consensus, though they have tackled this puzzle via various approaches. Historians have endeavored to address this question by interpreting the writings of female mystics; theologians have attempted to find an answer that can reconcile with Catholicism or theological teachings of the Bible; psychoanalysts have tried to utilize Freudian and post-Freudian psychology to come up with an analysis that its relevance to our shared humanity, including people who lived in medieval times. This age-old puzzle has garnered significant attention due to its potential to enrich our understanding of the mystical experience and mysticism. This study will once again attempt to answer this question. Unlike previous studies which massively focus on verbal materials, the current study aims to focus on images and investigate nonverbal cues, i.e., a few facial features such as facial expressions, eye openness, mouth openness, and also body language like hand gestures, and postures to shed light on this age-old puzzle. By analyzing the facial expressions and body language in images of Catholic mystics during mystical states and comparing them with the nonverbal cues of men and women during sexual intercourse, this study advances our understanding of the true nature of mystical experiences.