POSITIVE DISINTEGRATION IN MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES: A PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY OF MURIEL MAUFROY’S RUMI’S DAUGHTER

Abstract

This article adopts Dabrowski’s theory of positive disintegration to investigate the relationship between psychology and mysticism. This study examines a psychological analysis of the mystical experience of a character (mystic) named Kimya in Muriel Maufroy’s novel “Rumi’s Daughter”. The analysis of the study is based on the questions such as ‘how the mystic’s experience of the divine can be translated in terms of a psychological process of personality disintegration initiated by a conflict, deconstruction of preconceived notions and beliefs and ultimately leading towards secondary integration of personality. The results of the study reveal certain parallels between the process of personality development and mystical experience. It settles the argument that the culmination of mystical union underlies psychological well-being and serenity on the part of the mystic. The study also shows that mystics are those rare individuals who are capable of reaching the final level of personality development characterized by self-autonomy and a higher level of consciousness.