Preliminary study of religious, spiritual and mystical experiences. Thematic analysis of Poles adult’s narratives

Marta Boczkowska , Mariusz Zięba

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine narratives of the personal religious, spiritual and mystical experiences of adult Poles (N = 74) and their impact on narrative identity. The method for collecting qualitative data about individual understandings and spiritual, religious and mystical experiences was the narrative interview, developed on the basis of the Life Story Interview. During the analysis, the following key topics were identified: awareness of the presence/protection of God, a peak experience, the awareness of oneness with nature and the world, and a sense of closeness/contact with a person who has died. This study provides specific information on the spiritual, religious and mystical experiences of the investigated group of Poles.