Organised by the Mysticism & Lived Experience Network

For IMC 2023 the Mysticism & Lived Experience Network is organizing a series of panels exploring the networks that developed between mystics, within their local and regional communities, and supported them and their works. These networks were essential for the composition and transmission of the mystics’ texts, the validation of their experiences, their spiritual and theological development, and their understanding of religious life, as well as the funding of their communities and charitable works. Such communities also aided prospective canonisation processes and promoted the circulation of ideas that influenced and initiated new generations of mystics into the calling.

We welcome papers on subjects including but not limited to:
•Influence and transmission of ideas between mystics or those outside of their communities•The relationships between mystics and their confessors/scribes
•Communal writing of mystical texts
•Witnesses to mystical experiences and their significance
•The influence of religious and secular texts on mystical works•Networks of patronage and promotion of mystics and their communities
•Familialnetworks in the lives and works of mystics

We seek proposals for 15-20-minute papers, exploring the theme of medieval mystics and their networks. Please submit abstracts of up to 300 words (along with a brief CV) to AJ Langley and Einat Klafter at lifeandmystics@gmail.com by 18 September 2022.

The Mysticism & Lived Experience Network is dedicated to supporting the study of the lived experiences of medieval mystics and visionaries. The network brings together scholars from diverse fields whose research examines how the personal and the biographical contribute to the spiritual and theological outlook of individualmystics and holy persons