Mytho-Mystic Literature
Year:2011 | Volume:7 | Issue:23|Papers Count:9

According to Jungian Archetypes, the story of Sheikh San'an is the story of confronting conscious and unconscious. Sheikh San'an was a well-known man of religion, who, after having spent fifty years of his life worshiping God almighty, fell in love with a young beautiful Christian girl.The archetypes of anima, wise old man (pir-e dana) and hero, and other concepts such as shadow, rebirthing and journey can be explored from Jungian point of view.Considering the Jungian concept of individuation, the present article strives to analyze the story of Sheikh San'an.

Seyyed Mohammad Noorbakhsh (1392-1464), Khorasanian mystic and the founder of Noorbakhshiyye Order, is influenced by Ibn Arabi (1165-1240), the famous Islamic mystic.The present article, by considering the thoughts and discussions of Seyyed Mohammad Noorbakhsh, tries to show the very influence of Ibn Arabi on the subjects of "unity of Being", "the Seal of saintship" and "the Perfect Man".

Bijan and Manijeh is the love story of Bijan, the son of Giv and a great Persian warrior, and Manijeh, the daughter of Afrasiab, the king of Turan and greatest enemy of Iran.The story has a deep connection with Mithraism and the seven labors of heroes (Haft-Khan). After the process of learning Mithraism, Bijan begins his journey to Arman with the intention of killing wild boars (symbol of slaying dragons). And in Turan he practices ascetic, sleeping in grave, travelling in dark and cold roads.The present article, studying the story of Bijan and Manijeh, tries to show the mystic aspects of the story with respect to Mithraism.

Why are modern writers, in the age of science and technology, so obsessed with myth? Why do they return to mythic themes, using and rewriting them? These are the question that the present article tries to answer. Changing the view of modern man toward the nature of myths, expressing the complexities of modern life through myths, creating a modern hero with regard to mythic heroes, creating texts that utilize myths are some of the reasons why mythology has been paid attention to in the modern era.

Dhammapada is a versified philosophic and ethical Buddhist scripture traditionally ascribed to the Gautama Buddha himself.For a long time Buddhism preserved its strongholds in the east of ancient Iran, especially in Balkh. Balkh was also one of the origins of Islamic mysticism. It can be imagined that because of proximity, teachings of Buda have influenced Muslim mystics.Based on Dhammapada and with regard to Islamic mystical texts, the present article tries to study esoteric abodes and stages of spiritual journey in Buddhism and Islamic mysticism.

Folktale (fable, fairy tale, legend) is a traditional anonymous narrative, handed down orally, forming part of the oral tradition of the common people. Passing beliefs and ideas from one generation to another is the basic function of folktale.Totemism is a primitive religious belief associated with the foremost and ancient religions. The totem is usually an animal, a plant or some other natural figure that spiritually represents a group of related people such as a clan.The present article attempts to analyze totemic figures, esp. those of animals and plants, in Iranian folktales.

In a dialogue between God and Moses, God said: "I am your lord, remove your sandals, for you are in Towa, the sacred valley" (TA-HA: 12). This verse and the concept of removal of the sandals (Khal'e Nalein) have been subjects of discussion among Islamic mystics and the commentators of Quran. They have raised two questions:1- what is meant by the phrase "removal of the sandals"? and2- what are those sandals symbolizing?Muslim mystics believe "Khal'e Nalein" can be referred to fear and hope, corporal attachments and the carnal soul.After expressing the Old Testament's narration, in the present article attempt is made to analyze the concept of "Khal'e Nalein" based on an old Quranic interpretation.