RT Article
T1 Esotericism, Deviance, and Repression: An Introduction to the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA)
JF The journal of CESNUR
VO 1
IS 1
SP 10
OP 19
A1 Zoccatelli, PierLuigi 1965-
LA English
YR 2017
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1724502514
AB This  paper  examines  the  history  and worldview  of  MISA,  the  Movement  for  Spiritual Integration  into  the  Absolute  (MISA),  founded  in  1990  by  Romanian  esoteric  yoga  teacher  Gregorian Bivolaru.  In  the  first  part,  I  summarize  the  history  and  doctrines  of  MISA,  and  mention  the  legal controversies that  accompanied  the  movement’s  progress.  Although  the  roots  of  the  movement  are  in Siddha  Yoga  of  Tamil  Nadu  and  Tantric  Shivaism  of  Kashmir,  Bivolaru  has  in  fact  created  a  new  and creative  form  of  both  theoretical  and  practical  esotericism,  with  Indian  roots  as  well  as  Western influences.  In  particular,  I  discuss  these  sexual  techniques  of  MISA—based  on  male  continence—that most attracted the attention of both scholars and critics. I also examine the presence of a sustained anti-masonic discourse inside of MISA, as well as its interest in the existence of extraterrestrial life, which is part   of   what   some   have   called   “conspirituality,”   as   a   blend   of   conspiracy   theories   and   esoteric spirituality. Finally, I suggest several themes for further research: the esotericism of MISA, the role and charisma  of  the  leader,  eclecticism,  ritual,  and  eschatology,  all  also  relevant  for  assessing  the  societal reactions to the movement.
K1 Conspirituality
K1 Gregorian Bivolaru
K1 MISA
K1 Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute
K1 Siddha Yoga
K1 Western Esotericism
DO 10.26338/tjoc.2017.1.1.2