# Transcendence and Transformation ## expand\_more ![Transcendence and Transformation logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/2024-08/t-t-logo.jpg) Transcendence and Transformation is an initiative to study religious and spiritual traditions and practices—ancient and modern, global in reach—that aim to transcend our normal states of being, consciousness, and embodiment, and thus to transform the individual, community, and society. This initiative affirms the existence of the sacred, different levels of reality, seen and unseen, and different modes of access to them. This initiative will investigate what might be called “metaphysics and mysticism,” by which is meant the traditions across time, people, and place that have cultivated practices of transcendence and transformation, and have articulated scaffolded worldviews to make sense of those practices. Throughout history and across cultures, humans have developed rituals and practices to explore and to experience different levels of reality. These practices include many modes and means of transcendence and transformation—from silence to song, from sitting meditation to ecstatic dance, from spiritual reading of texts to psychedelic sacraments, and many more besides. These methods have been developed for exploration and expanded experience, but also for treating ills that afflict the individual and the group – ills that today go by such names as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These “spiritual exercises” are often termed “ecstatic”—that is, they usher us outside (ek-) our accustomed states of being and understanding (stasis), and invite us into new relationship with ourselves, our fellow humans, and our more-than-human neighbors, including the earth’s mineral, plant, and animal life, but also those beings we name spirits, angels, demons, and gods—visible and invisible, real and imagined, malevolent and benign. As is fitting for the CSWR, it studies the traditions of transcendence and transformation in the so-called "world religions," but also those traditions excluded by that framework, including indigenous religious traditions, and those that have been, for better or for worse, grouped under such categories as “animism,” “paganism,” and “shamanism” (to name only a few). Transcendence and Transformation also studies these traditions and practices as a resource for contemporary religion and spirituality—the ways elements of these traditions and practices are continually disassembled and reassembled for contemporary use—what often goes under the name of “syncretism”—especially by so-called “seekers” and those who identify as “spiritual but not religious.” We invite you to learn more about the initiative and to participate in our events, study groups, and other activities. *Logo design by* [*Point Five Design*](https://point5.com/)*.* ## Transcendence and Transformation Event Videos [### Video: Global Ayahuasca: A Book Talk with Anthropologist Alex Gearin ](/news/2026/03/26/video-global-ayahuasca-book-talk-anthropologist-alex-gearin) March 26, 2026 Ayahuasca originated in the Amazon and has long been considered sacred by many Indigenous and mestizo communities across South America. Fueled by the “psychedelic renaissance” and growing interest in its visionary and healing potential, groups serving the... ![Title card for Book Talk with Alex Gearin](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.Psychedelics.Book%20Talk%20Alex%20Gearin%20Global%20Ayahuasca%20%281%29.png?itok=6DxLc8rX) [### Video: Pop Apocalypse: Integrating Wisdom Christianity and “The Work” of G.I. Gurdjieff: A Talk with Cynthia Bourgeault ](/news/2026/01/07/video-pop-apocalypse-integrating-wisdom-christianity-and-work-gi-gurdjieff-talk) January 07, 2026 In Pop Apocalypse, Ep. 18, we welcome theologian, author, and Episcopal priest Cynthia Bourgeault, whose work combines the Christian contemplative and wisdom traditions, “The Work” of GI Gurdjieff, and the philosophy of Henry Corbin into a lived mystical... ![Episode Thumbnail with photo of Cynthia Bourgeault and Pop Apocalypse branding](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-01/Youtube%20thumbnail.Pop%20Apocalyspe_finaltemplate%20%281%29.png?itok=xttX9WfU) [### Video: Arts & Crafts Divine: How Spiritual Expertise Is Made with Olivia Cejvan ](/news/2025/12/17/video-arts-crafts-divine-how-spiritual-expertise-made-olivia-cejvan) December 17, 2025 ![Title card for Gnoseologies Episode: Arts and Crafts Divine with Olivia Cejvan](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.%20Gnoseologies.Olivia%20Cejvan%2012.17.25.png%20%281%29.png?itok=fvjRQUUN) [### Video: Esoteric identities: Helena P. Blavatsky as a woman philosopher? With Tim Rudbøg ](/news/2025/12/10/video-esoteric-identities-helena-p-blavatsky-woman-philosopher-tim-rudbog) December 10, 2025 What counts as philosophy—and who gets to be recognized as a philosopher? In conversation with Gnoseologies host Giovanna Parmigiani, Tim Rudbøg explores Helena Petrovna Blavatsky’s engagement with major philosophical questions of being, consciousness... ![Title card for Esoteric Identities: Helena P. Blavatsky as a woman philosopher?](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.%20Gnoseologies.Tim%20Rudb%C3%B8g%2012.10.25.png%20%281%29.png?itok=8Ai2k76V) [### Raving, Recreation, & Religion with Michelle Lhooq and Luis Manuel Garcia-Mispireta ](/news/2025/11/05/raving-recreation-religion-michelle-lhooq-and-luis-manuel-garcia-mispireta) November 05, 2025 According to the 2024 Global Psychedelic Survey, while personal growth and well-being are common reasons for illicit drug use, recreation—music events, festivals, parties, raves—remains a leading but poorly defined motive. This panel featured Michelle... ![Title card for Raving, Recreation, & Religion](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.Psychedelics.Raving%20Recreation%20Religion.%20Lhooq%20Garcia-M%2011.5.25%20%281%29.png?itok=5f2dBjdK) [### Om-gnosis Episode 12: Searching for Sabhapati Swami and Siddha Songs in South Asia ](/news/2025/10/21/om-gnosis-episode-12-searching-sabhapati-swami-and-siddha-songs-south-asia) October 21, 2025 In this episode of Om-gnosis: The Occult South Asia Podcast, host Keith Edward Cantú summarizes his summer tour through India and Bangladesh, exploring spiritual traditions, rare books on Sri Sabhapati Swami, and major cultural landmarks, including the... ![Title card for Om-gnosis Episode 12](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.Om-gnosis%20Ep%2012%20%282%29.png?itok=kT209p32) [### Video: Pop Apocalypse: Mysticism and the Simulation Hypothesis – A Talk with Rizwan Virk ](/news/2025/10/17/video-pop-apocalypse-mysticism-and-simulation-hypothesis-talk-rizwan-virk) October 17, 2025 Do we live inside a Matrix-like simulation? For Episode 17 of Pop Apocalypse , we welcome one of the leading theorists behind the simulation hypothesis, Rizwan Virk, to discuss that question. Virk is an entrepreneur, videogame pioneer, and academic author... ![Title card for Pop Apocalypse Episode 17 with Rizwan Virk](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.Pop%20Apocalypse%20Ep%2017.png?itok=6gMeULBi) [### Video: Shamanism: The Timeless Religion – a Conversation Between Manvir Singh and Charles Stang ](/news/2025/10/15/video-shamanism-timeless-religion-conversation-between-manvir-singh-and-charles) October 15, 2025 Anthropologist Manvir Singh, PhD, joined Professor Charles Stang for a conversation about Singh’s new book, Shamanism: The Timeless Religion (Knopf, 2025), which draws on immersive research with shamans in Indonesia and the Colombian Amazon. Singh... ![Title card for Book Talk: Shamanism with Manvir Singh](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.Psychedelics.Shamanism%20Book%20Talk%20Singh%20%281%29.png?itok=g8dyAkGg) [### Video: Pop Apocalypse: AI, Hip-Hop, and the Digital Uncanny – A Talk with Paul Miller, aka "DJ Spooky" ](/news/2025/09/19/video-pop-apocalypse-ai-hip-hop-and-digital-uncanny-talk-paul-miller-aka-dj-spooky) September 19, 2025 For Episode 16 of Pop Apocalypse, we welcome composer, artist, and media theorist Paul Miller. Miller is best known for his music as DJ Spooky, the avant-garde turntableist who has collaborated with artists ranging from Chuck D to Yoko Ono. He has also re... ![Title card for Pop Apocalypse Episode 16 with Paul Miller](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.Pop%20Apocalypse%20Ep%2016.png?itok=rte5fF_I) [### Video: Postapocalyptic Futures: Visionary Landscapes in Northern Peru ](/news/2025/03/05/video-postapocalyptic-futures-visionary-landscapes-northern-peru) March 05, 2025 In this conversation with Gnosologies host Giovanna Parmigiani, Ana Mariella Bacigalupo, Professor of Anthropology at the University at Buffalo, shared how sentient mountains and lakes (Apus), channeled by Northern Peruvian shamans, addressed the greatest... ![Title card for Gnoseologies Episode: Postapocalyptic Futures with Ana Mariella Bacigalupo](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.%20Gnoseologies.Ana%20Mariella%20Bacigalupo%20%281%29.png?itok=LzqHdjs_) [### Audio/Video: Pop Apocalypse Episode 12: Black Metal and Orthodox Christianity ](/news/2025/03/04/audiovideo-pop-apocalypse-episode-12-black-metal-and-orthodox-christianity) March 04, 2025 A Talk with Haela Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix of Liturgy. ![Title card for Pop Apocalypse Episode 12 with Haela Ravenna](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.Pop%20Apocalypse%20Ep%2012.png?itok=Jdsjydp1) [### Om-gnosis Episode 5: “Om” History and Practice from Vedic Period to Present Day ~ The Whole World is “Om” ](/news/2025/02/06/om-gnosis-episode-5-om-history-and-practice-vedic-period-present-day-whole-world-om) February 06, 2025 A Talk With Finnian M. Moore Gerety ![Title card for Om-gnosis Episode 5 with Finnian M. Moore Gerety](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.Om-gnosis%20Ep%205%20%281%29.png?itok=-DrIL3HQ) [### Video: Embodied Ethnographies of Healing: Senses, Images, and Trance ](/news/2025/01/09/video-embodied-ethnographies-healing-senses-images-and-trance) January 09, 2025 With Anthropologist Emily Pierini ![Title card for Gnoseologies Episode: Embodied Ethnographies with Emily Pierini](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.%20Gnoseologies.Emily%20Pierini%20%281%29.png?itok=RGMon1l7) [### Video: The Spider Dance Tradition, Time, and Healing in Southern Italy ](/news/2024/12/10/video-spider-dance-tradition-time-and-healing-southern-italy) December 10, 2024 A book talk with Giovanna Parmigiani, on her new book *The Spider Dance: Tradition, Time, and Healing in Southern Italy* ![Title card for Gnoseologies Episode: Book Talk: The Spider Dance Tradition, Time & Healing in Southern Italy](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.%20Gnoseologies.Giovanna%20Parmigiani%20%281%29.png?itok=sjKKTpyk) [### Video: Pop Apocalypse: Episode Eight: Dreams, Creativity, and Precognition, a talk with Eric Wargo ](/news/2024/11/01/video-pop-apocalypse-episode-eight-dreams-creativity-and-precognition-talk-eric) November 01, 2024 Pop Apocalypse, hosted by Matthew J. Dillon, postdoctoral fellow at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, explores the mystical and the mythic, the paranormal and the psychedelic in popular culture. For episode 8, we... ![Title card for Pop Apocalypse Episode 8 with Eric Wargo](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.Pop%20Apocalypse%20Ep%208.png?itok=Qbpg2bG3) [### New Podcast Launches: Om-gnosis Explores the Mysteries of Occult South Asia ](/news/2024/10/new-podcast-launches-om-gnosis-explores-mysteries-occult-south-asia) October 22, 2024 The Center is excited to announce the launch of its groundbreaking new podcast, Om-gnosis, dedicated to the study of Occult South Asia. This innovative series aims to uncover the rich tapestry of hidden knowledge and practices rooted in South Asian... ![Screenshot of Om-gnosis podcast host Keith Cantu](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-10/Screenshot%202024-10-24%20142636.png?itok=mOqX-Cs7) [### Video: ReSpell: Religion, Spirituality, and Well-being ](/news/2024/10/16/video-respell-religion-spirituality-and-well-being) October 16, 2024 In this Gnoseologies event, Giovanna Parmigiani, CSWR Research Associate, spoke with Eugenia Roussou, PhD, sociocultural anthropologist, about her ethnographic research on contemporary religiosity and well-being in Southern Europe; the anthropological... ![Title card for ReSpell: Religion, Spirituality, and Well-being](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.%20Gnoseologies.Eugenia%20Rossou.png?itok=esI14IhS) [### Video: Book Talk: Psychedelics: A Visual Odyssey, with Erika Dyck, PhD, University of Saskatchewan ](/news/2024/10/video-book-talk-psychedelics-visual-odyssey-erika-dyck-phd-university-saskatchewan) October 02, 2024 Psychedelics are pushing into the mainstream—whether through FDA decisions, court cases on religious freedom, visual and material culture, or commodified retreat centers and mushroom-infused chocolate bars—prompting a deeper understanding of the role of... ![Artistic painting of flowers, people smoking a pipe, mushrooms](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-09/PFR%20Book%20Talk%20Erika%20Dyck%20%281%29_1.imageonly.jpg?itok=4PLDZTbh) [### Video: The Quest for the Plant Script, a Talk by Author Sumana Roy ](/news/2024/10/video-quest-plant-script-talk-author-sumana-roy) October 01, 2024 Why have our writers, artists, thinkers, and scholars been compelled to turn their attention towards the ‘plant script’ in the last one hundred years? Beginning from Jagadish Chandra Bose’s “torulipi”—the handwriting of plants or the plant script through... ![Lined notebook laying flat with images of flower stems](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-09/9.24.24%20Sumana%20Roy%20TWP%26F.cropfor%20website.final_.png?itok=IaO8_roT) [### Video: Researching Alternative Rationalities ](/news/2024/09/25/video-researching-alternative-rationalities) September 25, 2024 In this Gnoseologies event, Professor Giovanna Parmigiani speaks with Bernd Christian Otto (PD Dr. habil.) about alternative rationalities, esoteric practices, global comparison, practitioner-scholarship, and other ways of studying esotericism today. The... ![Title card for Gnoseologies Episode: Researching Alternative Rationalities, with Bernd-Christian Otto](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/YT%20Thumbnail.%20Gnoseologies.Bernd-Christian%20Otto%20%281%29.png?itok=kG6ZbdWt) - Previous page chevron\_left - [1](?page=0 "Current page") - [2](?page=1 "Go to page 2") - [3](?page=2 "Go to page 3") - [4](?page=3 "Go to page 4") - [ Next page chevron\_right ](?page=1 "Go to next page")