In this engaging conversation with Dr. Steven Engler, we explore esoteric traditions, mystical experiences, and how spiritual meaning shows up across cultures and belief systems. Dr. Engler is a Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Humanities at Mount Royal University, whose work bridges scholarship, lived experience, and cross-cultural inquiry.

His research spans fieldwork with Afro-Brazilian and esoteric spirit-incorporation traditions in Brazil, as well as methodological and theoretical approaches to understanding religion, spirituality, and meaning-making. Dr. Engler's work also examines how concepts like tradition, lived religion, and esotericism shape both personal experience and broader cultural narratives.

Beyond his research and teaching, Dr. Engler is a co-editor of leading journals and book series in religious studies and has closely analyzed the academic landscape of religion and spirituality in Latin America.

Click play to uncover:

How people's stories reflect the beliefs of their respective traditions.
The ways that belief makes a difference in experience.
Experiences that have impacted Dr. Engler's perspective.

You can find more about Dr. Engler here! and on his blog.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

🛍️ Recommended Books from this Episode

📖 The Book of Magic: From Antiquity to the Enlightenment – A fascinating exploration of the history, traditions, and cultural influence of magic from ancient civilizations through the Enlightenment era. 👉 Get it here

📘 Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought) – A foundational political philosophy text examining law, governance, and the principles that shaped modern democratic systems. 👉 Check it out

📕 When God Talks Back: Understanding the American Evangelical Relationship with God (Vintage) – An insightful look into modern faith practices and how believers experience and interpret spiritual communication. 👉 Discover it here

📗 The Varieties of Religious Experience (with Biographical Introduction) – A classic examination of spiritual experiences, belief systems, and the psychology of religion across cultures. 👉 See it here

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Mysticism, Meaning, & Belief Across Cultures A Conversation With Dr. Steven Engler