April 23, 2024

Russian Association for the Study of Esotericism and Mysticism (ASEM)

The ASEM is a scholarly association based in Russia. They actively organise conferences, some of which look really interesting. Their website has Russian and English versions. Here is their mission-statement:

“The Association for the Study of Esotericism and Mysticism (ASEM) is a scholarly non-profit organization that unites scholars of a humanitarian disposition who engage in the academic study of esotericism and mysticism.

ASEM aims to unite the efforts of interested scholars to systematically study these promising phenomena, and aids in the creation of original methodologies and a corresponding descriptive language, in describing different worldviews on which esoteric and mystical movements are based, in the analysis of their symbols, categories, and social structures, in codification of the stages of development of these phenomena in history, and so on.

ASEM’s priority aims are to determine the reason for a staunch prevalence of mystical and esoteric aspects in human culture in different states of its history and to determine the extent of their influence on contemporary culture. ASEM aspires to make connections with corresponding scholarly organizations in other regions of the world, scholarly projects, and joint publications.”