São João da Cruz à luz da psicanálise lacaniana : a experiência mística para além do êxtase

Abstract

Mysticism has appeared many times within Lacanian psychoanalysis as a helpful resource in the transmission of the psychoanalytic knowledge. Saint John of the Cross emerges in such context as an example of a mystic esteemed by Lacan, who considered him to be a gifted person. However, mysticism, which has its own roots within the religious sphere, as well as this particular mystic, were used by Lacan in the absence of a clear definition by the author. Thus, the objective of this dissertation is to trace the usage of the notion of mysticism and of the example of Saint John of the Cross in Lacan’s work, highlighting their contributions to the transmission of psychoanalysis. In order to do so, the work of Saint John of the Cross, as well as a number of biographies written on him were examined, in an attempt to comprehend some of the most relevant facets of his life, and in the hopes of attaining a better application of such example to the teachings of Lacan. In addition, the extensive use of the notion of mysticism and of the example of Saint John of the Cross within Lacan’s teachings was unveiled, highlighting their main applications. Furthermore, references, as well as probable influences to the Lacanian uses of the notions of mysticism, of saint, and of Saint John of the Cross were also articulated in order to better define the concept of mystical experience for Lacan. Finally, it was possible to conclude that the poetic and the mystical facets of Saint John of the Cross were useful in important teachings of the psychoanalyst. While poetry makes it possible to validate the authenticity of the experience, introducing readers to a new dimension of the mystical experience, mysticism, by its turn, contributes to the establishment of notions such as desire, not-all jouissance, love, and the female side of the diagram of sexual difference, in their respective aspects concerning the Lacanian real. The elements collected over the course of the work – intellectual vision, ineffability and self-abnegation – have been fundamental for a more accurate apprehension of a mystical experience valued in its entirety. In this regard, through the definition of sanctity, it is possible to perceive a radicalness of mysticism, and collaterally, a specific position for the analyst. Hence, the poetry of Saint John of the Cross could be considered the utmost way to explore his mystical experience, and to consider aspects that go beyond the phallus.