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. Englerโs 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:
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How peopleโs stories reflect the beliefs of their respective traditions.
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The ways that belief makes a difference in experience.
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Experiences that have impacted Dr. Englerโs perspective.
You can find more about Dr. Englerย here! and on his blog.
๐ง Listen now on Apple Podcasts:ย http://apple.co/30PvU9C
๐๏ธย Recommended Books from this Episode
๐ย The Book of Magic: From Antiquity to the Enlightenmentย โ A fascinating exploration of the history, traditions, and cultural influence of magic from ancient civilizations through the Enlightenment era.
๐ย Get it here
๐ย Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)ย โ A foundational political philosophy text examining law, governance, and the principles that shaped modern democratic systems.
๐ย Check it out
๐ย When God Talks Back: Understanding the American Evangelical Relationship with God (Vintage)ย โ An insightful look into modern faith practices and how believers experience and interpret spiritual communication.
๐ย Discover it here
๐ย The Varieties of Religious Experience (with Biographical Introduction)ย โ A classic examination of spiritual experiences, belief systems, and the psychology of religion across cultures.
๐ย See it here
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