The Nesting Method - An Interdisciplinary Model for the Ego-Dissolution Experience

Building upon a previously proposed model of comparative mysticism (Trivedi, 2024), this work proposes a newer method called nesting or the nesting method (NM). In recent work, I proposed a model of comparative mysticism that based its rationale for comparison in the dynamic interaction between three components: neurocognitive mechanisms and substrates, phenomenal experiences, and noetic accounts. While examining the phenomenon of ego-dissolution (EDn), I identified universal and contextual components of the ego-dissolution experiences of the contemporary Indian mystic Sadhguru (1957–Present) and the medieval Spanish mystic Teresa of Ávila (1515–1583), respectively. In nesting, I aim to present several accounts of Indian, Hindu mystics (Advaita Vedānta, Kāśmīrī Śaivism, etc.) experiencing what is deemed as non-dual, ego-dissolution at multiple levels (neuroscience, phenomenology, theology, sociology, etc.), that encourage interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary theories and methodologies. The former levels are "nested" within the latter levels, proposing a step-by-step dynamic interaction that presents the EDn experience as ultimately, holistic.