Mirjam Smit, student Spirituality and Religion
Why did you choose Spirituality and Religion?
‘When I was younger, I wanted to be a witch. I even had a broom and a book of spells. However, I started with the primary education teacher-training programme first at a university of applied sciences. I began doing Theology and Religious Studies, because I wanted to do a study at a research university after that. This study ties in well with what I wanted to become when I was younger. Topics discussed include magic, alchemy, and other unknown and sometimes secret historical movements into which little academic research has been conducted. Wouter Hanegraaff, one of my professors, therefore refers to Western esotericism as a study about rejected knowledge.’
What’s the atmosphere like in your study?
‘There is a very pleasant, open atmosphere. Both my fellow students and the lecturers are very inspiring. Most students come from abroad and all have a different background, as a result of which we can learn a lot from each other. The professors are fantastic, passionate and extremely committed. They are critical, but helpful. I can only say that my fellow students and I are extremely lucky to have this pleasant atmosphere!’
One of my professors refers to Western esotericism as a study about rejected knowledge.Mirjam Smit, student Spirituality and Religion
How does Spirituality and Religion tie in with modern-day society?
‘Spirituality and Religion ties in well with these times, because spiritual phenomena are placed in a historical and social context. One example is the phenomenon of "conspirituality" (conspiracy thinking and spirituality): how can we explain that from a historical perspective? Research is also conducted within my study into how esoteric movements have provided fascist, social and feminist impulses to European and North American culture. For example, the New Age spiritual movement has influences important artists like Kandinksy, Mondriaan and Hilma af Klint. Furthermore, we devote attention to spiritual phenomena that are neglected in, or even missing from, modern-day history books. So, there is still a lot to explore!’
What would you like to do with your study?
‘I really love telling stories. I would preferably like to start a travel agency with my friend, so that we can offer people cultural trips related to esoteric traditions in Europe. In this way, we can not only show travellers the standard hotspots, but also the esoteric ones. We can offer tours of occult locations and in this way provide knowledge about these topics to people. We’ll see how this dream pans out in the future.’