Document Type : Scientific-Research
Authors
1
PhD Candidate of Islamic Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz University of Islamic Arts, Tabriz, Iran
2
Professor of architecture, Faculty Member of Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz University of Islamic Art, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Abstract
The sense of spirituality is the owner of a meaningful communication experience with oneself, others, the world and the higher power and architecture, like a bridge from the spiritual realm, communicates with the mental space of a person and brings him to know. The research with the aim of controlling the sense of spirituality in the body of architecture, followed the process of recognizing this sense of the audience in a space with a non-religious use, and the historical market of Tabriz with various types of functions was investigated in order to answer the question that "the sense of spirituality in the transition from stages How is the feeling to the recognition by the audience?". In this regard, the research was carried out in a qualitative format, a combination of basic and exploratory research in two stages of theoretical and practical research. The theoretical exploration was done in a descriptive- analytical way, collecting library information, and then the practical exploration was done in an exploratory way, with a phenomenological method through a semi-structured interview at four levels ( emotion, perception, reasoning and intuition) with snowball sampling until reaching theoretical saturation (10 people). The descriptive qualitative analysis of the data was done by Van Manen 's method through coding in three stages, open, central and selective. As a result, people's experience was determined by 5 internal profiles, including intersubjectivity (in relation to others), holiness (in relation to God), diversity, historicism and sense of place (in relation to the world and others).
Keywords: sense of spirituality, experience of space, levels of knowledge, historic market of Tabriz, Phenomenological
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Many scholars have argued that the primary means to overcome undesirable emotional states lies in strengthening the sense of spirituality, which fosters inner peace and understanding of life’s purpose. Given that the sense of spirituality constitutes a meaningful experience of connection with oneself, others, the world, and God, this study aims to examine how this sense is cognitively processed in users of non-religious spaces. The historical bazaar of Tabriz, characterized by diverse functions, was selected to address the research question: “How is the sense of spirituality perceived and processed by users, from initial feelings to higher cognition?”
Method
The research was conducted in a qualitative framework, combining basic (fundamental) and exploratory investigation in two stages: theoretical exploration and practical exploration. The theoretical exploration, carried out in a descriptive-analytical manner, involved the collection of library-based information. Subsequently, the practical exploration was performed exploratory using a phenomenological approach through semi-structured interviews at four levels (feeling, perception, reasoning, and intuition) with snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved (10 participants). The qualitative interpretive analysis of the data was conducted following Van Manen’s method through coding in three stages: open, axial, and selective.
Results
The spiritual experience of visitors to the historical bazaar of Tabriz emerges through five primary themes: intersubjectivity, sanctity, diversity, historicity, and sense of place. While prior narratives are transformed into mental schemata, sensory perceptions are predominantly visual and movement-based. Imaginal knowledge, conveying abstract meanings, acts as a mediator between sensory input and rational understanding. Consequently, a shared sensory perception can generate multiple imaginal interpretations, each leading to distinct rational insights grounded in secondary concepts. Although most spiritual experiences are grounded in interactions with the world and others, the attainment of intuitive knowledge remains dependent on sacred elements within introspective spaces.
Discussion and Conclusion
The findings indicate that the sense of spirituality extends beyond traditional religious settings. In the context of the Tabriz Bazaar, intersubjectivity and a sense of place—facilitated through interactions with others and the environment—generate cognitive experiences that go beyond mere sensory perception, supporting prior research on social experiences in non-religious environments. Spatial spirituality can therefore develop independently of religious symbols. Within the theme of sanctity, the perception of a higher power occurs through spiritual intuition, while formal intuition provides a sense of presence and social trust, which differs from Javadi-Amoli (2006) and aligns with Nosrati Naroui (2022). Imaginal schemata serve as mediators between rational and intuitive knowledge, and spiritual experiences tend to endure over time, primarily rooted in secondary concepts. Limitations of this study include its focus on a single site
and its reliance on subjective experiences. Future research should investigate spirituality in other non-religious contexts such as educational, therapeutic, or artistic settings; incorporate mixed-method approaches combining qualitative and quantitative data, including neurophysiological measures; examine the influence of cultural and belief systems; and test the applicability of the conceptual model across diverse environments.
Keywords
Subjects
