Abstract

PUGLISI, Rodolfo. The performance of the Om in Argentinian Sai Baba groups: a case of fusion body-world. Soc. relig. [online]. 2011, vol.21, n.36, pp.9-36. ISSN 1853-7081.

After to show the generals characteristics of Organization Sri Sathya Sai Baba (O.S.S.S.B), this paper examines the simbolic representations of Sai Baba's Argentinian followers relative to the mantra "Om" and describes its implementation by means  of its performance, how meanings are incarnated and experimented. In this point, we will resort to the experience of "Ananda" or "fusion with the whole" to wich the individuals refer when describing their experiences in said performance. Lastly, we will posit that this feeling of "communion with the whole" can be interpreted applying the concepts of "being-in-the-world" and "flesh" by Merleau-Ponty. Both account for the ante-predicative and indisoluble relationship between body and world. The data on which we rely to make the analysis come from our fieldwork (participant observation and interviews) approached from a qualitative methodology.

Keywords : Sai Baba; Om; Performance; Ananda; Being-in-the-world.

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