The Container Schema and its Usage in the Expression of Mystical Experiences

One of the important theories of semantics is Cognitive Semantics. Among conceptual structures and processes approached by cognitive semanticists are image schemas. Image schemas are deep structures of cognitive metaphors that make relations between our physical experiences and cognitive fields possible. Based on the container schema, physical experience of being in a container is the base of man's experience of abstract concepts which are understood through this schema. The mystical experiences and concepts that represent being as an abstract thing in the abstract container can be analyzed through container schema and metaphors which are based on this schema. In this research, the concepts and symbols of the Noor (light) verse, the Monotheism Word, the Heart's Approaches, the sea, Eighth Climate and its emerald cities are studied in terms of this schema. Based on the theory of Cognitive Semantics, the man can understand the abstract concepts and esoteric experiences of mysticism in terms of this schema.