Mysticism in Science Fiction
Tarot readers, seers/prophets, water witches – is there a place for mystics in science fiction beyond either “psionic power” or “delusional kook?” Are there examples of rigorous scientific exploration of mysticism in sci-fi? How might mysticism and speculation be interlinked, and what books take that interconnection seriously?
Mark Teppo (M), Leigh Harlen, Shweta Adhyam, Tom Whitmore
What is mysticism?
The panel started off trying to define mysticism. “Connection to god” was a big part of it. Or, connection to whatever is beyond comprehension. The ineffable.
Science fiction, it was claimed, is about control, where mysticism is more involved with command, or becoming a vessel, for the ineffable, but not controlling it.
Religion is distinct from mysticism. Deep Space 9 was brought up as an excellent example, that had both religion and mysticism in it, and the interplay between them was mined deeply as a source of conflict.
Dune is also a good example. Paul steps away from it all after realizing that a living messiah is contrary to religion’s aim of control, while.
“All our stories are about humans, and we love to believe we are rational.”
– Shweta Adhyam
How is it used?
Psionics? Is it even mysticism?
What about rules? Everything — mysticism included — should have rules that the author knows, even if the reader doesn’t.
Rules can also be solidified in a second draft. Don’t worry about them in the first. Stuff does what it needs to do. (I personally disagree with this. In a magic system, for example, you really need to have a good idea what it is or isn’t capable of from near the beginning. If you take the approach that “magic can do anything” you’re liable to have changing rules throughout, which will frustrate the reader, look like a deus ex machina at the end, and destroy any stakes in the plot. “If it can do X, why didn’t it do that earlier when it would have been useful?” These are the types of problems that can be a lot harder to unravel in later drafts.)
Speaking of religion, one audience member asked about an anti-theism bent in science fiction. Most of the panelists agreed, as do I. I don’t necessarily see this as a bad thing, though.
Who does it well?
Some recommendations of mysticism in science fiction done well.
- Anything by Cordwainer Smith
- Dark City
- Victoria Strauss Burning Land does religion and fantasy well
- The Celestial Trilogy by Sangu Mandanna includes gods. The first one is A Spark of White Fire
- The Fisher of Bones by Sarah Gailey
- Martha Wells’ Murderbot series
- Kirinyaga by Mike Reznick