Mysticism

In an exploration of mystical texts from ancient India and China to medieval Europe and modern day America, Robert K. C. Forman, one of the leading voices in the study of mystical experiences, argues that the various levels of mysticism may not be shaped by culture, language, and background knowledge, but rather are a direct encounter with our very conscious core itself.

Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness focuses on first-hand accounts of two distinct types of mystical experiences. Through examination of texts, recorded interviews, and courageous autobiographical experiences, the author describes not only the well-known "pure consciousness event" but also a new, hitherto uncharted "dualistic mystical state." He provides a thorough and readable depiction of just what mysticism feels like. These accounts, and the experiences to which they give voice, arise from the heart of living practices and have substance and detail far beyond virtually any others in the literature.

The book also reexamines the philosophical issues that swirl around mysticism. In addition to examining modern day constructivist views, Forman argues that the doctrines of Kant, Husserl, and Brentano cannot be applied to mysticism. Instead he offers new philosophical insights, based on the work of Chinese philosopher of mind Paramartha. The book concludes with an examination of mind and consciousness, which shows that mysticism has a great deal to tell us about human experience and the nature of human knowledge far beyond mysticism itself.

Exploring the religious impulse known as mysticism - the "silent cry" at the heart of all the world's religions. Mysticism, in the sense of a "longing for God," has been present in all times, cultures, and religions. But Soelle believes it has never been more important than in this age of materialism and fundamentalism. The antiauthoritarian mystical element in each religion leads to community of free spirits and resistance to the death-dealing aspects of our contemporary culture. Religion in the third millennium, Soelle argues, either will be mystical or it will be dead. Therefore, Soelle identifies strongly with the hunger of New Age searchers, but laments the religious fast food they devour. Today, a kind of "democratized mysticism" of those without much religious background flourishes. This mystical experience is not drawn so much of the tradition as out of contemporary experiences. In that sense, each of us is a mystic, and Soelle's work seeks to give theological depth, clarity, and direction. This, her magnum opus, conjoins Soelle's deep religious knowledge and wisdom with her passion for social justice into a work destined to be a classic of religious literature.

Both Eastern and Western mystical traditions emphasize one profound process: the transformation of the individual into God-likeness. This is the means and the end of Christian salvation. Jaoudi's beautifully written book reflects on transformation, wholeness, and healing as presented by Christian mystics of both East and West. It also explores how these ideas parallel the global insights found in Hinduism, Taoism, Islam, and especially Buddhism. The mystics and traditions examined include Catherine of Sienna, Symeon the New Theologian, Bonaventure, Gregory of Nyssa, Meister Eckhart, and the Jesus Prayer. The author also looks at spirituality and iconic painting, music, and poetry. Taken together, this collected wisdom shows how to navigate one's thoughts, emotions, body, dreams, and aspirations while maintaining focus on spiritual development. This is a deeply moving book for all spiritual seekers.

SkyLight Lives reintroduces the lives and works of key spiritual figures of our time--people who by their teaching or example have challenged our assumptions about spirituality and have caused us to look at it in new ways.

Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) was one of the most highly acclaimed spiritual thinkers of her day. Her fresh approach to mysticism provided one of the first invitations to modern seekers to realize that not only saints or great holy men could experience the love of God--but that all people contain within them a capacity for the Divine.

This intimate biography, written by one of Underhill's closest friends, allows us to appreciate this revolutionary woman as both a charming, down-to-earth friend and a groundbreaking spiritual seeker and guide. Through letters, personal reminiscences, and excerpts from Underhill's much-loved published writings--including her definitive Mysticism, published in 1911 and continuously in print since then--Margaret Cropper captures the spirit, journey, and wisdom of one of the most influential women of the early twentieth century.

Updated with a new foreword by Dana Greene, dean of Oxford College of Emory University, this intriguing spiritual portrait includes a brief memoir of Lucy Menzies, one of Underhill's closest confidants, highlighting their remarkable relationship.

"My own notion is that we are meeting mystics every day, but we do not recognize them. . . . Real mystics practice their deep love and service to God in ways that may fly below the radar, unobtrusively, transforming the lives of others in ways that seem sublimely plain-spoken and level-headed. Except when they receive extraordinary mystical gifts (not everyone does) it is hard to pick them out in a crowd." — Emilie Griffin

What is mysticism? Why do mystics seem rare and strange? Who can be a mystic? Emilie Griffin deals with these and other questions in this fascinating, informal introduction to mysticism. She uses biblical and early Christian sources as well as modern examples to draw a picture of the mystical life as one of spiritual depth and mystery. Griffin focuses on Christian mysticism, but draws parallels in other great world religions. Ultimately, she suggests that mysticism is a spiritual path that is open to us all, offering the gift of an intimate knowledge of divine love.

In this new work, Albert LaChance presents a complete reframing of Christianity as an experiential rather than dogmatic approach to the presence of Christ. It emphasizes the idea of Christ as the source and sustainer of the cosmos, the Earth, the life community, and global culture. As such, it takes a “unitive” approach, with Christianity understood as being in mystical union with global culture, and with the ecological realities of the Earth. In the author’s view, Christianity thus joins hands with Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism in a unitive oneness with all that is.

Consisting of twenty-eight short chapters, The Modern Christian Mystic focuses on the presence of God permeating and organizing the beginning of existence, in the form of consciousness giving birth to energy, and then the material reality of the universe. The author argues that just as St. Augustine introduced the “pagan” Plato to Christianity, and a millennium later St. Thomas Aquinas revitalized his faith with the “pagan” philosophy of Aristotle, so in the modern age the “non-theism” of Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism holds the key to a revivified mystical practice. The Modern Christian Mystic posits a nurturing new world based on commonality rather than conflict in the world of spirit.

In this book, Julia Ching offers a survey of over 4,000 years of Chinese civilization through an examination of the relationship between kingship and mysticism. She investigates the sage-king myth and ideal, arguing that institutions of kingship were bound up with cultivation of trance states and communication with spirits. Over time, the sage-king myth became a model for the actual ruler. As a paradigm, it was also appropriated by private individuals who strove for wisdom without becoming kings. As the Confucian tradition interacted with the Taoist and the Buddhist, the religious character of spiritual and mystical cultivation became more pronounced. But the sage-king idea continued, promoting expectations of benevolent despotism rather than democratization in Chinese civilization.