Difference between revisions of "Mysticism"

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Mysticism is a common, popular termed used to refer both to the experience of "mystical" [[Connection]], and to a general area of human inquiry and activity concerned with understanding the nature of and, sometimes, inducing the [[Connection Experience]].
Mysticism is a confused popular and scientific term used to refer variously to [[Connection]], [[Connection Experience]], [[Connection Practice]], [[Connection Outcomes]], and so on. On the [[LP]] we understand mysticism to be another word for [[Authentic Spirituality]].
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==Notes==
==Notes==


Troelsch's conception of mysticism refers directly, explicitly, and obviously, to mysticism and [[Connection]]. "What Troeltsch has in mind is an orientation of spiritual life in the history of Christianity which aims primarily at a "personal living piety and at an Interior life' which has a direct experience of salvation." <ref>Steeman, Theodore M. “Church, Sect, Mysticism, Denomination: Periodological Aspects of Troeltsch’s Types.” SA.  Sociological Analysis 36, no. 3 (1975): 181–204.</ref>. Salvation here may be understood as the experience of unity and oneness that one often experiences during a [[Connection Experience]].
Eveylyn Underhill: "Mysticism is the art of union with Reality. The mystic is a person who has attained that union in greater or less degree; or who aims at and believes in such attainment (Underhill 2002: emphasis added)."<ref>Underhill, Evelyn. Mysticism: A Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness. New York: Dover Publications, 2002. https://amzn.to/2C91xNY.</ref>
 
Troelsch's conception of mysticism refers directly, explicitly, and obviously, to [[Connection]]. "What Troeltsch has in mind is an orientation of spiritual life in the history of Christianity which aims primarily at a "personal living piety and at an Interior life' which has a direct experience of salvation." <ref>Steeman, Theodore M. “Church, Sect, Mysticism, Denomination: Periodological Aspects of Troeltsch’s Types.” SA.  Sociological Analysis 36, no. 3 (1975): 181–204.</ref>. Salvation here may be understood as the experience of unity and oneness that one often experiences during a [[Connection Experience]].
 
Zaehner defines mysticism by the [[Connection Outcome]] of [[Ascension]]. Mysticism is "the realization of a union or a unity with or in [or of] something that is enormously, if not infinitely, greater than the empirical self"<ref>Zaehner, R.C. Hindu and Muslim Mysticism. New York: Shocken Books, 1969. p. 5 https://amzn.to/2IK1A7R.</ref>
   
   
Carl Keller notes, "In the context of Christian Theology, the words 'mystical', 'mystic' have a precise meaning: they designate the highest state of Christian ''gnosis'' or religious knowledge, conceptualized as 'union' with God and the perfection of man. [sic]." <ref>Keller, Carl A. “Mystical Literature.” In Mysticism and Philosophical Analysis, edited by Steven T. Katz, 75–100. London: Sheldon Press, 1978. p. 75.</ref>
Carl Keller also defines mysticism by a single, albeit important, [[Connection Outcome]]. He notes, "In the context of Christian Theology, the words 'mystical', 'mystic' have a precise meaning: they designate the highest state of Christian ''gnosis'' or religious knowledge, conceptualized as 'union' with God and the perfection of man. [sic]." <ref>Keller, Carl A. “Mystical Literature.” In Mysticism and Philosophical Analysis, edited by Steven T. Katz, 75–100. London: Sheldon Press, 1978. p. 75.</ref>


Gender is important to an understanding of mysticism. Bruneau notes, "using gender as a category of inquiry leads to the realization, for example, that female mysticism has always been characterized by the participation and somatization of the body."  <ref>Bruneau, Marie-Florine. Women Mystics Confront the Modern World. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1998p. 5. https://amzn.to/2L1L0m2.</ref>. Bruneau also points to the relevance of social class, though he doesn't delve.
Gender is important to an understanding of mysticism. Bruneau notes, "using gender as a category of inquiry leads to the realization, for example, that female mysticism has always been characterized by the participation and somatization of the body."  <ref>Bruneau, Marie-Florine. Women Mystics Confront the Modern World. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1998p. 5. https://amzn.to/2L1L0m2.</ref>. Bruneau also points to the relevance of social class, though he doesn't delve.


Zaehner defines mysticism as "the realization of a union or a unity with or in [or of] something that is enormously, if not infinitely, greater than the empirical self."<ref>Zaehner, R.C. Hindu and Muslim Mysticism. New York: Shocken Books, 1969. p. 5.https://amzn.to/2IK1A7R.</ref>
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[[category:terms]][[Is an::Connection  Event| ]][[Is a syncretic term::Connection| ]]
[[category:terms]][[Is a::Connection  Event| ]][[Is a syncretic term::Connection| ]][[Is a syncretic term::Authentic Spirituality| ]]

Revision as of 15:05, 26 April 2019


Mysticism is a confused popular and scientific term used to refer variously to Connection, Connection Experience, Connection Practice, Connection Outcomes, and so on. On the LP we understand mysticism to be another word for Authentic Spirituality.

Notes

Eveylyn Underhill: "Mysticism is the art of union with Reality. The mystic is a person who has attained that union in greater or less degree; or who aims at and believes in such attainment (Underhill 2002: emphasis added)."[1]

Troelsch's conception of mysticism refers directly, explicitly, and obviously, to Connection. "What Troeltsch has in mind is an orientation of spiritual life in the history of Christianity which aims primarily at a "personal living piety and at an Interior life' which has a direct experience of salvation." [2]. Salvation here may be understood as the experience of unity and oneness that one often experiences during a Connection Experience.

Zaehner defines mysticism by the Connection Outcome of Ascension. Mysticism is "the realization of a union or a unity with or in [or of] something that is enormously, if not infinitely, greater than the empirical self"[3]

Carl Keller also defines mysticism by a single, albeit important, Connection Outcome. He notes, "In the context of Christian Theology, the words 'mystical', 'mystic' have a precise meaning: they designate the highest state of Christian gnosis or religious knowledge, conceptualized as 'union' with God and the perfection of man. [sic]." [4]

Gender is important to an understanding of mysticism. Bruneau notes, "using gender as a category of inquiry leads to the realization, for example, that female mysticism has always been characterized by the participation and somatization of the body." [5]. Bruneau also points to the relevance of social class, though he doesn't delve.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Underhill, Evelyn. Mysticism: A Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness. New York: Dover Publications, 2002. https://amzn.to/2C91xNY.
  2. ↑ Steeman, Theodore M. “Church, Sect, Mysticism, Denomination: Periodological Aspects of Troeltsch’s Types.” SA. Sociological Analysis 36, no. 3 (1975): 181–204.
  3. ↑ Zaehner, R.C. Hindu and Muslim Mysticism. New York: Shocken Books, 1969. p. 5 https://amzn.to/2IK1A7R.
  4. ↑ Keller, Carl A. “Mystical Literature.” In Mysticism and Philosophical Analysis, edited by Steven T. Katz, 75–100. London: Sheldon Press, 1978. p. 75.
  5. ↑ Bruneau, Marie-Florine. Women Mystics Confront the Modern World. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1998p. 5. https://amzn.to/2L1L0m2.
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