Exploring Mysticism: A Methodological Essay

In stock

Free & Quick Delivery Worldwide

Until less than a century ago, the two prevailing views of dreams as well as of souls were that they are inconsequential (the scientific view) or of divine origin (the religious view). In either case it was assumed that they cannot be objects of rational inquiry. Similar views still prevail regarding mystical experiences and mysticism in general. Modern opinion, whether friendly or hostile, holds that the mystical falls squarely within the domain of the irrational.

In the study of mysticism, a common drawback is lack of experience. However, prejudices prove to be the most persistent obstacles, especially to professional students of religion, but also to those who approach it from other angles. The author has tried to present a case for a rational point of departure, and has indicated in which directions one might go from there. This has taken him into mystic domains which are widely regarded as beyond the pale of critical investigation.

Until less than a century ago, the two prevailing views of dreams as well as of souls were that they are inconsequential (the scientific view) or of divine origin (the religious view). In either case it was assumed that they cannot be objects of rational inquiry. Similar views still prevail regarding mystical experiences and mysticism in general. Modern opinion, whether friendly or hostile, holds that the mystical falls squarely within the domain of the irrational.

The illustrations in Exploring Mysticism are drawn mainly from Indian forms of mysticism such as Yoga, supplemented with Buddhist, Taoist, Muslim and Christian examples.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Frits Staal

Frits Stall has written about language, philosophy and ritual but his scientific pursuits encompass diverse areas and disciplines.  Born in Amsterdam in 1930, he studied several languages, including Greek and Arabic, but concentrated on physics and mathematical logic before a Government of India scholarship took him to India, Indian philosophy and Sanskrit.  He traveled on both sides of the Himalayas, taught and did research for extended periods in Europe and Asia, but spent most of his life in the Departments of Philosophy and of South and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is now Professor Emeritus.  His most well-known books are The Vedic Ritual of the Fire Altar, Universals: Studies in Indian Logic and Linguistics and Rules without Meaning.  After retirement he moved to Thailand, having long predicted that civilization would return to Asia under the intellectual guidance of India and China.

reviews

0 in total

There are no reviews yet.

Bibliographic information

Title
Exploring Mysticism: A Methodological Essay
Author
Edition
Reprint.
Publisher
ISBN
8120835565, 9788120835566
Length
xxv+230p., 16 Pages of Plates; Illustrations; 23cm.
Subjects