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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Aspects of religions (non-Christian) > Religious experience > Mysticism
From the earliest centuries there has existed a Christian theology
of mysticism, defining the state which Bernard Lonergan called a
"being in love with God." St. John of the Cross wrote such a
theology for the sixteenth century, calling it "the science of
love." Now, William Johnston, one of the great spiritual writers of
our time, attempts to do the same for the twenty-first century.
In Part One of Mystical Theology Johnston surveys Christian
mysticism through the centuries. Johnson shows that such a theology
today must dialogue with modern science and with Eastern religions.
Part Two provides this dialogue, where Johnston engages Einstein's
theories as well as Zen Buddhism. In Part Three, it becomes clear
how the "science of love" is no longer an esoteric discipline for
monks and nuns. In Johnston's writing it becomes accessible to all
modern people grappling with problems of sexuality, social justice,
world peace, and the protection of the environment.
Mystical Theology is indispensable to all those seeking guidance
as well as intellectual and historical foundations of the Christian
mystical experience today.
This book is a compilation of nine short books written between 2007
and 2021, in the ninth and tenth decades of the author's life. It
contains his spiritual philosophy expressed in simple language
accessible to all. The book tells of what the author has come to
believe after a lifetime of seeking for the meaning of life, and
how one should live that life at its optimum level. He explains
that this cannot be proved: it is ultimately not susceptible to the
usual scientific methods, for it lies in a different realm of
reality which has to be experienced inwardly. However, its main
tenets lie behind world religions and go back to mankind`s earliest
thinkings and feelings. Believe it or not as you will, suggests the
author. All he can say is that it has sustained him throughout his
life and has made that life harmonious and joyous. The teachings of
which he speaks are often referred to as the Ancient Wisdom. He
first came across them at the age of twenty-five when he met a man
who was well versed in that ancient wisdom which is to be found
woven throughout major religions, philosophies and mystical
teachings. This man was Eugene Halliday, who, the author says, was
said to be one of the great spirits of the modern age. The phrase
he used to describe the ultimate result of these teachings was
'Reflexive Self-Consciousness'. This, the author explains, was the
same message taught by those of old, although expressed by his
mentor Halliday in more modern terms. A wise but modest man, the
author says that he is no academic or scholar or learned man -
adding, with gentle humour, that it is written that an academic is
an ass with a load of books on his back. He writes for the average
person - of any age - who has no time left to think on these things
but who may like to know more. He writes for this person - for he
is such a one himself, he says. It is this which makes his story
and his accumulated wisdom both inspiring and accessible.
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