This is not just another book, so much as a new way of seeing the
world and our way of being in it. Groundbreaking, and profoundly
optimistic, this is the only book to investigate how mysticism can
inspire cultural and political renewal. At heart, _The Mystical
State_ looks toward the future, toward what is possible on the
other side of the difficult times that confront us, and how we can
envision and encourage cultural emergence. In _The Mystical State_,
Arthur Versluis delves into the origins of modernity and what led
to the crises of our time. But he also looks to the future, and in
particular, to how spirituality can inform cultural and political
life in new and illuminating ways.
"Arthur Versluis s _The Mystical State: Politics, Gnosis and
Emergent Cultures_, asks a question long overdue in the study of
mysticism: what are the political implications of direct mystical
experience and thinking? His analysis ranges freely over both
ancient and modern thought and experience. His focus on Western
thought, ancient and modern, is a welcome respite from the tendency
to focus on Eastern meditation and philosophy among scholars of
mysticism. His exploration of the marginalized is especially
important. And by focusing on the road not taken when Gnosticism
was repudiated long ago, he dares to imagine what a new culture and
state that s centered on the mystical might look like: the end of
gigantism, the re-framing of life and value, and a form of
political authority centered in value. It is a courageous and
thought provoking book, and should open the door to a series of
questions important in our struggling world."
Robert K. C. Forman, author of _Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness_
and numerous other books on mysticism.
It's simply amazing Each page is a feast to both my mind and
soul Miguel Conner, editor of _Voices of Gnosticism_
A wonderful book . . . fascinating I highly recommend that
people buy it and read it as soon as possible. I can t say enough
about it. William Kennedy, Sphinx Radio
Praise for Other Works by Arthur Versluis:
"At a time when the religions of the world are meeting on a
spiritual level and in a global context, it is crucial that the
Christian West rediscover its often forgotten inner or esoteric
wisdom. Arthur Versluis skillfully guides the reader to recover the
wide range of this rich heritage." Ewart Cousins, general editor,
_World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious
Quest_
"A collection of very precious clues to the sources of the
Western spiritual tradition, pointing to the hidden currents both
in history and in our own selves." Jacob Needleman, author of _The
American Soul_ and _The Heart of Philosophy_
General
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