- published: 14 Jun 2013
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- author: TheDocVidz
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![Immortal - Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism 1992 [Full Album]](http://web.archive.org./web/20131022034844im_/http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QCKEznpQhbA/default.jpg "The debut masterpiece by Immortal, Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism. Released in 1992, this album brought forth a new sound for the group, who had released a th...")
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America's Ancient Origins and Secret Mysticism (Full Documentary)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 165:56
- Updated: 17 Aug 2013
America's Ancient Origins and Secret Mysticism (Full Documentary) ... ... ... 2013 This documentary and the rest of the documentaries are about important tim...
http://wn.com/America's_Ancient_Origins_and_Secret_Mysticism_Full_Documentary
America's Ancient Origins and Secret Mysticism (Full Documentary) ... ... ... 2013 This documentary and the rest of the documentaries are about important tim...
ONENESS (pt.1/10) Where Science Meets Ancient Mysticism
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:47
- Updated: 18 Aug 2013
A free and non profit series aimed to inspire contemplation and awareness on subjects such as spirituality, quantum physics, healing, philosophy, and the req...
http://wn.com/ONENESS_pt1_10_Where_Science_Meets_Ancient_Mysticism
A free and non profit series aimed to inspire contemplation and awareness on subjects such as spirituality, quantum physics, healing, philosophy, and the req...
- published: 21 Jul 2013
- views: 482
- author: FenandiCreations
Interview with a Christian Mystic - I AM 0076
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 45:13
- Updated: 14 Aug 2013
Father Peter Bowes explains Christian Mysticism in this interview with enlightened podcaster Sean Webb.
http://wn.com/Interview_with_a_Christian_Mystic_I_AM_0076
Father Peter Bowes explains Christian Mysticism in this interview with enlightened podcaster Sean Webb.
- published: 07 Dec 2012
- views: 2685
- author: IAMSpirituality
What Is Mysticism - Ralph M. Lewis
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 7:57
- Updated: 09 Aug 2013
In this video clip, the subject of "Mysticism" is discussed by the former Imperator for The Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, the late Ralph M. Lewis. In fact, mysti...
http://wn.com/What_Is_Mysticism_Ralph_M_Lewis
In this video clip, the subject of "Mysticism" is discussed by the former Imperator for The Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, the late Ralph M. Lewis. In fact, mysti...
- published: 22 May 2010
- views: 8682
- author: Christopher Codrington
Mysticism and Science-CG Jung
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:27
- Updated: 16 Jul 2013
The rift between mysticism and the modern sciences derives mainly from elements of scientism in the latter: certain branches of the natural sciences, broadly...
http://wn.com/Mysticism_and_Science-CG_Jung
The rift between mysticism and the modern sciences derives mainly from elements of scientism in the latter: certain branches of the natural sciences, broadly...
- published: 18 May 2009
- views: 20423
- author: alchemistra
What is Mysticism?
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:54
- Updated: 17 Aug 2013
http://www.innerengineering.com/sadhgurulive Experience the transformation For more information about IshaUSA http://www.IshaUSA.org A participant asks in an...
http://wn.com/What_is_Mysticism?
http://www.innerengineering.com/sadhgurulive Experience the transformation For more information about IshaUSA http://www.IshaUSA.org A participant asks in an...
- published: 30 Aug 2012
- views: 3765
- author: Isha USA
Alan Watts - Transcended ego experience (Mysticism and Morals)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 51:30
- Updated: 11 Aug 2013
"What I think an awakening really involves is a re-examination of our common sense. We've got all sorts of ideas built into us which seem unquestioned, obvio...
http://wn.com/Alan_Watts_Transcended_ego_experience_Mysticism_and_Morals
"What I think an awakening really involves is a re-examination of our common sense. We've got all sorts of ideas built into us which seem unquestioned, obvio...
- published: 25 Mar 2013
- views: 2361
- author: Gábor Hényel
Mysticism Explained-What is a Mystic?
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:55
- Updated: 23 Jul 2013
This is a reading from Evelyn Underhill's classic work, Mysticism: A Study in Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness. This portion of the audio bo...
http://wn.com/Mysticism_Explained-What_is_a_Mystic?
This is a reading from Evelyn Underhill's classic work, Mysticism: A Study in Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness. This portion of the audio bo...
- published: 21 Jan 2009
- views: 6403
- author: alchemistra
Islamic Mysticism (Spirituality) - The Sufi Way By Huston Smith 1/3
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:31
- Updated: 20 Jul 2013
Sufism or taṣawwuf (Arabic: تصوّف) is, according to its adherents, the inner, spiritual & mystical dimension of Islam.A practitioner of this tradition is ge...
http://wn.com/Islamic_Mysticism_Spirituality_The_Sufi_Way_By_Huston_Smith_1_3
Sufism or taṣawwuf (Arabic: تصوّف) is, according to its adherents, the inner, spiritual & mystical dimension of Islam.A practitioner of this tradition is ge...
- published: 18 Oct 2010
- views: 8885
- author: hammadalqadri
Islamic Mysticism (Spirituality) - The Sufi Way By Huston Smith
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 24:51
- Updated: 13 Aug 2013
I do not own this video or the content , this video belongs to hammadalqadri this channel, it is taken from this channel for educational purposes only. Islam...
http://wn.com/Islamic_Mysticism_Spirituality_The_Sufi_Way_By_Huston_Smith
I do not own this video or the content , this video belongs to hammadalqadri this channel, it is taken from this channel for educational purposes only. Islam...
- published: 13 Oct 2011
- views: 4944
- author: TheSpiritualfreedom
3D Dialogue: Western Mysticism
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:36
- Updated: 01 Jun 2013
Jesse Hirsh host of 3D Dialogue interviews Professor Robert Carter regarding the relationship between Western Mysticism and Eastern Spirituality.
http://wn.com/3D_Dialogue_Western_Mysticism
Jesse Hirsh host of 3D Dialogue interviews Professor Robert Carter regarding the relationship between Western Mysticism and Eastern Spirituality.
- published: 25 Sep 2007
- views: 9601
- author: Jesse Hirsh
Immortal - Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism 1992 [Full Album]
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 35:01
- Updated: 15 Aug 2013
The debut masterpiece by Immortal, Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism. Released in 1992, this album brought forth a new sound for the group, who had released a th...
http://wn.com/Immortal_Diabolical_Fullmoon_Mysticism_1992_Full_Album_
The debut masterpiece by Immortal, Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism. Released in 1992, this album brought forth a new sound for the group, who had released a th...
- published: 04 Jan 2012
- views: 75211
- author: Possesssed666
What is Mysticism?
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:04
- Updated: 05 Jul 2013
Interview of Professor Bernard McGinn on Christian Mysticism.
http://wn.com/What_is_Mysticism?
Interview of Professor Bernard McGinn on Christian Mysticism.
- published: 21 May 2013
- views: 136
- author: Eric Gilmour
Alan Watts - Mysticism & Morals
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 51:19
- Updated: 20 Mar 2013
http://www.alanwatts.com/
http://wn.com/Alan_Watts_Mysticism_Morals
Spiritual Stages of Christian Mysticism, Union with God, Enlightenment
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 20:32
- Updated: 16 Aug 2013
For questions or correspondence: snbeings at gmail dot com (no spaces) From originally choosing Christ and becoming a Christian, to the final Union with God ...
http://wn.com/Spiritual_Stages_of_Christian_Mysticism,_Union_with_God,_Enlightenment
For questions or correspondence: snbeings at gmail dot com (no spaces) From originally choosing Christ and becoming a Christian, to the final Union with God ...
- published: 27 Mar 2013
- views: 1821
- author: D F
Experiencing God through Deceitful Mysticism
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 58:16
- Updated: 18 Aug 2013
Rick Warren hosts 'cult' celebrity docs Features promoters of Eastern mysticism, universalism http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId;=251133 "Kundal...
http://wn.com/Experiencing_God_through_Deceitful_Mysticism
Rick Warren hosts 'cult' celebrity docs Features promoters of Eastern mysticism, universalism http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId;=251133 "Kundal...
- published: 28 May 2010
- views: 22035
- author: Dave Flang
Shinzen Young - Jewish Mysticism
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 59:32
- Updated: 17 Aug 2013
Shinzen Young - Jewish Mysticism, August 1987.
http://wn.com/Shinzen_Young_Jewish_Mysticism
Shinzen Young - Jewish Mysticism, August 1987.
- published: 22 Dec 2012
- views: 640
- author: HulksOperaDoc
Khors - Mysticism
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:31
- Updated: 28 Mar 2013
Album: Mysticism 2009 Genre: Ukrainian Black Metal.
http://wn.com/Khors_Mysticism
Album: Mysticism 2009 Genre: Ukrainian Black Metal.
- published: 07 Jul 2009
- views: 3603
- author: Norokh
What is Christian Mysticism?
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:11
- Updated: 19 Jul 2013
Father Peter is an ordained Priest and Master Teacher with the Ruach Center. More at http://www.ruachcenter.org/ and http://fatherpeterbowes.com/
http://wn.com/What_is_Christian_Mysticism?
Father Peter is an ordained Priest and Master Teacher with the Ruach Center. More at http://www.ruachcenter.org/ and http://fatherpeterbowes.com/
- published: 10 Mar 2011
- views: 3912
- author: ruach2351
Jewish Mysticism 7
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:56
- Updated: 12 Aug 2013
An overview of Jewish Mysticism with Jason Youngman. Topics to be discussed: Bereshith Mysticism & the teachings of Bahya Ben Joseph ibn Pakuda Talks on the ...
http://wn.com/Jewish_Mysticism_7
An overview of Jewish Mysticism with Jason Youngman. Topics to be discussed: Bereshith Mysticism & the teachings of Bahya Ben Joseph ibn Pakuda Talks on the ...
- published: 04 Jan 2013
- views: 276
- author: Jason Youngman
Alan Watts Philosophy And Society Mysticism and Morals
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 53:54
- Updated: 30 Sep 2013
http://wn.com/Alan_Watts_Philosophy_And_Society_Mysticism_and_Morals
- published: 30 Sep 2013
- views: 489
Catholic Mysticism and the Emerging Church
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 57:04
- Updated: 21 Jul 2013
Christian Colleges that Promote Contemplative (New Age) Prayer http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/Colleges.htm Rick Warren hosts 'cult' celebrity docs F...
http://wn.com/Catholic_Mysticism_and_the_Emerging_Church
Christian Colleges that Promote Contemplative (New Age) Prayer http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/Colleges.htm Rick Warren hosts 'cult' celebrity docs F...
- published: 05 Feb 2008
- views: 20233
- author: Dave Flang
Astrofaes - Fiery Mysticism
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 9:11
- Updated: 02 Jul 2013
2nd track from 1998 "Dying Emotions Domain" album.
http://wn.com/Astrofaes_Fiery_Mysticism
2nd track from 1998 "Dying Emotions Domain" album.
- published: 18 Jan 2012
- views: 892
- author: BeastOfWotan14
photo: White House / Pete Souza
21 Oct 2013
MEXICO CITY .Mexico has demanded answers from Washington following a report in a German weekly that US agents hacked into former president Felipe Calderon’s email account. Der Spiegel cited documents provided by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden as the source of its report, which claimed that the NSA has spied on the Mexican government for years. ... ... ... ... ....(size: 2.2Kb)
photo: AP
21 Oct 2013
MOUNT VICTORIA. Firefighters were racing to tame an enormous blaze in southeastern Australia Monday with officials warning it could merge with others to create a "mega-fire" if weather conditions worsen. Crews have been battling fires that flared in high winds and searing heat across the state of New South Wales last week with more than 200 homes so far destroyed and many others damaged ... ....(size: 3.9Kb)
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E! Online
22 Oct 2013
We already knew Lana Del Rey was a genuinely gifted singer, but in the latest issue of Nylon magazine, the cover girl proves that there's much more to her than just an incredibly hypnotic singing voice ... NEWS. Jaime King praises Lana Del Rey for helping deliver baby ... NEWS. Lana Del Rey releases duet with boyfriend ... I loved the mysticism, the idea of something bigger, the idea of a divine plan," she explained in the interview ... VIDEOS....(size: 2.3Kb)
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UCR Professor Conrad Rudolph to Discuss the Need for Saints at Getty Center (University of California)
noodls22 Oct 2013
(Source. University of California) UCR Professor Conrad Rudolph to Discuss the Need for Saints at Getty Center. "Why Do We Need Saints" panel on Oct. 30 is a part of "Miracles and Martyrs. Saints in the Middle Ages" exhibit ... 30. Photo by Ross French. RIVERSIDE, Calif ... Rudolph, whose interests include the social theory of medieval art, the ideological use of art, and art and social changes and whose book, "The Mystic Ark....(size: 3.1Kb)
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The Examiner
22 Oct 2013
Edgar Cayce, the legendary American mystic, gave over 15,000 psychic readings in a self-induced, deep trance state. Over 2500 of those readings were life or reincarnation readings for approximately 2000 real people. I wish that I could tell you otherwise, believe me, but if the soul of Anna was reincarnated at the time of Edgar Cayce, it was not identified in any of Edgar’s reincarnation readings. But, let us not despair ... "11 ... [DS ... "13 ... 14....(size: 5.3Kb)
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Huffington Post
22 Oct 2013
Katy Perry's going to have another No. 1 hit this year, that much is true. She might not bat five home runs like Teenage Dream, but from the first listen, Prism presents an iconic line up ... That said, Prism as a whole is not as strong of a complete record ... "Roar" ... "Lovers" deviates from the norm with its mystical concepts and banging drums ... "Birthday" ... ---- ... ....(size: 5.6Kb)
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The Examiner
22 Oct 2013
Appleton—The Paper City. Appleton, Wisconsin, at the north end of giant Lake Winnebago, is not named because of an abundance of apple trees ... It’s still proud of that heritage, but it’s also got other draws that make this city an up-and-comer in heartland America tourism ... to 12.30 p.m ... He literally owned the vaudeville stage with his illusions, and also devoted much of his life to debunking corner store crystal ball readers and mystics ... ....(size: 8.2Kb)
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IMDb
21 Oct 2013
View Photo Gallery. This week on The Vampire Diaries, the town of Mystic Falls will be celebrating something called Remembrance Day ... have risked their lives to attend, and tallied the bodies for each one too! ... ....(size: 1.0Kb)
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NZ Herald
21 Oct 2013
A colourful past comes to life when you visit Norfolk, the Pacific’s undiscovered island, writes Paul Rush. Seeking a quiet haven in the sun for a short holiday break, I have taken a 90-minute flight to Norfolk Island. The pocket-sized, 8 x 5 km island has a reputation for stunning beauty, friendly locals, charming beaches, gentle breezes and the ubiquitous Norfolk Island pines ... Spirits abound in this mystical island ... No one was there ... •....(size: 8.5Kb)
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The Irish Times
21 Oct 2013
Poetry and mathematics are worlds apart ... Take the short lyric poem known as the sonnet ... it must have 14 lines ... A Mystic Dream of Four brings poetry and maths together by telling the story of Ireland’s best known mathematician, William Rowan Hamilton – who was also a prolific poet – in 64 sonnets ... A Mystic Dream of Four will be launched in the Long Room at Trinity College, Dublin on October 31st at 6pm. ....(size: 4.1Kb)
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The Examiner
21 Oct 2013
"Nature of the Beast" is one of five new "Magic. The Gathering" decks from Wizards of the Coast's upcoming "Commander (2013 Edition)" releasing on Nov. 1, 2013 ... Mystic Barrier will prevent more than one player from attacking you, and in the meantime your massive force of Beasts from Spawning Grounds let you mow down the opposition one player at a time while they go off on a wild Witch Hunt ... Commander (1) ... Creatures (22) ... 1 Mystic Barrier ... ....(size: 4.7Kb)
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Deccan Herald
21 Oct 2013
Seikh Nizam and Noor Jehan, originally from Odisha's Kendrapara township, had shifted to Turba city of Saudi Arabia few years ago where they claimed to be a healer and ......(size: 0.9Kb)
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MSNBC
21 Oct 2013
Logging trucks may be encountered on NFSR 434 (Dakota Point Road), NFSR 605 (Sheridan North), NFSR 438 (Sheridan South), and NFSR 392 (Calumet Road) ... For more information and updates visit www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills or call Brady Howe, Mystic Ranger District, at (605) 343-1567. Advertise. Advertise ... ....(size: 1.4Kb)
Mysticism (
pronunciation (help·info); from the Greek μυστικός, mystikos, meaning 'an initiate') is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, or levels of being, or aspects of reality, beyond normal human perception, including experience of and even communion with a supreme being.
Contents |
Classical origins[link]
A "mystikos" was an initiate of a mystery religion. The Eleusinian Mysteries, (Greek: Ἐλευσίνια Μυστήρια) were annual initiation ceremonies in the cults of the goddesses Demeter and Persephone, held in secret at Eleusis (near Athens) in ancient Greece.[1] The mysteries began in about 1600 B.C. in the Mycenean period and continued for two thousand years, becoming a major festival during the Hellenic era, and later spreading to Rome.[2]
Modern understanding[link]
The present meaning of the term mysticism arose via Platonism and Neoplatonism—which referred to the Eleusinian initiation as a metaphor for the "initiation" to spiritual truths and experiences—and is the pursuit of communion with, identity with, or conscious awareness of an ultimate reality, divinity, spiritual truth, or God through direct experience, intuition, instinct or insight. Mysticism usually centers on practices intended to nurture those experiences. Mysticism may be dualistic, maintaining a distinction between the self and the divine, or may be nondualistic.[3]
Many if not all of the world's great religions have arisen around the teachings of mystics (including Buddha, Jesus, Lao Tze, and Krishna); and most religious traditions describe fundamental mystical experience, at least esoterically. Enlightenment or Illumination are generic English terms for the phenomenon, derived from the Latin illuminatio (applied to Christian prayer in the 15th century) and adopted in English translations of Buddhist texts, but used loosely to describe the state of mystical attainment regardless of faith.[4]
Conventional religions, by definition, have strong institutional structures, including formal hierarchies and mandated sacred texts and/or creeds. Adherents of the faith are expected to respect or follow these closely, so mysticism is often deprecated or persecuted.[5]
The following table briefly summarizes the major forms of mysticism within world religions and their basic concepts.
| Host Religion | Form of Mysticism | Basic Concept | Sources of Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buddhism | Shingon, Tibetan, Zen, Jhana | attainment of Nirvana, Satori: connection to ultimate reality | [6][7] |
| Christianity | Catholic spirituality, Quaker tradition, Christian mysticism, Gnosticism | Spiritual enlightenment, Spiritual vision, the Love of God, union with God (Theosis) | [8][9][10] |
| Freemasonry | - | Enlightenment | [11] |
| Hinduism | Vedanta, Yoga, Bhakti, Kashmir Shaivism | liberation from cycles of Karma, non-identification (Kaivalya), experience of ultimate reality (Samadhi), Innate Knowledge (Sahaja and Svabhava) | [12][13] |
| Islam | Sufism, Irfan | Innate knowledge, union with God (fana) | [14] |
| Jainism | Moksha | liberation from cycles of Karma | [15] |
| Judaism | Kabbalah, Hasidism | abnegation of the ego, Ein Sof | [16] |
| Rosicrucianism | - | - | [17] |
| Sikhism | - | liberation from cycles of Karma | [18][19] |
| Taoism | - | Te: connection to ultimate reality | [20] |
Literary forms used by spiritual teachers[link]
Since, by definition, mystical knowledge cannot be directly written down or spoken of (but must be experienced), numerous literary forms that allude to such knowledge - often with contradictions or even jokes - have developed, for example:
Aphorisms, poetry[link]
Aphorisms and poetry include artistic efforts to crystallize some particular description or aspect of the mystical experience in words:
-
- God is Love (Christian and Sufi in particular)
- Atman is Brahman, neti neti, "Neither This nor That" (Advaitan)
- God and me, me and God, are One (Kundalini Yoga, Sikhism)
- Zen haiku
- Ana'l Haqq, "I am The Truth", Mansur al-Hallaj. Rumi's love poems[21] (Sufism)
Koans, riddles, contradictions[link]
Zen koans, riddles, and metaphysical contradictions are intentionally irresolvable tasks or lines of thought, designed to direct one away from intellectualism and effort towards direct experience.[22]
-
- "What is the sound of one hand (clapping)?" (Zen)
- "How many angels can stand on the head of a pin?" (Christian).
These can be meant as humorous phrases (see humour, below); or as serious questions with significant mystical answers. Others believe that the most edifying understanding of these riddles is that excessive effort contemplating the impossible can give an individual the opportunity to stop trying to 'achieve' and start just 'being'.
-
- The evocative Taoist phrase—To yield is to be preserved whole, to be bent is to become straight, to be empty is to be full, to have little is to possess[23] —is another example of a metaphysical contradiction describing the path of emptying the learned self.
Jokes[link]
Jokes and humorous stories can be used in spiritual teaching to make simple yet profound metaphysical points:
-
- the Trickster or Animal Spirit stories passed down in Native American, Australian Aboriginal, and African Tribal folklore, and even the familiar "Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby".[26]
Stories, parables, metaphors[link]
Parables and metaphor include stories that have a deeper meaning to them:
-
- Jesus makes use of parables and metaphors when teaching his followers. See Parables of Jesus.
Some Passages seem to be aphorisms, riddles and parables all at once. For instance, Yunus Emre's famous passage:
- I climbed into the plum tree
- and ate the grapes I found there.
- The owner of the garden called to me,
- "Why are you eating my walnuts?"
Induction of mystical experiences[link]
Various religious texts prescribe meditative practices in order to achieve the state of consciousness which is typical of religious experience. Texts of Yoga and Tantra mention specific physical, nutritive, ethical, and meditative methods in order to achieve specific kinds of experiences.[citation needed] The traditions of Mantra Marga (literally, "the way of formulae") in particular stress the importance of saying, either aloud or to oneself internally, particular Mantras (phrases to be repeated) given by their teacher.[27] Combined with this is the set of practices related to Yantras (symbols to be meditated on). Various other ways not specific of any religion include:
- Meditation[28]
- Praying [29]
- Music [30]
- Dance, such as:
- Yoga, consisting of strenuous postures (Asanas) and other practices.[13]
- Extreme pain, such as:
- Profound sexual activity,[33]
- Use of Entheogens, such as:
- Psychological or neurophysiological anomalies, such as:
- Near-death experience[42]
A perennial philosophy[link]
The centuries-old idea of a perennial philosophy, popularized by Aldous Huxley in his 1945 book: The Perennial Philosophy, states one view of what mysticism is all about:
[W]ith the one, divine reality substantial to the manifold world of things and lives and minds. But the nature of this one reality is such that it cannot be directly or immediately apprehended except by those who have chosen to fulfill certain conditions, making themselves loving, pure in heart, and poor in spirit.[43]
Natural and religious mysticism[link]
R. C. Zaehner has identified two distinctively different mystical experiences: natural and religious mystical experiences, this being the overarching thesis of his book Mysticism Sacred and Profane.[44] Natural mystical experiences are, for example, experiences of the 'deeper self' or experiences of oneness with nature. Zaehner argues that the experiences typical of 'natural mysticism' are quite different from the experiences typical of religious mysticism. In this, Zaehner is directly opposing the views Aldous Huxley put forward in The Perennial Philosophy according to which the mystical experiences in all religions are essentially the same. Natural mystical experiences are in Zaehner's view of less value because they do not lead as directly to the virtues of charity and compassion. Zaehner is generally critical of what he sees as narcissistic tendencies in nature mysticism.[45]
The unknowable[link]
According to Schopenhauer,[46] mystics arrive at a condition in which there is no knowing subject and known object:
... we see all religions at their highest point end in mysticism and mysteries, that is to say, in darkness and veiled obscurity. These really indicate merely a blank spot for knowledge, the point where all knowledge necessarily ceases. Hence for thought this can be expressed only by negations, but for sense-perception it is indicated by symbolical signs, in temples by dim light and silence, in Brahmanism even by the required suspension of all thought and perception for the purpose of entering into the deepest communion with one's own self, by mentally uttering the mysterious Om. In the widest sense, mysticism is every guidance to the immediate awareness of what is not reached by either perception or conception, or generally by any knowledge. The mystic is opposed to the philosopher by the fact that he begins from within, whereas the philosopher begins from without. The mystic starts from his inner, positive, individual experience, in which he finds himself as the eternal and only being, and so on. But nothing of this is communicable except the assertions that we have to accept on his word; consequently he is unable to convince.
— Schopenhauer, The World as Will and Representation, Vol. II, Ch. XLVIII
Scepticism[link]
In The Emotion Machine, Marvin Minsky[47] argues that mystical experiences only seem profound and persuasive because the mind's critical faculties are relatively inactive during them:-
'Meditator: It suddenly seemed as if I was surrounded by an immensely powerful Presence. I felt that a Truth had been "revealed" to me that was far more important than anything else, and for which I needed no further evidence. But when later I tried to describe this to my friends, I found that I had nothing to say except how wonderful that experience was.This peculiar type of mental state is sometimes called a "Mystical Experience" or "Rapture," "Ecstasy," or "Bliss." Some who undergo it call it "wonderful," but a better word might be "wonderless," because I suspect that such a state of mind may result from turning so many Critics off that one cannot find any flaws in it.
What might that "powerful Presence" represent? It is sometimes seen as a deity, but I suspect that it is likely to be a version of some early Imprimer that for years has been hiding inside your mind. In any case, such experiences can be dangerous—for some victims find them so compelling that they devote the rest of their lives to trying to get themselves back to that state again.'
References and footnotes[link]
- ^ Kerényi, Karoly, "Kore," in C.G. Jung and C. Kerényi, Essays on a Science of Mythology: The Myth of the Divine Child and the Mysteries of Eleusis. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1963: pages 101-55.
- ^ Eliade, Mircea, A History of Religious Ideas: From the Stone Age to the Eleusinian Mysteries. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978.
- ^ W.F. Cobb. Mysticism and the Creed. BiblioBazaar, 2009. ISBN 978-1-113-20937-5
- ^ Evelyn Underhill. Practical Mysticism. Wilder Publications, new edition 2008. ISBN 978-1-60459-508-6
- ^ David Steindl-Rast. The Mystical Core of Organized Religion. ReVision, Summer 1989. 12 (1):11-14. Council on Spiritual Practices Retrieved 29 October 2011
- ^ D.T. Suzuki. Mysticism: Christian and Buddhist. Routledge, 2002. ISBN 978-0-415-28586-5
- ^ Shunryu Suzuki. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. Shambhala. New edition 2011.
- ^ Louth, Andrew., The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0-19-929140-3.
- ^ King, Ursula. Christian Mystics: Their Lives and Legacies Throughout the Ages. London: Routledge 2004.
- ^ Fanning, Steven., Mystics of the Christian Tradition. New York: Routledge Press, 2001.
- ^ Michael R. Poll. Masonic Enlightenment - The Philosophy, History And Wisdom Of Freemasonry. Michael Poll Publishing, 2006.
- ^ S. N. Dasgupta. Hindu Mysticism. BiblioBazaar, 2009. ISBN 978-0-559-06989-5
- ^ a b K.A. Jacobson. Theory and Practice of Yoga, 2005. Page 10 and throughout.
- ^ Reynold A. Nicholson. Studies in Islamic Mysticism. Routledge. New edition 2001. ISBN 978-0-7007-0278-7
- ^ T.K. Tukol. Yoga, Meditation & Mysticism in Jainism (Shri Raj Krishen Jain memorial lectures). Shri Raj Krishen Jain Charitable Trust, 1978.
- ^ Elior, Rachel, Jewish Mysticism: The Infinite Expression of Freedom, Oxford. Portland, Oregon: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2007.
- ^ A.E. Waite. Rosicrucian Rites and Ceremonies of the Fellowship of the Rosy Cross by Founder of the Holy Order of the Golden Dawn. Ishtar, 2008. ISBN 978-0-9783883-4-8
- ^ Mohan Singh Uberoi. Sikh Mysticism. 1964.
- ^ Krishna Chattopadhyay. The world of mystics: A comparative study of Baul, Sufi and Sikh mysticism. R.K. Prakashan, 1993.
- ^ Harold D Roth. Original Tao: Inward Training (Nei-yeh) and the Foundations of Taoist Mysticism. Columbia University Press. New Edition, 2004. ISBN 978-0-231-11565-0
- ^ Jalaluddin Rumi: Poems
- ^ Koun Yamada. The Gateless Gate: The Classic Book of Zen Koans. Wisdom Publications. New edition, 2005. ISBN 978-0-86171-382-0
- ^ Tao Te Ching. LinYutan version. Chapter 22, sentence 1. For other versions see TTC Compared
- ^ Nasruddin stories
- ^ *Bektashi jokes
- ^ Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby retold by S.E. Schlosser as 'A Georgia Folktale'. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
- ^ Daniélou, Alain: Yoga, methods of re-integration
- ^ "'Divining the brain" Salon.com (URL accessed on September 20, 2006)
- ^ "'Exploring the biology of religious experience" NRC online
- ^ "'The Emotional Effects of Music on Religious Experience: A Study of the Pentecostal-Charismatic Style of Music and Worship " Sage Journals
- ^ "Sufis seek ultimate religious experience through mystic trances or altered states of consciousness, often induced through twirling dances " Sufism: New Age Spirituality Dictionary
- ^ "'Self-inflicted Pain in Religious Experience " www.faithfaq.com (URL accessed on July 11, 2006)
- ^ *Deida, David. Finding God Through Sex ISBN 1-59179-273-8
- ^ "'Psychedelics and Religious Experience " Alan Watts http://deoxy.org/ (URL accessed on July 11, 2006)
- ^ "'Those who think of the salvia experience in religious, spiritual, or mystical terms may speak of such things as enlightenment, satori, and "cleansing the doors of perception." " sagewisdom.org (URL accessed on August 26, 2007)
- ^ "'A Note on the Safety of Peyote when Used Religiously. " www.csp.org Council on Spiritual Practices (URL accessed on July 11, 2006)
- ^ "'Drug's Mystical Properties Confirmed " www.washingtonpost.com (URL accessed on July 11, 2006)
- ^ "'The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach. " Conuncil on Spiritual Practices (URL accessed on July 11, 2006)
- ^ Katie, Byron. Loving What Is page xi ISBN 1-4000-4537-1
- ^ "'God on the Brain " http://news.bbc.co.uk (URL accessed on March 20, 2003)
- ^ "My Stroke of Insight" http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html (URL accessed on July 2, 2008)
- ^ Moody, Raymond. Life After Life ISBN 0-06-251739-2
- ^ Huxley, Aldous (1945). The Perennial Philosophy. Perennial. ISBN 0-06-057058-X.
- ^ Zaehner, R. C. Mysticism Sacred and Profane, Oxford University Press
- ^ See especially Chapters 3,4, and 6
- ^ Schopenhauer, Arthur (1844). Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung. 2.
- ^ Minksy, M: The Emotion Machine, Chapter 3, Being in Pain
Further reading[link]
- Baba, Meher (1995). Discourses. Myrtle Beach, S.C.: Sheriar Foundation. http://www.discoursesbymeherbaba.org.
- Daniels, P., Horan A. Mystic Places. Alexandria, Time-Life Books, 1987.
- Dinzelbacher, Peter. Mystik und Natur. Zur Geschichte ihres Verhältnisses vom Altertum bis zur Gegenwart. (Theophrastus Paracelsus Studien, 1) Berlin, 2009.
- Elior, Rachel, Jewish Mysticism: The Infinite Expression of Freedom, Oxford. Portland, Oregon: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2007.
- Fanning, Steven., Mystics of the Christian Tradition. New York: Routledge Press, 2001.
- Jacobsen, Knut A. (Editor); Larson, Gerald James (Editor) (2005). Theory And Practice of Yoga: Essays in Honour of Gerald James Larson. Brill Academic Publishers. (Studies in the History of Religions, 110 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=TDGFFNYvrokC)
- Harmless, William, Mystics. Oxford, 2008.
- King, Ursula. Christian Mystics: Their Lives and Legacies Throughout the Ages. London: Routledge 2004.
- Kroll, Jerome, Bernard Bachrach. The Mystic Mind: The Psychology of Medieval Mystics and Ascetics. New York and London: Routledge, 2005.
- Langer, Otto. Christliche Mystik im Mittelalter. Mystik und Rationalisierung – Stationen eines Konflikts. Darmstadt, 2004.
- Louth, Andrew., The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007.
- Masson, Jeffrey and Terri C. Masson. Buried Memories on the Acropolis. Freud's Relation to Mysticism and Anti-Semitism. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, Volume 59, 1978, pages 199-208.
- McKnight, C.J. Mysticism, the Experience of the Divine: Medieval Wisdom. Chronicle Books, 2004.
- McGinn, Bernard, The Presence of God: A History of Western Christian Mysticism'.' Volumes 1 - 4. (The Foundations of Mysticism; The Growth of Mysticism; The Flowering of Mysticism) New York, Crossroad, 1997-2005.
- Merton, Thomas, An Introduction to Christian Mysticism: Initiation into the Monastic Tradition, 3. Kalamazoo, 2008.
- Nelstrop, Louise, Kevin Magill and Bradley B. Onishi, Christian Mysticism: An Introduction to Contemporary Theoretical Approaches. Aldershot, 2009.
- Otto, Rudolf (author); Bracy, Bertha L. (translator) & Payne, Richenda C. 1932, 1960. Mysticism East and West: A Comparative Analysis of the Nature of Mysticism. New York, N. Y., USA: The Macmillan Company
- Stace, W. T. Mysticism and Philosophy. 1960.
- Stace, W. T. The Teachings of the Mystics, 1960.
- Underhill, Evelyn. Mysticism: A Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness. 1911
External links[link]
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- Resources > Medieval Jewish History > Jewish Mysticism The Jewish History Resource Center, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- "Mysticism" Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- "Mysticism" Encyclopedia of Religion and Society
- "Self-transcendence enhanced by removal of portions of the parietal-occipital cortex" Article from the Institute for the Biocultural Study of Religion
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| Born | (1915-01-06)6 January 1915 Chislehurst, Kent, England |
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| Died | 16 November 1973(1973-11-16) (aged 58) Mt. Tamalpais, California, USA |
| Era | Contemporary philosophy |
| Region | Eastern Philosophy |
| School | Zen Buddhism · Hinduism · Pantheism · Religious naturalism · Taoism |
| Main interests | Personal identity · Higher consciousness · Aesthetics · Public Ethics |
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Alan Wilson Watts (6 January 1915 – 16 November 1973) was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Born in Chislehurst, he moved to the United States in 1938 and began Zen training in New York. Pursuing a career, he attended Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, where he received a master's degree in theology. Watts became an Episcopal priest but left the ministry in 1950 and moved to California, where he joined the faculty of the American Academy of Asian Studies.
Living on the West Coast, Watts gained a large following in the San Francisco Bay Area while working as a volunteer programmer at KPFA, a Pacifica Radio station in Berkeley. Watts wrote more than 25 books and articles on subjects important to Eastern and Western religion, introducing the then-burgeoning youth culture to The Way of Zen (1957), one of the first bestselling books on Buddhism. In Psychotherapy East and West (1961), Watts proposed that Buddhism could be thought of as a form of psychotherapy and not just a religion. Like Aldous Huxley before him, he explored human consciousness in the essay, "The New Alchemy" (1958), and in the book, The Joyous Cosmology (1962).
Towards the end of his life, he divided his time between a houseboat in Sausalito and a cabin on Mount Tamalpais. His legacy has been kept alive by his son, Mark Watts, and by many of his recorded talks and lectures that have found new life on the Internet. According to the critic Erik Davis, his "writings and recorded talks still shimmer with a profound and galvanizing lucidity."[1]
Contents |
Early years[link]
Watts was born to middle class parents in the village of Chislehurst, Kent, in 1915, living at 3 (now 5) Holbrook Lane. His father was a representative for the London office of the Michelin Tyre Company, his mother a housewife whose father had been a missionary. With modest financial means, they chose to live in pastoral surroundings and Alan, an only child, grew up playing at brookside, learning the names of wildflowers and butterflies.[2] Probably because of the influence of his mother’s religious family[3] the Buchans, an interest in "ultimate things" seeped in. But it mixed with Alan’s own interests in storybook fables and romantic tales of the mysterious Far East.[4]
Watts also later wrote of a mystical vision he experienced while ill with a fever as a child. During this time he was influenced by Far Eastern landscape paintings and embroideries that had been given to his mother by missionaries returning from China. The few Chinese paintings Watts was able to see in England riveted him, and he wrote "I was aesthetically fascinated with a certain clarity, transparency, and spaciousness in Chinese and Japanese art. It seemed to float...".[5] These works of art emphasized the participative relationship of man in nature, a theme that stood fast throughout his life.
Buddhism[link]
By his own assessment, Watts was imaginative, headstrong, and talkative. He was sent to boarding schools (which included both academic and religious training of the Muscular Christianity sort) from early years. Of this religious training, he remarked “Throughout my schooling my religious indoctrination was grim and maudlin…”[6] During holidays in his teen years, Francis Croshaw, a wealthy Epicurean with strong interests in both Buddhism and the exotic little-known aspects of European culture, took Watts on a trip through France. It was not long afterward that Watts felt forced to decide between the Anglican Christianity he had been exposed to and the Buddhism he had read about in various libraries, including Croshaw’s. He chose Buddhism, and sought membership in the London Buddhist Lodge, which had been established by Theosophists, and was now run by the barrister Christmas Humphreys. Watts became the organization’s secretary at 16 (1931). The young Watts explored several styles of meditation during these years.
Education[link]
Watts attended The King's School next door to Canterbury Cathedral. Though he was frequently at the top of his classes scholastically, and was given responsibilities at school, he botched an opportunity for a scholarship to Oxford by styling a crucial examination essay in a way that was read as presumptuous and capricious.[7]
Hence, when he graduated from secondary school, Watts was thrust into the world of employment, working in a printing house and later a bank. He spent his spare time involved with the Buddhist Lodge and also under the tutelage of a "rascal guru" named Dimitrije Mitrinović. (Mitrinović was himself influenced by Peter Demianovich Ouspensky, G. I. Gurdjieff, and the varied psychoanalytical schools of Freud, Jung and Adler.) Watts also read widely in philosophy, history, psychology, psychiatry and Eastern wisdom. By his own reckoning, and also by that of his biographer Monica Furlong, Watts was primarily an autodidact. His involvement with the Buddhist Lodge in London afforded Watts a considerable number of opportunities for personal growth. Through Humphreys, he contacted eminent spiritual authors (e.g., Nicholas Roerich, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan) and prominent theosophists like Alice Bailey. In 1936, aged 21, he attended the World Congress of Faiths at the University of London, heard D. T. Suzuki read a paper, and afterwards was able to meet this esteemed scholar of Zen Buddhism. Beyond these discussions and personal encounters, Watts absorbed, by studying the available scholarly literature, the fundamental concepts and terminology of the main philosophies of India and East Asia.
Influences and first publication[link]
In 1936, Watts' first book was published, The Spirit of Zen, which he later acknowledged to be mainly digested from the writings of Suzuki.
In 1938 he and his bride left England to live in America. He had married Eleanor Everett, whose mother Ruth Fuller Everett was involved with a traditional Zen Buddhist circle in New York. A few years later, Ruth Fuller married the Zen master (or "roshi"), Sokei-an Sasaki, and this Japanese gentleman served as a sort of model and mentor to Watts, though he chose not to enter into a formal Zen training relationship with Sasaki. During these years, according to his later writings, Watts had another mystical experience while on a walk with his wife.
Watts' fascination with the Zen (or Chan) tradition—beginning during the 1930s—developed because that tradition embodied the spiritual, interwoven with the practical, as exemplified in the subtitle of his Spirit of Zen: A Way of Life, Work, and Art in the Far East. "Work," "life," and "art" were not demoted due to a spiritual focus.
Priesthood and after[link]
Watts left formal Zen training in New York because the method of the teacher didn't suit him. He was not ordained as a Zen monk, but he felt a need to find a professional outlet for his philosophical inclinations. He entered Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, an Anglican (Episcopalian) school in Evanston, Illinois, where he studied Christian scriptures, theology, and Church history. He attempted to work out a blend of contemporary Christian worship, mystical Christianity, and Asian philosophy. Watts was awarded a master's degree in theology in response to his thesis, which he published as a popular edition under the title Behold the Spirit. The pattern was set, in that Watts did not hide his dislike for religious outlooks that he decided were dour, guilt-ridden, or militantly proselytizing—no matter if they were found within Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, or Buddhism.
All seemed to go reasonably well in his next role, as Episcopalian priest (beginning in 1945, aged 30), until an extramarital affair resulted in his young wife having their marriage annulled. It also resulted in Watts leaving the ministry by 1950. He spent the New Year getting to know Joseph Campbell; his wife, Jean Erdman; and John Cage.
In early 1951, Watts moved to California, where he joined the faculty of the American Academy of Asian Studies in San Francisco. Here he taught alongside Saburō Hasegawa, Frederic Spiegelberg, Haridas Chaudhuri, lama Tokwan Tada, and various visiting experts and professors. Hasegawa, in particular, served as a teacher to Watts in the areas of Japanese customs, arts, primitivism, and perceptions of nature. Besides teaching, Watts served for several years as the Academy's administrator. One notable student of his was Eugene Rose, who later went on to become a famous Hieromonk and theologian in the Eastern Orthodox Church of America.
Watts also studied written Chinese and practiced Chinese brush calligraphy with Hasegawa as well as with some of the Chinese students who enrolled at the Academy. While Watts was noted for an interest in Zen Buddhism, his reading and discussions delved into Vedanta, "the new physics", cybernetics, semantics, process philosophy, natural history, and the anthropology of sexuality.
Middle years[link]
After heading up the Academy for a few years, Watts left the faculty for a freelance career in the mid 1950s. In 1953, he began what became a long-running weekly radio program at Pacifica Radio station KPFA in Berkeley, which continued until his death in 1973. Like other volunteer programmers at the listener-sponsored station, Watts was not paid for his broadcasts; they did, however, gain him a large following in the San Francisco Bay Area. These programs were later carried by additional Pacifica stations, and were re-broadcast many times over in the decades following his death. The original tapes are currently held by the Pacifica Radio Archives, based at KPFK in Los Angeles, and at the Electronic University archive founded by his son, Mark Watts (alanwatts.org).
In 1957 when 42, Watts published one of his best known books, The Way of Zen, which focused on philosophical explication and history. Besides drawing on the lifestyle and philosophical background of Zen, in India and China, Watts introduced ideas drawn from general semantics (directly from the writings of Alfred Korzybski and also from Norbert Wiener's early work on cybernetics, which had recently been published). Watts offered analogies from cybernetic principles possibly applicable to the Zen life. The book sold well, eventually becoming a modern classic, and helped widen his lecture circuit.
Around this time, Watts toured parts of Europe with his father, meeting the renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung. In relation to modern psychology, Watts's instincts were closer to Jung's or Abraham Maslow's than to those of Freud.
Experimentation[link]
When he returned to the United States, he began to dabble in psychedelic drug experiences, initially with mescaline given to him by Dr. Oscar Janiger. He tried LSD several times with various research teams led by Drs. Keith Ditman, Sterling Bunnell, and Michael Agron. He also tried marijuana and concluded that it was a useful and interesting psychoactive drug that gave the impression of time slowing down. Watts’ books of the ’60s reveal the influence of these chemical adventures on his outlook. He would later comment about psychedelic drug use, "When you get the message, hang up the phone."[8]
For a time, Watts came to prefer writing in the language of modern science and psychology (Psychotherapy East and West is a good example), finding a parallel between mystical experiences and the theories of the material universe proposed by 20th-century physicists. He later equated mystical experience with ecological awareness, and typically emphasized whichever approach seemed best suited to the audience he was addressing.
Supporters and critics[link]
Watts's explorations and teaching brought him into contact with many noted intellectuals, artists, and American teachers in the human potential movement. His friendship with poet Gary Snyder nurtured his sympathies with the budding environmental movement, to which Watts gave philosophical support. He also encountered Robert Anton Wilson, who credited Watts with being one of his "Light[s] along the Way" in the opening appreciation of Cosmic Trigger.
Though never affiliated for long with any one academic institution, he did have a fellowship for several years at Harvard University. He also lectured to many college and university students. His lectures and books gave him far-reaching influence on the American intelligentsia of the 1950s–1970s, but he was often seen as an outsider in academia. When questioned sharply by students during his talk at University of California Santa Cruz in 1970, Watts responded that he was not an academic philosopher but rather "a philosophical entertainer."
Watts has been criticized by Buddhists such as Roshi Philip Kapleau, John Daido Loori, and D. T. Suzuki for allegedly misinterpreting several key concepts of Zen Buddhism. Examples of the criticisms by those who believe that zazen can only be achieved by a strict and specific means of sitting as opposed to a cultivated state of mind available at any moment in any situation would be when Kapleau claimed that Watts dismissed zazen on the basis of only half a koan.[9] In regard to the aforementioned koan, Robert Baker Aitken reports that Suzuki told him "I regret to say that Mr. Watts did not understand that story."[10] In Loori's translation of Dogen's The True Dharma Eye, the author also mentions this and expands further to suggest that Zen in its essence is zazen, and cannot be grasped without the practice. This had been the predominant interpretation of Zen in the West before Alan Watts began to write. One major point raised today, however, is that the state of Zen is like that of a dog, always in the moment, regretting nothing. Although in one Koan Zhaozhou is said to have answered that a Dog does not have Buddha nature, in a different Koan from the same period Zhaozhou answered the same question in the positive, demonstrating the disagreements between the sects of 'walking monks' and 'sitting monks' that go back thousands of years. In his talks, Watts addressed the issue of defining zazen practice when he said, "A cat sits until it is tired of sitting, then gets up, stretches, and walks away."
He did, however, have his supporters in the Zen community, including Shunryu Suzuki, the founder of the San Francisco Zen Center. As David Chadwick recounted in his biography of Suzuki, when a student of Suzuki's disparaged Watts by saying “we used to think he was profound until we found the real thing," Suzuki "fumed with a sudden intensity," saying, "You completely miss the point about Alan Watts! You should notice what he has done. He is a great bodhisattva."[11]
Applied aesthetics[link]
Watts often wrote about, or sometimes alluded to, a group of neighbors in Druid Heights (near Mill Valley, California), who had endeavored to combine architecture, gardening, and carpentry skills to make a beautiful and comfortable life for themselves. These neighbors accomplished this by relying on their own talents and using their own hands, as they lived in what has been called "shared bohemian poverty."[12] Druid Heights was founded by the writer Elsa Gidlow,[13] and Watts dedicated his book The Joyous Cosmology to the people of this neighborhood.[14]
Regarding his intentions, Watts attempted to lessen the alienation that accompanies the experience of being human that he felt plagued the modern Westerner, and (like his fellow British expatriate and friend, Aldous Huxley) to lessen the ill will that was an unintentional by-product of alienation from the natural world. He felt such teaching could improve the world, at least to a degree. He also articulated the possibilities for greater incorporation of aesthetics (for example: better architecture, more art, more fine cuisine) in American life. In his autobiography he wrote, "… cultural renewal comes about when highly differentiated cultures mix".[15]
In his last novel Island (1962), Aldous Huxley mentions the religious practice of maithuna as being something like what Roman Catholics call "coitus reservatus". A few years before, Alan Watts had discussed the theme in his own book Nature, Man and Woman. There, he discusses the possibility of the practice being known to early Christians and of it being kept secretly by the Church.
Later years[link]
In his writings of the 1950s, he conveyed his admiration for the practicality in the historical achievements of Chán (Zen) in the Far East, for it had fostered farmers, architects, builders, folk physicians, artists, and administrators among the monks who had lived in the monasteries of its lineages.
In his mature work, he presents himself as "Zennist" in spirit as he wrote in his last book, Tao: The Watercourse Way. Child rearing, the arts, cuisine, education, law and freedom, architecture, sexuality, and the uses and abuses of technology were all of great interest to him.
Though known for his Zen teachings, he was equally if not more influenced by ancient Hindu scriptures, especially Vedanta, and spoke extensively about the nature of the divine Reality Man that Man misses, how the contradiction of opposites is the method of life and the means of cosmic and human evolution, how our fundamental Ignorance is rooted in the exclusive nature of mind and ego, how to come in touch with the Field of Consciousness and Light, and other cosmic principles. These are discussed in great detail in dozens of hours of audio that are in part captured in the ‘Out of Your Mind’ series.
On the personal level, Watts sought to resolve his feelings of alienation from the institutions of marriage and the values of American society, as revealed in his classic comments on love relationships in "Divine Madness" and on perception of the organism-environment in "The Philosophy of Nature".
In looking at social issues he was quite concerned with the necessity for international peace, for tolerance and understanding among disparate cultures. He also came to feel acutely conscious of a growing ecological predicament; as one instance, in the early 1960s he wrote: “Can any melting or burning imaginable get rid of these ever-rising mountains of ruin—especially when the things we make and build are beginning to look more and more like rubbish even before they are thrown away?"[16] These concerns were later expressed in a television pilot made for NET filmed at his mountain retreat in 1971 in which he noted that the single track of conscious attention was wholly inadequate for interactions with a multi-tracked world.
Political stance[link]
Distrusting both the established political left and right, Watts found political inspiration in the Chinese sage Chuang-Tzu, an ancient Taoist thinker[citation needed]. He disliked much in the conventional idea of "progress." He hoped for change, but personally he preferred amiable, semi-isolated rural social enclaves, and also believed in tolerance for urban tenderloins, social misfits, and eccentric artists. Watts decried the suburbanization of the countryside and the way of life that went with it.
In one campus lecture tour, which Watts titled "The End to the Put-Down of Man", Watts presented positive images for both nature and humanity, spoke in favor of the various stages of human growth (including the teenage years), reproached excessive cynicism and rivalry, and extolled intelligent creativity, good architecture and food[citation needed].
On spiritual and social identity[link]
Watts felt that absolute morality had nothing to do with the fundamental realization of one’s deep spiritual identity. He advocated social rather than personal ethics. In his writings, Watts was increasingly concerned with ethics applied to relations between humanity and the natural environment and between governments and citizens. He wrote out of an appreciation of a racially and culturally diverse social landscape.
He often said that he wished to act as a bridge between the ancient and the modern, between East and West, and between culture and nature.
Watts led some tours for Westerners to the Buddhist temples of Japan. He also studied some movements from the traditional Chinese martial art T'ai chi ch'uan, with an Asian colleague, Al Chung-liang Huang.
Worldview[link]
In several of his later publications, especially Beyond Theology and The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, Watts put forward a worldview, drawing on Hinduism, Chinese philosophy, pantheism, and modern science, in which he maintains that the whole universe consists of a cosmic self playing hide-and-seek (Lila), hiding from itself (Maya) by becoming all the living and non-living things in the universe, forgetting what it really is; the upshot being that we are all IT in disguise. In this worldview, Watts asserts that our conception of ourselves as an "ego in a bag of skin" is a myth; the entities we call the separate "things" are merely processes of the whole.
Internet phenomenon[link]
As part of his growing popularity, Matt Stone and Trey Parker—creators of the animated series South Park—have also contributed a video tribute by animating some of his lectures. This has spawned a culture of user-animated videos all around the net.[17]
Personal life[link]
Watts married three times and had seven children, five daughters and two sons. His oldest son, Mark Watts, currently serves as curator of his father's work.
Watts met Eleanor Everett in 1936, when her mother, Ruth Fuller Everett, brought her to London to study piano. They met at the Buddhist Lodge, were engaged the following year and married in April 1938. A daughter, Joan, was born November 1938 and another, Anne, was born in 1943. Their marriage ended eleven years later, but Watts continued to correspond with his former mother-in-law.[18]
After leaving Eleanor in 1950, Watts married Dorothy DeWitt and moved to San Francisco in early 1951 to teach. They began a family that grew to include five children: Tia, Mark, Richard, Lila, and Diane. However the couple separated in the early sixties after Watts met Mary Jane Yates King while lecturing in New York. After a difficult divorce he married Mary Jane in 1964.
Watts lived with Mary Jane in Sausalito, California, in the mid-60s.[19] He lived his later years at times on a houseboat in Sausalito called the Vallejo,[20] and at times in a secluded cabin on Mount Tamalpais.
In October 1973, Watts returned from an exhausting European lecture tour to his cabin in Mount Tamalpais. On November 16, 1973, he died in his sleep of heart failure.
Publications[link]
- 1936 The Spirit of Zen, Paperback. 1969 ISBN 0-8021-3056-9 A preview from Google Books
- 1937 The Legacy of Asia and Western Man
- 1940 The Meaning of Happiness, Paperback. 1970, ISBN 0-06-080178-6
- 1944 Theologica Mystica of St. Dionysius, (translation from Greek of pseudo-Dionysius, available online)
- 1948 Behold the Spirit:A Study in the Necessity of Mystical Religion, Vintage ed. 1972, ISBN 0-394-71761-9
- 1950 Easter – Its Story and Meaning
- 1950 The Supreme Identity, Vintage ed. 1972, ISBN 0-394-71835-6
- 1951 The Wisdom of Insecurity, Vintage ed. 1968, ISBN 0-394-70468-1
- 1953 Myth and Ritual in Christianity, Beacon Press 1971, ISBN 0-8070-1375-7
- 1957 The Way of Zen, Vintage Spiritual Classics 1999, ISBN 0-375-70510-4
- 1958 Nature, Man, and Woman, Vintage reissue 1991, ISBN 0-679-73233-0
- 1959 Beat Zen Square Zen and Zen, Paperback, ASIN B000F2RQL4
- 1960 "This Is It" and Other Essays on Zen and Spiritual Experience, Vintage reprint 1973, ISBN 0-394-71904-2
- 1961 Psychotherapy East and West, Vintage ed. 1975, ISBN 0-394-71609-4 An excerpt
- 1962 The Joyous Cosmology – Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness
- 1963 The Two Hands of God – The Myths of Polarity
- 1964 Beyond Theology – The Art of Godmanship, Vintage 1973, ISBN 0-394-71923-9
- 1966 The Book – On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, Vintage reissue 1989, ISBN 0-679-72300-5 An excerpt
- 1967 Nonsense, ISBN 0-525-47463-3. (This book is a spiritual application of literary nonsense).
- 1970 Does It Matter?: Essays on Man's Relation to Materiality, Vintage ed. 1971, ISBN 0-394-71665-5
- 1971 Erotic Spirituality – The Vision of Konarak
- 1972 The Art of Contemplation
- 1972 In My Own Way – An Autobiography 1915–1965, Vintage 1973, ISBN 0-394-71951-4 A preview from Google Books
- 1973 Cloud-hidden, Whereabouts Unknown: A Mountain Journal, Vintage 1974, ISBN 0-394-71999-9
Posthumous publications[link]
- 1974 The Essence of Alan Watts, ed. Mark Watts, Celestial Arts 1977, ISBN 0-89087-210-4
- 1975 Tao: The Watercourse Way, with Al Chung-liang Huang, Pantheon 1977, ISBN 0-394-73311-8
- 1976 Essential Alan Watts ed. Mark Watts,
- 1978 Uncarved Block, Unbleached Silk: The Mystery of Life
- 1979 Om: Creative Meditations ed. Mark Watts,
- 1982 Play to Live ed. Mark Watts,
- 1983 Way of Liberation: Essays and Lectures on the Transformation of the Self ed. Mark Watts,
- 1985 Out of the Trap ed. Mark Watts,
- 1986 Diamond Web ed. Mark Watts,
- 1987 The Early Writings of Alan Watts, Paperback. 1995, ISBN 0-89087-794-7
- 1990 The Modern Mystic: A New Collection of Early Writings
- 1994 Talking Zen ed. Mark Watts,
- 1995 Become What You Are, Shambhala Expanded ed. 2003, ISBN 1-57062-940-4
- 1995 Buddhism: The Religion of No-Religion ed. Mark Watts, A preview from Google Books
- 1995 The Philosophies of Asia ed. Mark Watts,
- 1995 The Tao of Philosophy, ed. Mark Watts, edited transcripts, Tuttle Publishing 1999, ISBN 0-8048-3204-8
- 1996 Myth and Religion ed. Mark Watts,
- 1997 Taoism: Way Beyond Seeking ed. Mark Watts,
- 1997 Zen and the Beat Way ed. Mark Watts,
- 1998 Culture of Counterculture ed. Mark Watts,
- 1999 Buddhism: The Religion of No-Religion, ed. Mark Watts, edited transcripts, Tuttle Publishing, ISBN 0-8048-3203-X
- 2000 What Is Zen?, editor: Mark Watts, New World Library, ISBN 0-394-71951-4 A preview from Google Books
- 2000 What Is Tao?, ed. Mark Watts, New World Library, ISBN 1-57731-168-X
- 2000 Still the Mind: An Introduction to Meditation, ed. Mark Watts, New World Library, ISBN 1-57731-214-7
- 2000 Eastern Wisdom, ed. Mark Watts, MJF Books, ISBN 1-56731-491-0, three books in one volume: What is Zen?, What is Tao?, and An Introduction to Meditation (Still the Mind). These were assembled from transcriptions of audio tape recordings made by his son Mark, of lectures and seminars given by Alan Watts during the last decade of his life. They constitute simplified introductions to the philosophies he taught.
- 2002 Zen, the Supreme Experience: The Newly Discovered Scripts, ed. Mark Watts, Vega
- 2006 Eastern Wisdom, Modern Life: Collected Talks, 1960-1969, New World Library
Audio and video works, essays[link]
Including recordings of lectures at major universities and multi-session seminars: Many of his works have made it easier for western people to apprehend eastern esoteric thinking, which until now required western people to travel to Asia and spend years learning the subtle nuances of the profound traditions.
- 1960 Eastern Wisdom and Modern Life, television series, (here)
- 1960 Essential Lectures, audio recordings, (here)
- 1960 Nature of Consciousness, essay, (here)
- 1960 The Value of Psychotic Experience
- 1960 The World As Emptiness
- 1960 From Time to Eternity
- 1960 Lecture On Zen
- 1960 The Cross of Cards
- 1960 Taoism
- 1962 This Is IT
- 1968 "Psychedelics & Religious Experience", in California Law Review (here)
- 1969 Why Not Now: The Art of Meditation
- 1971 A Conversation With Myself (part 1 part 2part 3)
- 1994 Zen: The Best of Alan Watts (VHS)
- 2005 Do You Do It, or Does It Do You?: how to let the universe meditate you (CD)
- 2007 Zen Meditations with Alan Watts, DVD, (here)
Biographical publications[link]
- Genuine Fake: a Biography of Alan Watts, by Monica Furlong, Published by Heinemann, 1986
Academic connections[link]
Saybrook University offers the only course on Watts in the United States and perhaps the world (HTP 3075: The Life of Alan Watts). Saybrook also has the only Watts academic chair in the world, which is held by Stanley Krippner, Executive Faculty Member.[citation needed]
Notes[link]
- ^ David, Erik (2006). The Visionary State: A Journey through California's Spiritual Landscape. Chronicle Books. ISBN 0-8118-4835-3.
- ^ Watts, Alan W. 1973 In My Own Way: An Autobiography 1915–1965, New York: Pantheon
- ^ Zen Effects: The Life of Alan Watts, by Monica Furlong, p. 12
- ^ Zen Effects: The Life of Alan Watts, by Monica Furlong, p. 22
- ^ Watts, Alan W. 1973, pp. 71–72
- ^ Watts, Alan W. 1973, p. 60
- ^ Watts, Alan W. 1973, p. 102
- ^ The Joyous Cosmology: Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness (the quote is new to the 1965/1970 edition (page 26), and not contained in the original 1962 edition of the book).
- ^ Kapleau 1967, pp. 21–22
- ^ Aitken 1997, p. 30. [1]
- ^ Chadwick, D: Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki, Broadway Books,2000
- ^ ^ Davis, Erik (May 2005). Druids and Ferries "Druids and Ferries". Arthur (Brooklyn: Arthur Publishing Corp.) (16). http://www.techgnosis.com/index_druid.html Druids and Ferries.
- ^ Davis, Erik (May 2005). "Druids and Ferries". Arthur (Brooklyn: Arthur Publishing Corp.) (16). http://www.techgnosis.com/index_druid.html.
- ^ The Joyous Cosmology, p. v
- ^ Watts, In My Own Way
- ^ The Joyous Cosmology, p. 63
- ^ Flash Animated Philosophy From South Park Creators www.coldhardflash.com
- ^ Stirling 2006, pg. 27
- ^ The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are (1966)
- ^ Watts, Alan, 1973, pp. 300–304
References[link]
- Aitken, Robert. Original Dwelling Place. Counterpoint. Washington, D.C. 1997. ISBN 1-887178-41-4 (paperback)
- Charters, Ann (ed.). The Portable Beat Reader. Penguin Books. New York. 1992. ISBN 0-670-83885-3 (hard cover); ISBN 0-14-015102-8 (paperback)
- Furlong, Monica, Zen Effects: The Life of Alan Watts Houghton Mifflin. New York. 1986 ISBN 0-395-45392-5, Skylight Paths 2001 edition of the biography, with new foreword by author: ISBN 1-893361-32-2
- Kapleau, Philip. Three Pillars of Zen (1967) Beacon Press. ISBN 0-8070-5975-7
- Stirling, Isabel. "Zen Pioneer: The Life & Works of Ruth Fuller Sasaki" Shoemaker & Hoard. 2006. ISBN 978-1-59376-110-3
- Watts, Alan, In My Own Way New York. Random House Pantheon. 1973 ISBN 0-394-46911-9 (his autobiography)
External links[link]
|
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Alan Watts |
- The Alan Watts Electronic University – Alan Watts audio and video courses, co-founded by Alan Watts, Mark Watts, and Henry Jacobs in 1973.
- Alan Watts Podcast – The official Podcast of Alan Watts
- Master Enlightenments Arts Seminars and Lectures by Alan Watts – Looking at many different forms of enlightenment – Recorded by Henry Jacobs in 1964/65 who set up the original Alan Watts radio network.
- Alan Watts Online – Project Unicorn (also via Archive.org)
- Works by or about Alan Watts in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
- Watts essay on Nothingness (This link no longer functions.)
- Alan Watts Lectures and Essays Audio, video, essays and articles – resources from deoxy.org
- Alan Watts' This Is IT: The First Psychedelic LP essay by Patrick Lundborg
- Alan Watts Resource Compilation A collection of audio and video links of Alan Watts lecture and essays
- Alan Watts on YouTube, South Park Interview with Mark Watts on the resurgence of his father's work
- watts.progressiveradionetwork.org Gary Nulls online station with Alan Watts show including some archived audio lectures.
- Alan Watts. The Book: On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Watts, Alan |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | English philosopher |
| Date of birth | January 6, 1915 |
| Place of birth | Chislehurst, Kent, England |
| Date of death | November 16, 1973 |
| Place of death | Mt. Tamalpais, California |
http://wn.com/Alan_Watts
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
| Huston Smith | |
|---|---|
| File:Huston Smith.jpg Huston Smith |
|
| Born | (1919-05-31) May 31, 1919 (age 93) Suzhou, China |
| Occupation | Author and Professor of Religion |
| Known for | Author of The World's Religions |
| Spouse | Kendra Smith |
| Website | |
| www.hustonsmith.net | |
Huston Cummings Smith (born May 31, 1919 in Suzhou, China) is a religious studies scholar in the United States. His book The World's Religions (originally titled The Religions of Man) has sold over two million copies[1] and remains a popular introduction to comparative religion.[2]
Contents |
Education[link]
Smith was born in China to Methodist missionaries and spent his first 17 years there. Upon coming to the U.S. for education, he studied at Central Methodist University and the University of Chicago.[3]
Teaching[link]
He taught at the University of Denver from 1944 to 1947; then at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri for the next ten years. He was then appointed professor and chair of the philosophy department at MIT from 1958 to 1973. While there, he participated in experiments with psychedelics that professors Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (aka Ram Dass) conducted at Harvard University. He then moved to Syracuse University, where he was Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion and Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Philosophy until his retirement in 1983 and current emeritus status. At University of California, Berkeley he was visiting professor of religious studies.
Religious practice[link]
During his career, Smith not only studied, but practiced Vedanta (studying under Swami Satprakashananda, founder of the St. Louis Vedanta Center [4], Zen Buddhism (studying under Goto Zuigan), and Sufi Islam for over ten years each [5].
As a young man, he suddenly turned from traditional Methodist Christianity to mysticism by the influence of the writings of Gerald Heard and Aldous Huxley. In 1947, before moving from Denver to St. Louis, Smith set out to meet with then-famous author Gerald Heard. Heard responded to Smith's letter, inviting him to his Trabuco College (later donated as the Ramakrishna Monastery) in Southern California. Heard made arrangements to have Smith meet the legendary author Aldous Huxley. Smith was told to look up Swami Satprakashananda of the Vedanta Society once he settled in St. Louis. So began Smith's experimentation with meditation and association with the Vedanta Society of the Ramakrishna order.[6]
Smith developed an interest in the Traditionalist School formulated by René Guénon and Ananda Coomaraswamy. This interest has become a continuing thread in all his writings.
Thanks to his connection with Heard and Huxley, Smith went on to meet Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), and others at the Center for Personality Research, where Leary was Research Professor. The group began experimenting with psychedelics and what Smith later called "empirical metaphysics."[7] The experience and history of the group are described in Smith's book Cleansing the Doors of Perception. During this period, Smith was also part of the Harvard Project, an attempt to raise spiritual awareness through entheogenic plants.
During his tenure at Syracuse University, he was informed by leaders of the Onondaga Tribe about the Native American religious traditions and practices, which resulted in an additional chapter in his book on the World's Religions.
In 1990 the Supreme Court ruled that the use of Peyote as a religious sacrament by Native Americans was not protected under the US Constitution. Smith took up the cause, as a noted religion scholar, and with his help, in 1994 Congress passed the American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendment, basically overturning the Supreme Court[8].
Books[link]
- The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions, 1958, rev. ed. 1991, HarperOne, ISBN 0-06-250811-3[9]
- Forgotten Truth: The Common Vision of the World's Religions, 1976, reprint ed. 1992, HarperOne, ISBN 0-06-250787-7[10]
- Beyond the Postmodern Mind, 1982, reprint ed. 1989, Quest Books, ISBN 0-8356-0647-3
- The Illustrated World's Religions: A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions,1995, HarperOne, ISBN 0-06-067440-7[11]
- Cleansing the Doors of Perception: The Religious Significance of Entheogenic Plants and Chemicals, 2000, Tarcher/Putnam, ISBN 1-58542-034-4, Council on Spiritual Practices, ISBN 1-889725-03-X, Sentient Publications, ISBN 1-59181-008-6[12]
- Why Religion Matters: The Fate of the Human Spirit in an Age of Disbelief, 2001, HarperOne, 1st ed.:ISBN 0-06-067099-1, reprint 2002: ISBN 0-06-067102-5[13]
- Islam: A Concise Introduction, HarperOne, 2001, ISBN 0-06-166018-3[14]
- The Way Things Are: Conversations with Huston Smith on the Spiritual Life, 2003, University of California Press, ISBN 0-520-23816-8 (cloth); ISBN 0-520-24489-3 (paper) Edited and with a Preface by Phil Cousineau
- Buddhism: A Concise Introduction, with Philip Novak, HarperOne, 2004, ISBN 0-06-073067-6[15]
- The Soul of Christianity: Restoring the Great Tradition, 2005, HarperOne, 1st ed. ISBN 0-06-079478-X[16]
- A Seat at the Table: Huston Smith in Conversation with Native Americans on Religious Freedom, 2006, University of California Press, ISBN 0-520-24439-7 (cloth) Edited and with a Preface by Phil Cousineau With Assistance from Gary Rhine
- Tales of Wonder, an autobiographical review of his life and associations.
Television and film[link]
While at Washington University, Smith was the host of two National Educational Television series (NET – the forerunner of PBS): The Religions of Man and Search for America.[17]
In 1996, Bill Moyers devoted a 5-part PBS special to Smith's life and work, "The Wisdom of Faith with Huston Smith". Smith has produced three series for public television: "The Religions of Man", "The Search for America", and (with Arthur Compton) "Science and Human Responsibility". His films on Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Sufism have all won awards at international film festivals.
- The Wisdom of Faith with Huston Smith: A Bill Moyers Special: A Personal Philosophy, 1996, PBS, DVD
- The Roots of Fundamentalism: A Conversation with Huston Smith and Phil Cousineau, 2006, GemsTone - distributed by mondayMEDIA, DVD
- Death and Transformation: The Personal Reflections of Huston Smith, 2007, Fons Vitae, DVD
- The Arc of Life: Huston Smith on Life, Death & Beyond, 2012, GemsTone - distributed by mondayMEDIA, DVD[18]
Recording[link]
In 1967, while traveling in India, Smith stayed in a Gyuto Tibetan Buddhist monastery. During his visit he heard the monks chanting and realized that each monk was producing a chord of notes, rather than a single note. He recorded the chanting and when he returned to MIT, he had acoustic engineers analyze the sounds[19]. They confirmed the finding. Smith has called this the single most important empirical discovery of his career. The recording was release as an LP titled Music of Tibet[20][21], and later through an agreement with mondayMEDIA, released on CD. Royalties from the sales go to support the Gyuto University[22].
Awards[link]
For his life long commitment to bringing the world’s religions together to promote understanding, social justice and peace, Smith received the Courage of Conscience Award from the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Massachusetts.[23]
Smith was named to be one of the first recipients of the Order of Universal Interfaith and Universal Order of Sannyasa's "Interfaith-Interspiritual Sage Award" in January 2010. He received the award at his home on February 23, 2010.[24]
Quotes[link]
"If we take the world's enduring religions at their best, we discover the distilled wisdom of the human race."[25]
"Institutions are not pretty. Show me a pretty government. Healing is wonderful, but the American Medical Association? Learning is wonderful, but universities? The same is true for religion... religion is institutionalized spirituality."[26]
"In order to live, man must believe in that which he lives."[27]
"The goal of spiritual life is not altered states, but altered traits."[28]
References[link]
- ^ review of PBS Bill Moyers interview of Huston Smith
- ^ Bill, Williams (July 27, 2009). "Religion scholar stresses events over emotions". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/07/27/huston_smiths_memoir_stresses_events_over_emotions/. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
- ^ Smith, Huston 2001 Why Religion Matters. Harper-Collins: San Francisco.
- ^ Vedanta Center of St. Louis website
- ^ http://www.harpercollins.com/author/microsite/about.aspx?authorid=9210
- ^ "Description by Smith of meeting Heard". Geraldheard.com. http://www.geraldheard.com/recollections.htm#A%20Second%20Conversion. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Ralph Metzner (2005-04-18). "The Ecstatic Adventure – Chapter 5". Psychedelic-library.org. http://www.psychedelic-library.org/books/ecstatic5.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Review of One Nation Under God
- ^ "Browse Books at HarperCollins Publishers". Harpercollins.com. 2010-03-24. http://harpercollins.com/books/9780062508119/The_Worlds_Religions/index.aspx. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Smith, Huston. "Forgotten Truth: The Common Vision of the World's Religions by Huston Smith". Harpercollins.com. http://harpercollins.com/books/9780062507877/Forgotten_Truth/index.aspx. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Smith, Huston. "The Illustrated World's Religions: A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions by Huston Smith". Harpercollins.com. http://harpercollins.com/books/9780060674403/The_Illustrated_Worlds_Religions/index.aspx. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ "Council on Spiritual Practices – Cleansing the Doors of Perception". Csp.org. http://www.csp.org/cdp/CDP.html. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Smith, Huston. "Why Religion Matters: The Fate of the Human Spirit in an Age of Disbelief by Huston Smith". Harpercollins.com. http://harpercollins.com/books/9780060671020/Why_Religion_Matters/index.aspx. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Smith, Huston. "Islam: A Concise Introduction by Huston Smith". Harpercollins.com. http://harpercollins.com/books/Islam/?isbn=9780060095574. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Smith, Huston; Philip Novak. "Buddhism: A Concise Introduction". Harpercollins.com. http://harpercollins.com/books/Buddhism/?isbn=9780060730673. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Smith, Huston. "The Soul of Christianity: Restoring the Great Tradition by Huston Smith". Harpercollins.com. http://harpercollins.com/books/9780060858353/The_Soul_of_Christianity/index.aspx. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ "Biography of Smith". Harpercollins.com. http://www.harpercollins.com/author/microsite/About.aspx?authorid=9210. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Official Website
- ^ Huston Smith telling story of recording
- ^ Allmusic.com listing
- ^ NPR story of recording and MIT analysis
- ^ Official Website of Recording
- ^ "The Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Recipients List". Peaceabbey.org. 2005-11-20. http://www.peaceabbey.org/awards/cocrecipientlist.html. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ "OUnI Ordination and Sage Award". Ouni.org. http://www.ouni.org/ouni_ordination_awards.html. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Sinclair Community College
- ^ Mother Jones November/December 1997.
- ^ From searchquotes.com
- ^ Circle of Light article
External links[link]
- Huston Smith official website
- Huston Smith online essays, bibliography, and information at World Wisdom
- Works by or about Huston Smith in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
- Roots of Fundamentalism DVD homepage
- Interview in Mother Jones magazine
- Interview transcript from Thinking Allowed PBS television program
- Video interview on Google Video
- Some mp3 files of a talk about Gnosticism
- Critical review of Why Religion Matters
- Pigliucci, Massimo (2010-03-10). "The Place of Science". eSkeptic (The skeptics society). ISSN 1556-5696. http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/10-03-10/#feature. Retrieved 2010-03-10. A critical review of parallels between science and religion described in Forgotten Truth.
- LibraryThing author profile
- Interview with Robert Wright
- The Peace Abbey
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Smith, Huston Cummings |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | Religious studies scholar |
| Date of birth | May 31, 1919 |
| Place of birth | Suzhou, China |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Huston_Smith
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huston_Smith
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
File:Shinzen2.gif
Shinzen Young meditating.
Shinzen Young (真善, Shinzen?) is an American meditation teacher. He leads residential meditation retreats for students interested in learning the Vipassana (mindfulness) tradition of Buddhism. Although Vipassana is traditionally a Theravada technique, Shinzen was originally ordained in Japan as a monk in the Shingon (Japanese Vajrayana) tradition.[1] He has studied and practiced extensively in other traditions, including Zen and Native American traditions.
He frequently uses concepts from mathematics as a metaphor to illustrate the abstract concepts of meditation. As a result, his teachings tend to be popular among academics and professionals.[2] His interest in integrating meditation with scientific paradigms has led to collaborations with neuroscientists at UCLA and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is working on various ways to bring a secular mindfulness practice to a wider audience, using revamped terminology and techniques and automated expert systems.[3]
Contents |
Personal Life[link]
Shinzen was born Steve Young in Los Angeles, California. He had a strong interest in Japanese language and Asian culture in high school, which led to him living as an exchange student in Japan. There he was exposed to Buddhism and Buddhist teachers, which eventually led him to become a monk.[4]
Books[link]
- Break Through Pain: A Step-by-Step Mindfulness Meditation Program for Transforming Chronic and Acute Pain (2006) ISBN 1-59179-199-5
- Emotional Healing through Mindfulness Meditation: Stories and Meditations for Women Seeking Wholeness (2002) ISBN 0-89281-998-7
- The Beginner's Guide to Meditation (2002) ISBN 1-56455-971-8
Audio publications[link]
- The Science of Enlightenment (2005) ISBN 1-59179-232-0
- Pain Relief (2004) ISBN 1-59179-180-4
- Beginner's Mind: 3 Classic Meditation Practices Especially for Beginners (1999) ISBN 1-56455-733-2
- Break Through Difficult Emotions: How to Transform Painful Feelings With Mindfulness Meditation (1997) ISBN 1-56455-441-4
- Break Through Pain: How to Relieve Pain Using Powerful Meditation Techniques (1997) ISBN 1-56455-365-5
- Meditation in the Zone: How to Turn Your Workout into a High-Quality Meditation (1996) ISBN 1-56455-392-2
- Five Classic Meditations: Mantra, Vipassana, Karma Yoga, Loving Kindness, Kabbalah (1990) ISBN 1-55927-035-7 (2004) ISBN 1-59397-521-X
References[link]
- ^ The Point of Contact Fall 2005 By Polly Young-Eisendrath, in Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
- ^ http://scienceandreligion.arizona.edu/spring2005.html
- ^ "BG 102: Shinzen Young: The Hybrid Teacher" (Podcast). Buddhist Geeks: Seriously Buddhist, Seriously Geeky. 2008-12-28. http://www.buddhistgeeks.com/2008/12/bg-102-shinzen-young-the-hybrid-teacher/. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ Shinzen, Young. "Shinzen Young". http://shinzen.org. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
External links[link]
- Shinzen Young's Website - This site has a broad range of theoretical and practice focussed articles and audio dharma talks. Last updated late 2008.
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Young, Shinzen |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | American meditation teacher |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Shinzen_Young
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinzen_Young
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
