Mysticism: Holiness East and West / Edition 1

by Denise Lardner Carmody, John Tully Carmody

Overview

Mysticism is pervasive throughout the religions of the world, yet varies widely in its particulars. This comprehensive work surveys the mystical dimension of the world's major religions, beginning with a working description of mysticism as "direct experience of ultimate reality," and examining how this understanding of mysticism holds up when set in interaction with Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese, Japanese, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. The authors also examine the religious practices of North American, Latin American, African, and Australian native peoples, illuminating the history, principal beliefs, and teachings of each religion, and examining the lives and works of each tradition's outstanding mystics. The result is a dialogue between the particulars of mystical experience, which vary from tradition to tradition, and the generalities they share which make it possible to discuss mysticism across these traditions. This accessibly written introduction will appeal to students of mysticism, readers seeking mystical experience, and all those interested in religion as practiced throughout the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195088199
Publisher:	Oxford University Press, USA
Publication date:	02/01/1996
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	9.25(w) x 6.19(h) x 0.89(d)

About the Author

About the Authors:
Denise Lardner Carmody is Hanley Professor of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University. John Tully Carmody is Senior Research Fellow in Religion, also at Santa Clara University.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Hinduism
3. Buddhism
4. Chinese and Japanese Traditions
5. Jewish Traditions
6. Christian Traditions
7. Muslim Traditions
8. Mysticism among Oral Peoples
9. Conclusion
Index

Editorial Reviews

"A brilliant and moving overview of representative moments in the mystical tradition of the world's major religions....More than introducing us to the sacramental, metaphorical language of the mystics and providing a refreshing, liberating, and kaleidoscopic guide to creative self-transformation, Denise and John Carmody share their own spiritual sensitivity with us."—Leonard J. Biallas, Division of Theology and Philosophy, Quincy University

"The best single-volume, popular book to date on mysticism east and west. Erudite, concise, nuanced, balanced, and pellucid, it captures both the mind and heart of the world's great mystical traditions." —Harvey D. Egan, Professor of Systematic and Mystical Theology, Boston College

From the Publisher

Provides a theory of mysticism as a direct encounter with ultimate reality and surveys mysticism in Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese and Japanese religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the traditional religious cultures of oral peoples in North America, Latin America, Australia, and Africa. Illuminates the history and teachings of each religion, and examines the lives and works of each tradition's outstanding mystics, touching on subjects such as yoga, prophecy, and shamanism. For undergraduates and general readers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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