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Join us online for a terrific course that will introduce the mystical path as it wends its way through it's many twists and turns. |
Emerson Online Studies
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Andrew Harvey's 'The Essential Mystics' is subtitled 'The Soul's Journey into Truth'; this is a book which takes a broad approach to exploring the mystical side of religion, whatever cultural contexts it might take. This is apparent from the basic listing of chapters: Voices from the First World Drawing on the holy texts of the different traditions, and exploring the practices of the spiritualists, monastics and holy teachers of these traditions, Harvey has given us a concise volume that reaches to infinity. Harvey's ancient, native and cultural mystical experience has a choice example in the following: 'Sacred One, With regard to Taoism, Harvey says, 'This vision in its sanity, lack of pretension, depth, humanity, and wise, demanding humility offers, I have found, a marvelous touchstone by which to inwardly test both the truths and the imbalances of the later mystical traditions.' In exploring Hindi mysticism, Harvey claims that Hinduism's chief attraction to us now is that it has kept alive a very full at once majestic and tender vision of God the Mother. 'Daily existence in the heart of my
extended family The way of clarity in Buddhism is exemplified by the Buddha's statements, such as, 'Be a lamp into yourself! Work out your liberation with diligence!' The Buddha awoke to clarity, and Harvey introduces the four noble truths and other enlightenment texts. Harvey's exploration of Jewish mysticism explores an extraordinary positive vision of the divine and the human life.... Yahweh is both transcendent and immanent, thus giving blessing and goodness to the world. This follows the kabalistic tradition with insight and sensitivity. The chapter on Ancient Greece is one of the real treasures of this book, for it is a topic which is often overlooked. We are much more familiar with the philosophical, political, and historical writings, as well as literature, but a true mystical sense has often been discounted as a side-show to the mythology. But Harvey says, 'in the great pre-Socratic philosophers such as Heraclites and Empedocles we find maters of fearless paradox who rival the anonymous seers of the Vedas and Upanishads in their awareness of the necessity of opposites and of the unity that uses, contains, and transcends them.' Harvey's chapter on the mysticism of Islam follows a Sufi approach; there is passion in realizing reality, burning like the Flame of Love, that sees all of creation as a reflection or even incarnation of the divine. 'O My servants who believe! In the chapter on Christianity, Harvey states, 'one of my hopes for this anthology is that it will deepen this wonder by helping people to see the truths of the other mystical traditions reflected in the depths of the Christian messages.' Harvey knows that the primary audience for this book is the western, Christianized (if not Christian) academic readers. He also explores his own journey which recognizes the spirituality of Mary and Jesus as male and female subjects of mysticism. These chapters provide a brief introduction to the wide range of mystical paths in history. They provide much meditation material, and the brief introductory texts to each section are gracefully enlightening and blessedly brief, so as to let the texts themselves speak. |
Course Description: This class shows you how to live from the consciousness of a practical mystic. Practical Mysticism will explore mysticism as it wends its way through the Wisdom tradition. Readings will include writings from the diverse cornucopia of mystical writers and includes a text by Religious Science Minister, Dr. Tom Sannar. We will practice meditation, journaling and will provide spiritual support to our classmates while we allow them to touch our hearts and souls.
Everything in the teachings of New Thought begins with conscious realization that we are unified and one with the universe. In this class we will learn to have direct experience with the divine and how this is always possible, under all circumstances, for each individual.
Throughout the class we will take our
spiritual realizations and practically apply them within our lives. The
mystical tradition teaches us that world we live in is meant to delight us
and at the same time provide a workshop for our souls. Wisdom says that
we are meant to participate fully in the world without forgetting that we
are spiritual beings. We are designed to be passionate in the process of
life while simultaneously being unattached from outcomes. The
mystical path shows us the way!
A seven week introductory course for newcomers to New Thought who would like to know what we say mysticism is and where we place the teachings of the New Testament.
Students will study the writings from Ernest Holmes, Emmet Fox, and materials edited and written by the instructor and gleaned from the words of Mystics throughout the ages.
Why do we consider ourselves to be mystics?
The goal of mysticism is union with the divine or sacred. We all know that when we experience Love within us, we are somehow more grounded, more at peace with who we know ourselves to be, more at ease in the world, less ruffled by that which we may not understand. Though we may find it all very difficult to discuss why this is so, we intuitively know that there is something not visible and we wish to gain access to it's secrets, if only out of curiosity.
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Book Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
The Essential Mystics
According to Andrew Harvey, mystical experiences with God bring us "a sense of wonder, a freedom from time's fury and anxiety, and a growing revelation of a far larger and more marvelous universe and a far vaster identity than anything we could begin to intuit with our ordinary senses and consciousness." As editor of The Essential Mystics Harvey has brought together a broad range of writings that are designed to spur the soul to contemplation, awe, unity, and reverence. There are selections from tribal cultures in "Voices of the First World." Other chapters are "Taoism: The Way of the Tao," "Hinduism: The Way of Presence," "Buddhism: The Way of Clarity," "Judaism: The Way of Holiness," "Ancient Greece: The Way of Beauty," "Islam: The Way of Passion;" and "Christianity: The Way of Love in Action." Throughout the book, Harvey emphasizes the sacred feminine, the motherhood of God in all of the traditions. Like the great Bede Griffiths, he's convinced that this emphasis is desperately needed in the twentieth century as a source for compassion, imagination, and spiritual renewal. ______________________________________________________________
Evelyn Underhill, an English poet and mystic, was the 20th century's most authoritative voice on mysticism. She defined clearly and succinctly the importance of mysticism as an underlying foundation of any religious or spiritual practice.
For more about Evelyn Underhill, see: http://www.evelynunderhill.org/______________________________________________________________
DR. SUSANNE FREEBORN - Has been teaching online since 1997 when she completed the requirements of her ministerial studies program. Dr. Freeborn is the developer, director, and founder of the Emerson Online Studies program for Emerson Institute. She received a Juris Doctorate degree in 1995 from Monterey College of Law in Monterey, California; and a Doctorate in Religious Studies from the Emerson Institute in Oakhurst, California in 1998. Contact Information
Emerson Online
Studies
Questions to: Dr. Susanne Freeborn
Tuition: $200.00 Materials: $20.00 Registration Form
Note: You can locate good inexpensive used copies of most books through
Many of the assigned texts are available online as well! E-mail Dr. Susanne Freeborn for details.
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