Greetings,
Rich (ignoring the sarcasm): Mysticism is best described using the Wittgensteinian notion of family
resemblances rather than a discrete definition. As such we can say that it is characterised by:
1) A belief in a world of reality different to that which manifests itself to the natural senses.
2) A belief in the unity of all things.
3) A denial of the reality of time.
4) A denial of the reality of evil
5) A belief in the value of intuition over reason.
A mystic is one who subscribes to the above and a mystical practice is one which attempts to promote
any of the above.
Note that I am not claiming that this is a discrete and absolute definition - such things do not
exist for this kind of term. Also note that I am not claiming that all mysticism adheres to all
these points. The notion of family resemblances is vital here.
When used on this forum, the term mystic has generally been applied to anything that the user
misunderstands or wants to hold as 'sacred.' This is not mysticism, rather it is an excuse for not
being able (or willing) to apply reason to intuition. The claim that this cannot be done descends
(inevitably) into relativism and thus has no place in the MoQ.
Clear and concise enough?
Struan
------------------------------------------
Struan Hellier
< mailto:struan@shellier.freeserve.co.uk>
"All our best activities involve desires which are disciplined and
purified in the process."
(Iris Murdoch)
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