Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness

Challenges the prevailing view that mystical experience is shaped by language and culture and argues that mystical experience is a direct encounter with consciousness itself. In an exploration of mystical texts from ancient India and China to medieval Europe and modern day America, Robert K. C. Forman, one of the leading voices in the study of mystical experiences, argues that the various levels of mysticism may not be shaped by culture, language, and background knowledge, but rather are a direct encounter with our very conscious core itself. Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness focuses on first-hand accounts of two distinct types of mystical experiences. Through examination of texts, recorded interviews, and courageous autobiographical experiences, the author describes not only the well-known "pure consciousness event" but also a new, hitherto uncharted "dualistic mystical state." He provides a thorough and readable depiction of just what mysticism feels like. These accounts, and the experiences to which they give voice, arise from the heart of living practices and have substance and detail far beyond virtually any others in the literature. The book also reexamines the philosophical issues that swirl around mysticism. In addition to examining modern day constructivist views, Forman argues that the doctrines of Kant, Husserl, and Brentano cannot be applied to mysticism. Instead he offers new philosophical insights, based on the work of Chinese philosopher of mind Paramartha. The book concludes with an examination of mind and consciousness, which shows that mysticism has a great deal to tell us about human experience and the nature of human knowledge far beyond mysticism itself. "Forman undermines the accepted view of how humans come to know what has rested virtually unchallenged since Kant." -- Beverly J. Lanzetta, Grinnell College In An Exploration Of Mystical Texts From Ancient India And China To Medieval Europe And Modern Day America, Robert K.c. Forman, One Of The Leading Voices In The Study Of Mystical Experiences, Argues That The Various Levels Of Mysticism May Not Be Shaped By Culture, Language And Background Knowledge, But Rather Are A Direct Encounter With Our Very Conscious Core Itself. Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness Focuses On First-hand Accounts Of Two Distinct Types Of Mystical Experiences. Through Examination Of Texts, Recorded Interviews, And Courageous Autobiographical Experiences, The Author Describes Not Only The Well-known Pure Consciousness Event But Also A New, Hitherto Uncharted Dualistic Mystical State. He Provides A Thorough And Readable Depiction Of Just What Mysticism Feels Like. These Accounts, And The Experiences To Which They Give Voice, Arise From The Heart Of Living Practices And Have Substance And Detail Far Beyond Virtually Any Others In The Literature.--jacket. Mystics And Constructivists -- Reports Of Pure Consciousness Events -- Of Horses And Horse Carts -- Non-linguistic Meditation -- Buddhists And Constructivism -- Of Horse Carts And Space Capsules : Constructive Language And Spiritual Techniques -- Knowledge By Identity -- Silence, Thinking, And Cutting Carrots : Characterizing An Advanced Mystical State -- The Janus-faced Soul : An Epistemology Of The Dualistic Mystical State. Robert K.c. Forman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 201-209) And Index. Front Cover 1 Title Page 2 Copyright 3 Dedication 3 Contents 4 Preface 5 1. Mystics and Constructivists 6 Part I The Pure Consciousness Event 10 2. Reports of Pure Consciousness Events 11 3. Of Horses and Horse Carts 21 4. Non-Linguistic Mediation 33 5. Buddhists and Constructivists 46 Part II A new Model for Pure Consciousness 52 6. Of Horse Carts and Space Capsules: Constructive Language and Spiritual Techniques 53 7. Knowledge by Identity 60 Part III The Dualistic Mystical State 70 8. Silence, Thinking, and Cutting Carrots: Characterizing an Advanced Mystical Slate 71 9. The Janus-Faced Soul: An Epistemology of The Dualistic Mystical State 82 10. Concluding Remarks 90 Notes 92 Chapter 1 92 Chapter 2 94 Chapter 3 95 Chapter 4 96 Chapter 5 99 Chapter 6 100 Chapter 7 101 Ckapfer 8 103 Chapter 9 104 Bibliography 106 Index 111 Back Cover 114 0791441695,9780791441695,0791441709,9780791441701 SUNY Press Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness focuses on first-hand accounts of two distinct types of mystical experiences. Through examination of texts, recorded interviews, and courageous autobiographical experiences, the author describes not only the well-known "pure consciousness event" but also a new, hitherto uncharted "dualistic mystical state." He provides a thorough and readable depiction of just what mysticism feels like. These accounts, and the experiences to which they give voice, arise from the heart of living practices and have substance and detail for beyond virtually any others in the literature.