tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448657.post2303199151748058026..comments2023-09-30T08:07:26.165-04:00Comments on Mystical Politics: Mysticism at the SBLRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17626228106192215280noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448657.post-36532757820354584112009-12-05T22:34:11.369-05:002009-12-05T22:34:11.369-05:00Whatever kind of mysticism is discussed, it will, ...Whatever kind of mysticism is discussed, it will, one day, be recognized that the whole question of mysticism is no mystery at all. The so-called mystical experience, which is the onset of the mystical state, occurs if and when one undertakes the analysis of familiar things, obvious things, things already known and things we have taken for granted and subsequently ignore. This is no new concept. A number of prominent names stress the importance of analyzing things already known. As a foundation we can include Alfred North Whitehead who wrote in his book titled Science and the Modern World the following words: "Familiar things happen and mankind does not bother about them. It requires a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious." Joining Whitehead in stating the importance of analyzing known things is Shaw, Gibran, Koestler, Hegel, Huxley and Heraclitus. The basis to do so is overwhelmingly convincing. Why? Because when young we learn things that we understandably and naturally take for granted and subsequently ignore. We fail to see that insights can be gained by looking at things we have learned and know. What is an example? Benjamin Franklin, like countless others before him, saw lighting in the sky. He however gained some kind of sudden insight to consider that this force might be harnessed. In time, electricity was born. This holds true in the realm of consciousness and mysticism. As very young children we of course learn a great many things. These things are taken for granted and soon ignored. If we take the time to go back and analyze them, insights can and will be gained. Science and religion, we discover, are not antagonists. Science asks questions and religion provides faith. It is here where applied faith triggers insight. It is here where the mystical can and will occur. With the basis, evidence and logic provided, one can analyze his thoughts and his thinking which in time will be seen for what they are.... Jesus looked for temptations, and found them. Buddha looked for attachments and found them. Hindu mystics look for cravings and they find them. Whitehead was right in suggesting that "It requires a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious." With the basis, evidence and logic provided, we can see that it is no longer an intellectual question. It becomes one of science and faith. It is for us to ask questions about things already known and maintain faith that in time through analysis and patience ... mystical insight will be triggered.Emmanuel J. Karavousanoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18046934647677701121noreply@blogger.com