This is not just another book; so much as a new way of seeing the world and our way of being in it. Groundbreaking; and profoundly optimistic; this is the only book to investigate how mysticism can inspire cultural and political renewal. At heart; _The Mystical State_ looks toward the future; toward what is possible on the other side of the difficult times that confront us; and how we can envision and encourage cultural emergence. In _The Mystical State_; Arthur Versluis delves into the origins of modernity and what led to the crises of our time. But he also looks to the future; and in particular; to how spirituality can inform cultural and political life in new and illuminating ways. "Arthur Versluis’s _The Mystical State: Politics; Gnosis and Emergent Cultures_; asks a question long overdue in the study of mysticism: what are the political implications of direct mystical experience and thinking? His analysis ranges freely over both ancient and modern thought and experience. His focus on Western thought; ancient and modern; is a welcome respite from the tendency to focus on Eastern meditation and philosophy among scholars of mysticism. His exploration of the marginalized is especially important. And by focusing on “the road not taken†when Gnosticism was repudiated long ago; he dares to imagine what a new culture and state that’s centered on the mystical might look like: the end of gigantism; the re-framing of life and value; and a form of political authority centered in value. It is a courageous and thought provoking book; and should open the door to a series of questions important in our struggling world." ―Robert K. C. Forman; author of _Mysticism; Mind; Consciousness_ and numerous other books on mysticism. “It's simply amazing! Each page is a feast to both my mind and soul!†―Miguel Conner; editor of _Voices of Gnosticism_ “A wonderful book . . . fascinating! I highly recommend that people buy it and read it as soon as possible. I can’t say enough about it.†―William Kennedy; Sphinx Radio Praise for Other Works by Arthur Versluis: "At a time when the religions of the world are meeting on a spiritual level and in a global context; it is crucial that the Christian West rediscover its often forgotten inner or esoteric wisdom. Arthur Versluis skillfully guides the reader to recover the wide range of this rich heritage." ―Ewart Cousins; general editor; _World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest_ "A collection of very precious clues to the sources of the Western spiritual tradition; pointing to the hidden currents both in history and in our own selves." ―Jacob Needleman; author of _The American Soul_ and _The Heart of Philosophy_
#826816 in Books Hans Peter Hasenfratz 2011-06-23 2011-06-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .30 x 6.00l; .55 #File Name: 1594774218176 pagesBarbarian Rites The Spiritual World of the Vikings and the Germanic Tribes
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent research into customs and ritesBy Ron SpolarInformation on the ancient Germanic tribes is available on the internet and in a few books. Information concerning the customs; social classes; rituals; various rites; how fate was seen; types of magic including runic; are difficult to find without being hidden in texts describing wars; battles; deities; the Roman influence and mythology. He is a linguist and therefore driven to explain every concept with linguistic comparisons to the different northern languages: Germanic; Iranian and Indian. That is the worst of it but he is not consumed by his interest. My original focus was for information concerning any credible documentation on how the practice of runic divination evolved separate from runes as an alphabet. I received more credible and archeological related information on runic magic and divination in this book than I have found on the internet or in many books on runes. Most are full of myth and speculative logic but few facts. I highly recommend this book for those in search of how our Germanic ancestors saw the world; their behavior; what they believed in; how they worshiped; their social strata; magic practiced; their rites and their customs. All information is referenced to historical sources; authors; and archeology. Very little speculation.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. After "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer Adler; the most important book I've ever read.By Chris RushlauWhat we call The West (England; France; Germany; and Scandinavia; plus Spain and Italy when they're behaving properly) are the remains of Germanic kingdoms whose progenitors swarmed out of Asia a couple of thousand years ago. (Italy and Spain got raided serially by various Germanic tribes like Goths; Vandals; Lombards; and Burgundians.) Then the North Germanic branch returned the favor by raiding down across Asia west of the Ural Mts. and set up the Kingdom of Rus; Russia; whose founding father was Rurik the Viking.So what made Germanics tick; and what does all this have to do with today?In a 120 pages of well-written academical prose (not a contradiction in terms as professors in the US would like you to believe); Dr. Hasenfratz introduces you to what you always dimly knew; neatly translated into English by a guy who cares. You know what Odin's name means? That's Odin; chief Norse god?Oh; I forgot to raise the salient (bulging) point: what does that say about the American Dream?Let me mention what I said to a history professor in his seminar at Carleton who'd grown up in Germany; which made him get red in the face but he then gave me the highest course grade I ever got there: "if you take away his Bible and his law-book; every German is a Nazi."Read the book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great gift for any one interested in Asatru or Heathenry!By David Evan den BoerGreat way to explore the rituals of the northern european people and for those interested in learning more about what goes on it the life of a heathen!
