On Mysticism

The Experience of Ecstasy

By: Simon Critchley

Narrated by: Simon Critchley

Mysticism is about existential ecstasy—an experience of heightening one's senses and self into a sheer feeling of aliveness. Mystical experiences offer us a practical way to open our thoughts and deepen the sense of our lives, whether through a mainstream connection to God or by taking part in mind-altering experiences.

Here, Simon Critchley explores the history and practice of mysticism, from its origins in Eastern and Western religion, through its association with esoteric and occult knowledge, and up to the ecstatic modernism of T.S. Eliot and others. Through a discussion of the lives of famous mystics, like Julian of Norwich and Jesus Christ, Critchley reveals how embracing the spectrum of mystical experience can refresh our thinking and help us live deeper and freer lives.

Philosophical and playful, analytical and inventive, On Mysticism is a definitive account of humanity's quest to understand the divine, and a call to thinkers everywhere to broaden our minds to life larger than our selves.

©2024 Simon Critchley (P)2024 Profile Books Ltd

Great book!

I really appreciated listening this book. As an artist I identify as anarcho mystic, so the themes in this book resonate strongly. Old favorites, like st. Teresa, Meister Eckhart, William James and Eugene Tucker, but also new voices like Annie Dillard and really want to dive deeper in TS Elliot and Julian of Norwich. I love that author integrated music, especially punk :) into the discussion continuing tradition of Nietzsche s birth of tradegy and few other contemporary philosopher (love tuckers take on black metal). Easy and joyful listen.

Thank you Dr. Critchley

This is an amazing book. Western philosophy is predominantly hostile and condescending towards religion and mysticism. Critchley is a compassionate and astute observer of the power and value of mysticism for our fraught era. Thank you Dr. Critchley

Author is obviously a teacher of philosophy

The information was good, well presented and thoughtful. The author’s confessions surrounding his own conversion and hisbelief in the supremacy of music as a vehicle to the mystical were not a surprise. Imho the book would have been better if it were less a lecture than a conversation-but given hos job, understandable.