Mysticism and Its Complexities

Mysticism is a modern word, as Simon Critchley discusses in his tremendous new book, On Mysticism. And its novelty is not a happy intervention in the history of mystics and their significance, Fundamental aspects of the insights pursued by figures such as Mother Julian and Meister Eckhart are obscured by the focus on peak or exceptional experiences. Our discussion seeks to gain a sense of recovery.

We dwell on Mother Julian, in particular, and her idea about sin and suffering, weal and woe, and what she really meant by all shall be well.

We think about the role of surrender in psychotherapy, writing and music, and the role of what Simone Weil called “decreation”.

We ask about how philosophy might move on from “bloodless critique” to “watering flowers”.

I think On Mysticism is a great book. It manifests the attention that it advocates and the revelations that come with active waiting.

For more on Simon’s book see - https://profilebooks.com/work/on-mysticism/

For more on my forthcoming book on William Blake see - https://www.markvernon.com/books/awake-william-blake-and-the-power-of-the-imagination 

0:00 What is mysticism, what is it not?
12:02 The role of experience in mysticism
23:49 Mother Julian on hazelnuts
35:57 Mysticism and psychotherapy
41:09 Mother Julian’s truly radical theology
45:58 Universalism and the mystical way
57:40 Selfhood and surrender
01:12:57 Socrates the mystic and modern philosophy