Simon Critchley & James Butler: On Mysticism

In 'Mysticism,' Simon Critchley delves into the history and practice of mysticism, from its origins in Eastern and Western religions to its association with esoteric and occult knowledge, and up to the ecstatic modernism of figures like T.S. Eliot. Critchley discusses the lives of famous mystics such as Julian of Norwich and Jesus Christ, highlighting how mystical experiences can refresh our thinking and help us live deeper and freer lives. The book argues that mysticism can be an aesthetic experience, inspired by art, poetry, and music, and is not limited to religious contexts. Critchley's work is erudite and impassioned, speaking to a yearning for personal transformation and enchantment[1][2][3].

Four Quartets is a cycle of four poems by T.S. Eliot, each titled with a place name: 'Burnt Norton,' 'East Coker,' 'The Dry Salvages,' and 'Little Gidding.' The poems are meditations on time, redemption, and eternity, blending Eliot's Anglo-Catholicism with mystical, philosophical, and poetic elements from various traditions. Each quartet has five sections and explores themes such as the conflict between individual mortality and the endless span of human existence, the nature of spirituality, and the relationship between the present and the past. The work is considered Eliot's masterpiece and his clearest exposition of his Christian beliefs[2][4][5].