Review of Mysticism by Simon Critchley

Last updated on: January 20, 2025 at 11:57 pm by Tony Mierzwicki

Review of Mysticism by Simon Critchley 2025-01-20T23:57:52-08:00 Tony Mierzwicki

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Philosopher Simon Critchley’s Mysticism is an intriguing text. It’s a solid and accessible introduction to mysticism written by a distinguished academic, the Hans Jonas Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research in New York. At the same time, however, it is a practical text exhorting readers to have their own practical experiences. Most academics seem to be comfortable studying from afar and so it is very refreshing to have Professor Critchley actually engaging in practical mysticism – his enthusiasm is palpable throughout.

Starting with Evelyn Underhill’s definition of mysticism as “experience in its most intense form,” Professor Critchley offers an escape from the banality of everyday life:

“… wouldn’t you like to have a taste of this intensity? Wouldn’t you like to be lifted up and out of yourself into a sheer feeling of aliveness, both your life and those of the creatures that surround you? If so, it might be well worthwhile trying to learn what is meant by mysticism and how it can shift, elevate, and deepen the sense of our lives.”

Mysticism pushes outside the self towards something vaster, more vibrant, more joyous to a realm beyond effective religious practice. This realm can be experienced through poetry, sexuality and music. It involves surrender and submission, giving up all desire for control over oneself and others. Such a path requires courage as it necessitates vulnerability and exposure.

Mysticism provides relief from “misery, from melancholy, from heaviness of soul, from the slough of despond, from mental leadenness” which stem from the feeling “that we’re all lost, we’re all lonely, we all find it difficult to believe in anything, to commit to anything, to live in a way that feels truly alive. In short, we inhabit a world of woe.”

The aim is to break free of mundane existence into an ecstatic realm. Professor Critchley explains that “This book tries to describe a countermovement. A movement not from doubt to lovelessness, but from dereliction to delight, from woe to weal. Pushing ourselves aside, ascending up and outside ourselves, we will try to find something else, some kind of joy, some kind of liberation and elevation, a sense that, despite everything, all shall be well.”

Throughout the book, Professor Critchley stands on the shoulders of giants. He introduces 16 mystics and their approaches – Dionysius (circa 500), Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153), Christina of Markyate (circa 1096–1155), Christina the Astonishing (1150–1224), Hadewijch of Antwerp (1200–1260), Mechthild of Magdeburg (1208–1282), Angela of Foligno (1250–1309), Marguerite Porete (1250–1310), Meister Eckhart (1260–1328), Henry Suso (1295–1366), Richard Rolle (1300–1349), Julian of Norwich (1342–1416), Margery Kempe (1373–1438), Teresa of Avila (1515–1582), Marie of the Incarnation (1599–1672), and Madame Guyon (1648–1717).

The mysticism covered in this book stems largely from Medieval Christianity, particularly monasticism. However, while the focus is primarily Christian, the book transcends this apparent limitation and has valuable lessons for non-Christians as well. The goal of union with God ties in with the aim of a divine union in theurgy.

Mysticism is an experiential journey through the ineffable aspects of existence that transcends cultures and beliefs leading to transformation and an experience of God:

“The mystical life is often expressed as a journey, an itinerary, that takes us from a condition of dereliction and woe to a state of weal and even deification, becoming God-like . It offers a path from sin to salvation, from restlessness to rest, from misery to joy. It is a form of elevation or healing that does not have to culminate in union with the divine, but which is intensely focused on the presence of God as experienced by the consciousness of the mystic.”

For those who share my passion for the Greek deities there are some interesting parallels between mysticism and their myths. The journey to mystical experience ties in with the descent into the underworld [katabasis] undertaken by Orpheus, Persephone and Herakles. The experience of ecstatic states ties in with the Bacchanalia festival of Dionysos. There were journeys undertaken by a number of Greek heroes who, faced with insurmountable odds, sought assistance from the deities, illustrating the persistent human desire to connect with something greater than oneself. A knowledge of mysticism reveals shades of meaning in ancient myths which might otherwise be missed.

Professor Critchley has a gift for conveying complex philosophical ideas in an easy to understand manner for those not versed in philosophy. Those readers who decide to join him on the journey to mystical experience will find themselves in capable hands. To quote Julian of Norwich,

“All shall be well”

Tony Mierzwicki

Author of Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today and Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday Empowerment.

https://www.amazon.com/Hellenismos-Practicing-Greek-Polytheism-Today/dp/0738725935

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1905713037/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

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