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What's New

www.mysticism.nl

All new editions will be sorted out by date

Nov 15 2009

The essay five mystical annotations by Raymond Sigrist is added to the Essay page

Sept 14 2009

The essay AQAL 2.0 by Oleg Linetsky is added to the Essay page

July 1 2009

The essay science and mysticism in the twentieth century by Joel Morwood is added to the Essay page

June 14 2009

An expanded version of the Wilber-Combs Lattice is finished.

May 26 2009

Are there any dangers in religion and spirituality? Some new thoughts about the dangerzones of religion.

December 7 2008

A new essay about polyamory, an English translation and the original Dutch text.

November 5 2008

Is mysticism a nihilism? Why call it a mysticism of Nothing?

April 12 2008

In religious rituals there is a mystical attractor at work, pulling the social system temporarily towards greater unity, as to overcome chaos and system instability. The anthropologist Victor Turner called this mystical attractor communitas. The functionality of communitas is here explained and exemplified, by showing how the attractor worked in structuring classical Greek ritual theatre. The original Dutch text of the dissertation is here.

November 6 2007

A new philosophical essay about esthetics and beauty on the Essay page.

February 5 2007

What is kundalini and what does it do? Hopefully this new article about Jana Dixon will make the difficult subject matter of kundalini a little bit more understandable. Many people are nowadays interested in this beautiful but mysterious phenomenon.

December 15 2006

The American historian and philosopher Francis Fukuyama wrote a book about the rise of democracy as the prevalent form of government all over the world. He described the homo democraticus as being 'the last man' in history. But is the democrat of today really 'the last man' ?

Oktober 30 2006

On the Philosophers page a critical essay is posted about the American author Steven Harrison. It discusses the need of employing spiritual techniques.

September 21 2006

Can we be confident that something will remain when all is lost in our lives? What is the nature of this 'something'? A new essay on the Essay page.

August 20 2006

St. John-of-the-Cross was honest enough to tell us that the road to unification with God was not an easy one. The mystic has some deep Dark Nights to endure as he comes closer to God.

June 1 2006

In postmodern philosophy we find much praise of mysticism. But there is an uneasiness also. Georges Bataille has phrased this uneasiness very eloquently.

May 10 2006

Most people acknowledge the fact that there is evolution in the world of biology. But some philosophers and mystics believe that the whole kosmos in all of its levels is propelled by evolution. Sri Aurobindo was one of them.

April 24 2006

Friedrich Nietzsche is known to most people as the philosopher who declared God dead. But does that make him an irreligious or unspiritual philosopher? More on the Philosophers page.

March 6 2006

Yogananda believed that spirituality can produce wonders and miracles. What exactly are the wonders of spirituality?

January 2 2006

Do men and women have a different approach in their spirituality? A new essay about male and female spirituality.

December 8 2005

Emmanuel Levinas is considered to be a spiritual philosopher. Are there any connections with mysticism? A new article on the Philosophers Page.

November 9 2005

Can life be totally, spiritually fulfilling within a sexual relationship? This is the question spiritual seekers ask themselves the most. An answer on the Essay Page.

October 23 2005

Aldous Huxley was a man of true intellectual genius. He wanted to understand. Out of this drive and need for understanding he eventually became a mystic. For a man of true intelligence eventually raises the question 'what is it, by knowing which everything is known?'

October 6 2005

On the Essay Page the basics of Buddhism are discussed in the Four Noble Truths of the Buddha and the successive Eightfold Path.

September 20 2005

Not restricted to one particular religious tradition or cult, Andrew Cohen is doing his utmost to promote enlightenment and spirituality around the world. He speaks to you as an individual, not as a Christian, Hindu or Buddhist, and his only message is: you can also become enlightened if you want it.

September 8 2005

William James had a father who was a truly remarkable man. William, though himself not very religious, always spoke with admiration about the profound spirituality of his father. His father was his main source of inspiration, when he decided to write his classic 'the Variaties of the Religious Experience' (1902).

August 3 2005

Friedrich Nietzsche often spoke about 'Bejahung des Lebens': saying 'yes' to life. But he never really quite understood that only the religious person is able to embrace life to the full. A new essay on the Essay Page.

July 20 2005

Until now deity mysticism has been a bit neglected on this site. In the near future we will include some Christian mystics like Teresa of Avila or st. John-of -the Cross. We will start off with an analysis of an American contemporary mystic, Neale Donald Walsch.

July 10 2005

In collaboration with Raymond Sigrist of www.apophaticmysticism.com a page was finished about the Taoist mystic Chuang Tzu (or Zhuangzi). On the essay page an analysis is given of the Buddhistic sunyata or Emptiness.

June 14 2005

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche was one of the great pioneers of Buddhism in the West. He was one of the key figures in American spiritual life from the seventies onward. But why did he lead such a tragic life?

May 24 2005

Here is my small contribution to one of the greatest mystics ever alive, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh or Osho, as he will be remembered. His words fill the whole world with love and wonder. He was far too long absent from this site.

May 12 2005

What is enlightenment like? On the Essay page a personal and a more theoretical account of this mystical state of consciousness. You can also find it here.

April 18 2005

Work has finally been resumed after a couple of months, after a move from Arnhem to Amsterdam. I've started to give darshans in Amsterdam. You can check it out in Dutch or in English.

September 15 2004

There is much to do about the negative aspects of the Kundalini experience. We should not close our eyes for this more demanding part of our spirituality. But at the same time we must never forget that Kundalini is a gift of the god/Brahman. It can restore us again to our Pure State.

August 29 2004
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj was a Mount Everest in non-dual mysticism. Every sentence he has said and written makes the heart leap up with joy. A review of his mysticism on the Philosophers page.

August 13 2004

My compatriot Frits Staal of Berkeley University U.S. has written in 1975 the book 'Exploring Mysticism'. In the book he wants to show that mysticism can be studied rationally. There's a review on the Philosophers page.

August 2 2004

Finally a translation into English is available of the article about Erich Fromm. Fromm was immensely important in shaping our notions and understanding of freedom. This article is a tribute to this fine psychologist.

July 21 2004

In the service of psychotherapy an essay is posted about a mystical approach to psychotherapy. We feel that mysticism can be of great use in the mental health centra all over the world. Also on the Essay page a recent translation into English of on moral judgment.

July 3 2004

The Canadian spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle has written two beautiful books about spiritual therapy that deserve to be included in our survey on mystical writers. His thoughts about the Power of Now are very encouraging.

June 17 2004

Arthur Brown sent us his article about Kant and Mysticism. Questions are raised whether the philosophy of Kant has a mystical core. For comments and a discussion about the article go to this message at Integral Mysticism.

May 20 2004

Together with his life long friend Aldous Huxley Gerald Heard studied and practised mysticism. It led him to believe that we were heading for a brighter future for mankind. Heard's scintillant prose is always a source of inspiration for people who have a passion for thought.

There is also an interview with the editor of the Mystical Site posted on the Essay page, called some misunderstandings concerning religion.

April 24 2004

Etty Hillesum was a remarkable Jewish woman who kept a diary in war time Holland. In this very personal book we meet a woman who managed to find peace and inner strength, although she had the prospect of meeting a certain death in the gas chambers of Eastern Europe. At the brink of death she could write: 'It may seem incomprehensible to you, God, but I think life's beautiful. I feel so happy.' How did she come to this conclusion? Read all about Etty on the philosophers page.

April 14 2004

Ken Wilber has done a lot of work in getting spirituality, religion and mysticism accepted in the intellectual climate of the academia. His very intelligent books have won a wide acclaim all over the world. But Wilber's got enemies too: the postmodern philosophers who do not like his 'grandiose Big Story' of the Kosmos. Recently Jeff Meyerhoff wrote a book against Wilber's Integral Philosophy. Here you can find a review of Meyerhoff's arguments againt Wilber. On closer mystical scrutiny it seems that the arguments of Meyerhoff are not very convincing ....

March 27 2004

Finally the MS has got a domain of its own! Visit us from today at www.mysticism.nl

March 26 2004

Shelley Taylor of North Bay's Nipissing University Canada is completing a senior thesis about the religious mystical experience, comparing it to the profound aesthetic experience. She is looking for individuals who would be willing to take time and answer a brief, thirty-nine question survey.

Maybe you'd want to participate. More info at www.kenstange.com/taylor. Shelly would be most grateful.

Feb 28 2004

Modern religion and the modern philosophy of religion is greatly indebted to the work of Huston Smith. This 'grand old man' of religious studies is still going strong and is fighting his battle with scientism like he was still in his twenties. With brilliance and wit he challanges his opponents in science. A review of his recent book 'Why Religion Matters' on the Philosophers page.

For Dutch readers a new essay on moral judgement is posted on the Essay page.

Feb 12 2004

The Philosphers page has a little article about Ramana Maharshi. His name will be mentioned a lot here at the Mystical Site.

April 5 2003

An article about one of the greatest mystics in modern times is posted on the Philosophers page. Jiddu Krishnamurti did not proclaim himself to be a mystic, but he definitely was a great one. Here is the link also.

February 11 2003

St. Francis referred in a loving way to his body as 'brother Donkey'. He meant that the body can sometimes have its own way and be very stubborn. But we all know Francis' love for animals. The body is really our brother and can help us on our way. Therefore we must study the relationship between consciousness and our body. The body makes us see that consciousness and matter are inseparately connected. Here it is.

February 4 2003

Roberto Assagioli, the founder of psychosynthesis, was one of the first to incorporate mysticism and spirituality into the study of psychology. He has opened up the eyes of the Western academic world for the great insights of mysticism. Here you'll find his diagram of consciousness discussed, beside some critical remarks.

February 1 2003

Last Sunday Mendelssohn's 42d Psalm was performed by the Schola Davidica in the Janskerk in Utrecht. The first chorale 'wie der Hirsch schreit' inspired me to write a short bhakti. The image of a deer reaching out for clear, refreshing water is a beautiful symbol of the soul reaching out for the Self. You can find the bhakti here.

January 21 2003

What is the true religious person's view on sexuality? Is it a sin what's happening on the Internet? Can meditation and sexuality go together? Time for some debate about a hot topic! What? Porno on the Mystical Site?? Yep, here it is.

January 14 2003

The commentary on 'Light on the Path' by Mabel Collins is finally finished. These are some great mystical guidelines, that can be a comfort to us all.

January 2 2003

A happy new year to you all and may the Self give you happiness and fulfilment in the new year to come ! The recent year had its blessings and its pains. In November my father died. A second stroke proved fatal. The last years of his life I'd begun to love him dearly. The mourning was tough and painful, but it proved also to be a great lesson for me. To help everyone who has lost a dear one or who's afraid of dying, I've written a short piece about death. I hope it will be of some comfort to someone. It's on the Essay page.

December 26 2002

After a stop for nearly two years in which a lot has happened, work on the Mystical Site is finally resumed. I've studied a lot these two years and my meditations have deepened. I'll hope to give the site a new impetus. Especially the work on the philosophers page is taken all my time now. A new discussion on Escape from Freedom by Erich Fromm is almost finished. It will be posted on the MS in about a week.

May 7 2000

The essay about Watts is finished. It's mainly concerned with the problem of the separateness of modern man, as it was Watts' major concern to discuss this problem. The Alan Watts Foundation is thanked for supplying some material. A new essay about the Theosophic writer Mabel Collins is started. It's also on the Philosophers page.

April 11 2000

New contributions (this time out of the beautiful highlands of Scotland) have been placed on the Discussion page. On the Philosophers page you can find the start of a new essay about the English/American writer Alan Watts.

March 6 2000

A new millennium is already two months old. With your help the MS hopes to grow to great heights in the new century. We thank you for your suggestions and your contributions to this site in recent times. May the God in you shine with everlasting joy in the years to come.

The commentary on the Isha Upanishad is almost finished.

November 23 1999

One of the most beautiful and profound Upanishads is the Giotto: the Ascension Isha Upanishad. In brief words it gives us a deep understanding of mysticism. The commentary will take some weeks to finish, but it's a joy to write it, so you won't be disappointed. I will be giving reactions to all sorts of mystical and non-mystical texts in the future. You can also propose some if you have some favourites. Or better: write some commentaries yourself! I love to place them on this site. With your cooperation we will make the MS big!

September 25 1999

I'm planning to do some writing about the effects of mysticism. The greatest boon consist of the great love it offers. An essay about love on the essays page.

July 14 1999

If you are interested in meditation you can find on the front page the FAQ's reply. It's finished by now. If you want to comment or ask further personal questions, just let me know and I'll send you an answer. Meditation is a personal thing. It's best to discuss the ins and outs of it in a personal way.

July 5 1999

The Mysticism and Knowledge essay is finished by now. It's a modest apology for the reasonableness of mysticism. At the moment I'm writing some guidelines on the issue of meditation. Frequently I've been asked about the right way to practise it. So it was time for some FAQ's reply. You will find them on the front page as an introduction to mysticism.

May 29 1999

The Mystical Site was honoured this week with the Mythos and Logos award "for excellence in content and design in the categories of philosophy and spirituality". With proudness and gratefulness I humbly give thanks for this very unexpected token of appraisal. You can find the award on the front page. But an award must also be granted to the Ringmaster of the Mythos and Logos ring himself, Brent Dean Robbins, for collecting such beautiful sites in one ring and for all his work devoted to bringing these people together. Everyone known with the Ring is familiar with his very spiritual and thought inspiring mailings. Brent Dean, keep up the good work you are doing!

February 21 1999

In Spain I wrote a short poem in remembrance of a love I once had some nine years ago. It's on the essay page and it is called 'Waiting for my beloved'. In the short poem I'm comparing my love for her then with the love for the god I feel now. It's within the mystical tradition to compare the love of the soul for the god/Brahman with the love between the sexes. Especially the Spanish mystics wrote in that vein. So being in that beautiful country inspired me to do the same.

February 6 1999

The Eckhart essay is finished by now. You can find it on the philosophers page. Work will now be devoted to the Mysticism and Knowledge essay. Maybe the churches of Barcelona will give me some inspiration in this respect (next week I'm going on a short vacation to do some writing in Spain).

January 22 1999

Work on the Eckhart essay is being continued. There is also a new essay started with the title Mysticism and Knowledge. It serves as a mystic answer to criticism by Ayn Rand.

On the discussion page an entry is opened by Marlee O'Neal Web Master of the Winged Heart Ring concerning the after life.

January 8 1999

The Mystical Site wishes all its visitors a happy and spiritual New Year! Just another year before the New Millennium starts. May all the world religions unite in this new epoch and sing the praises of the One God, who is beyond names. Please keep sending me your messages that I may address you more personal in my New Years wishes to you. For every soul is an individual instance of the glory of Brahman and must be spoken to individually.

There is a new addition on the essay page: a bhakti on the eternal Odyssey of the Mystical Soul.

October 16 1998

Unfortunately there haven't been any additions for a couple of months now. Work on the site has stopped since August, due to my moving from Amsterdam to Arnhem (on the river Rhine in the Eastern part of the Netherlands) and taking up a new employment over there. All these changes take a lot of energy, so my spiritual life did not get the attention it actually deserved. But by now I Giotto: Madonna with Child have become a little accustomed to the new circumstances and again do I feel room for contemplation and philosophy. So here are the new plans: on the essay page there will be a new chapter devoted to prayers and bhakti's, to give a personal and emotional response to the mystical feelings I want to share with you. You can replace the word Brahman by 'God' if you are a Christian or by 'Allah' if you are a Muslim. Even the agnostic humanist can read these prayers and appreciate them, if he will understand that the prayers are nothing more than a poetical response to the great wonders of life. The focus of my love and wonder I call Brahman, but that does not mean that I have clear conceptions about it. It surely isn't a person, but who can tell what It is? It's the great mystery, because there is nothing in my whole life that I know better than this Brahman, but the paradox is that I can not say anything about it that makes sense. So forget about the question who or what Brahman is and maybe you'll appreciate the poetry in it.

I'll continue also writing the essay on Meister Eckhart and maybe get it finished by the end of October. Check in now and then to see if it's ready. Maybe there are some Eckhart readers out there 'in Cyberspace' who can help me with the essay. Your suggestions will be most helpful.

July 26 1998

On the front page there is now 'an introduction into mysticism' added for people who are studying this subject for the first time. You can start here if you want to know what this site is all about. It isn't finished yet.

July 18 1998

The article on Sri Ramakrishna is finished. You can find it on the philosophers page. The next thing to be added is a study on the mystical sayings of Meister Eckhart. Also keep in touch for the next essay on the essays page called 'avoiding the name God'. I think you want to comment on it.

July 13 1998

A new essay is placed with the title 'forgiveness'. It is the result of a request made by Piers Clement to send in a contribution for his forum at his home page 'Your Path to Transition'.

July 11 1998

The essay on Schopenhauer is finished. I'll hope it is to the interest of some Schopenhauer readers. Though the tone is critical, I hope the essay offers also some words of approval. I've started with an article discussing the parallels between Jesus Christ and the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. There are also more essays on various topics to come on the essay page. Stay in touch for more additions and keep on sending your critical notes. They have been most helpful.

July 6 1998

The essay 'the Mystical Life' is finished by now. It describes the three stages of the mystical method. The discussion page has a new entry from Emiel Labree.

June 1 1998

The discussion page is opened with a contribution from Clemens van Brunschot. His 10 points are thought inspiring. You are invited to give your reaction. In a couple of weeks I will present some sort of a 'mystic credo' as an answer.

May 15 1998

I have started on the philosophers page with an essay on Schopenhauer, which will take some time to finish. I want to underline the mystical elements in his philosophy. Although not a confessed mystic by profession, Schopenhauer had learned a lot from the mystical writings of India. In the essay I will hope to show that these writings had a profound effect on his philosophy. But I will also show that there is a profound difference between the Schopenhaurian world view and the philosophy of mysticism.

There is also a new essay on the mystical life. In it is shown why the mystics of the world choose for the way they live. It isn't finished yet.

May 1 1998

The beginning of a critical essay on Madame Blavatsky is opened. Although I share some views with the Theosophical Movement, the essay (and also this site) is not within their tradition.

April 25 1998

The discussion page and the philosophers page are opened.

April 13 1998

There are new essays placed. One about asmita and one about the god/Brahman which isn't finished yet.