Customer Reviews

Essential Mysticism

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As a remarkably approachable introduction to the mystical path, Essential Mysticism acquaints the reader with the core concepts, goals, and techniques of mysticism in the context of a simple and practical program designed to yield immediate results for the beginner as well as provide the more experienced practitioner with a path for spiritual exploration and enrichment. Leveraging his own considerable experience as a practicing mystic, and drawing upon the essential esoteric wisdom of the world's major spiritual traditions, T.Collins Logan beckons us continually forward on the mystic path -- always in the tone of a wise, yet humble teacher sharing his insights into the deeper meaning around us; never in a dogmatic or "preachy" way.

The first four chapters of the book cover the four core disciplines of mysticism:

* Discipline of Mind: Cultivating a New Way of Seeing

* Discipline of Heart: Refining Intentions

* Discipline of Spirit: Transforming Identity

* Discipline of Will: Harmonizing Action and Intention

The following learning aids can be found at the end of each of the first four chapters: perspectives on the chapter's topic by practitioners and experts from the world's major spiritual traditions, a table showing the chapter's "concept affinity" by naming the analagous concepts in the major spiritual traditions, and exercises that gradually build the student's skills of meditation and visualization. One of the key concepts presented is that of the "Golden Intention", or focusing one's spirit toward the betterment of the "good of All." Just what that means and how to manifest it through one's life and spiritual practice is appropriately left as an exercise for the reader to discover on his or her mystic journey.

Following this foundational material, the book's final three chapters and its appendix provide additional tools, exercises, and short discourses on spiritual topics related to mysticism. These include discussion of our "Stages of Being" as we travel along the mystic path, the "Nature of Evil" and ideas for how we might respond to it, and a chapter devoted to "Human Potential" describing the ways in which humanity is evolving, and how mystic practice can contribute to the betterment of that evolution.

Virtually all readers, whether skeptics or devotees of a religious or spiritual tradition, can gain mystical techniques for getting in touch with something larger than themselves, as well as practical wisdom for living happily, within the pages of Essential Mysticism.

This book is delicious. Every time I read it, its wisdom amazes me. I can read the book many times because every sentence has so much knowledge and compassion in it, it is like poetry. So, this might be a short book, but it is never slight! Instead, it is a helpful guide through and into mystical experiences. The book starts by acknowledging that people have mystical experiences. It doesn't stop there; it lets us know what we can do with these moments so that we can transform our lives -- if we want to. If we do, the book discusses four disciplines to practice: discipline of our minds, our hearts, our spirits, and our wills. The book offers different kinds of meditation to practice and discusses the ways we can integrate mystical experiences into our everyday lives. It also talks about the consequences of this choice. The book always takes this decision seriously, but it talks to its audience with great compassion. Reading it and practicing what it suggests is like having a loving teacher accompany me on my path. It has been endlessly helpful, whether I'm just starting on my path, struggling on it, or far along on it. Essential Mysticism is invaluable. I recommend it highly.

I've never read a book that so closely parallels my own thoughts, and has so practical an application. So many books about any subject close to this are very inaccessable and abstract, so hard to apply to one's own life. This, however, is very understandable. Thanks, T.

Essential Mysticism was the best and most approachable introduction to the broad practice of mystical awareness I have found. Outlining themes common to mystic religious traditions around the world, as well as the particular regional manifestations, the author brings perspective to the reader that helps make all the various experiences one might encounter along the way understandable and "ok". I have already given away a copy to a friend!

This book is delicious. Every time I have read it, its wisdom amazes me. I can read the book many times because every sentence has so much knowledge and compassion in it, it is like poetry. So, this might be a short book, but it is never slight. Instead, it is a helpful guide through and into mystical experiences. The book starts by acknowledging that people have mystical experiences. It doesn't stop there; it lets us know what we can do with these moments so that we can transform our lives -- if we want to. If we do, the book discusses four disciplines to practice: discipline of our minds, our hearts, our spirits, and our wills. The book offers different kinds of meditations to practice and discusses the ways we can integrate mystical experiences into our everyday lives. It also talks about the consequences of this choice. The book always takes this decision seriously, but it talks to its audience with great compasion. Reading it and practicing what it suggests is like having a loving teacher accompany me on my path. It has been endlessly helpful, whether I'm just starting on my path, struggling on it, or far along on it. Essential Mysticism is invaluable. I recommend it highly.