Mysticism After Modernity

Mysticism After Modernity offers a truly postmodern interpretation of the great mystics and their writing, thus appealing to readers across a wide range of disciplines. Don Cuppitt argues that extensive modern literature about mysticism has rested on a mistake–the belief that their can be meaningful experience prior to language. The mystics have been perceived as first having had profound experiences that they then put into words. However, in postmodern thought experience doesnot give meaning to language; on the contrary, language gives meaning to experience. And when the mystics are seen as having been primarily writers, our understanding of them is revolutionized.

Introduction: The Mysticism of Secondariness. 1. The Modern Construction of Mysticism and Religious Experience. 2. Theories of Mysticism in Modernity. 3. Dogmatic Theology is an Ideology of Absolute Spiritual Power. 4. Mysticism is a Kind of Writing. 5. How Mystical Writing Produces Religious Happiness. 6. The Politics of Mysticism. 7. Mystical Writing was the Forerunner of Deconstruction and Radical Theology. 8. Meltdown. 9. Happiness. 10. Eternity. Notes. Select Bibliography.

Don Cuppitt was, for over 25 years, dean of Emmanuel College Cambridge. He has become known for his many controversial books and television programs, including The Sea of Faith. He has recently retired in order study and write full time.

‘In an era where many decry the death of certainties in our postmodern situation, Cuppitt shows how the mystic teach us to embrace the freedom and likeness of that very situation. The book offers a refreshing freeing of vision to our age of doubt. It is a fine contribution.’ Robert K. Forman, Hunter College "A lucid and stimulating argument for ways to understand mysticism in the postmodern world. Mysticism After Modernity should prove invaluable to those concerned about the relevance and ongoing survival of the mystical tradition." Carl McColman, Mystic–L <!––end––>"Postmodernists are likely to find this enjoyable reading....this is a challenging little book that deserves to be explored by students of mysticism and religious experience" George Adams, Susquehanna University "The central theme of this book is the claim that the writings of the classical mystics are misunderstood when they are treated (as they are even by Derrida) as qualified versions of an orthodox metaphysical theism." Maurice Wiles, Oxford