MYSTICISM – The Varieties of Religious Experience
Mystical conditions may, therefore, render the soul more energetic in the lines which their inspiration favors. But this could be reckoned an advantage only in case the inspiration were a true one. If the inspiration were erroneous, the energy would be all the more mistaken and misbegotten.
PHILOSOPHY – The Varieties of Religious Experience
I do believe that feeling is the deeper source of religion, and that philosophic and theological formulas are secondary products, like translations of a text into another tongue. But all such statements are misleading from their brevity, and it will take the whole hour for me to explain to you exactly what I mean.
Varieties of Religious Experience – William James
The course is not anthropological, but deals with personal documents. Percepts versus abstract concepts-Happiness is man’s chief concern-Healthy-mindedness and repentance- Heterogeneous personality- Sudden conversion- Testing human value of its fruits- Mysticism defined- Primacy of feeling in religion- Philosophy a secondary function- Aesthetic elements in religion- Summary of religious characteristics
Select Reading
From time to time I will make complete books available. I tend to grab out of copyright material, often from the free book texts at https://www.gutenberg.org/. I find that handling the texts helps me to review the books.
Table of Content – THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Brother Lawrence, Nicholas Herman, God’s Presence, Father, Joyful, The Practice of the Presence of God, God, Monastic, Mystic, David Reese, Thoughts of God, ThoughtsofGod.com, Lightheart, Letter, Letters, Conversation, Conversation
Fifteenth Letter – THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD – Brother Lawrence
Let us begin earnestly to be devoted to Him. Let us cast everything else out of our hearts. He wants to possess the heart alone. Beg this favor of Him. If we do all we can, we will soon see that change wrought in us which we so greatly desire.