Confucianism and Taoism are two similar philosophies or religions mainly found in China. They also have a history of teachings about the "self" and overcoming this entity in order to realize a greater union with reality.
Category: philosophy
Are Mystics Atheists?
"Some types of mystical religion come close to atheism in their understanding of God as unimaginable."
The Passing Away of Ego-Self in Islam
In Sufism, which is the mystical approach to God within Islam, an "inward dimension of Islam," there are many teachings about the path of sacrificing and transcending the "self."
The Falling Away of Ego Consciousness in Hinduism and Buddhism
In this post I'll discuss how the falling away of ego-self consciousness is present in the traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Only God Can See God
Whenever someone has been graced to perceive the Ultimate, the Highest, the One, it is because their consciousness has been transfigured into that of God's consciousness, such that they look out through God's eyes onto God.
The Book of Mormon as Literary Alchemy: Joseph’s Magnum Opus and the Philosopher’s Stone
Joseph Smith's activity in bringing forth the Book of Mormon can be viewed as a project of alchemy, which was influenced by his affiliation with treasure digging, the folk magic worldview, the Hermetic tradition,1 as well as his many mystical spiritual experiences. I suggest he initially sought to bring the “gold plates” of his visions into material reality, and in the process discovered the true “gold” was within himself, the elusive Philosopher’s Stone.
Excerpts from Symeon’s Discourse on the “Mystical Resurrection of Christ”
The following are excerpts from a discourse given by the Byzantine Christian monk and poet, Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022 AD), to the monks of the Monastery of St. Mamas.
Einstein’s Misquote on the Illusion of Feeling Separate from the Whole
This morning I came across a quote in an excellent essay by Daniel Christian Wahl, frequently attributed to the renowned modern theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. Wahl did not misquote him, but it seems to be often misquoted when cited in full.
Video: Harvard Buddhist Psychologist on the Constructed “Self”
I thought this short video was a beautiful summary and illustration of Buddhist philosophy from Dr. Daniel Brown, a Harvard Psychologist and Tibetan Buddhism scholar. I believe this philosophy may similarly be found in most of the world's religions, framed in a multitude of different symbols. This is perennial wisdom.
Mystical Experience is Christianity’s Savior
Until we can get back to direct primary first-hand personal intimate contemplative mystical ecstatic experience of God in the lives of each and every human being, then God will increasingly become an abstract distant concept instead of a Living immanent reality.