Mysticism is an element of religion or spirituality which emphasizes direct apprehension of the divine, whether the divine is understood from a theistic or non-theistic perspective. The author argues that such "mystical" experiences can be gained through the practice of specialized techniques of spiritual transformation, techniques which have been passed down through the ages by Traditions of Masters (or "Holy Traditions"). These esoteric traditions are made up of masters and students, who share secret doctrines and rituals; and they can be found in cultures from the Upper Paleolithic Period through the present. The Global Mystical Tradition studies these traditions, their mystical experiences, and practices, from a global syncretistic perspective, noting similarities and in some cases interaction between the "Holy Traditions" of different cultures.
Bruce Stephen Naschak is coordinator/chair of the Humanities and Religious Studies Program at San Diego Mesa College.
Introduction Chapter 1: Shamanism Chapter 2: Hinduism Chapter 3: Buddhism Chapter 4: Daoism Chapter 5: Egypt Chapter 6: Greece Chapter 7: Judaism Chapter 8: Christianity Chapter 9: Islam Conclusion Bibliography Index About the Author
Professor Naschak illuminates numerous strands of the world's esoteric traditions in The Global Mystical Tradition. He skillfully turns and twists through sacred paths to examine all angles of each one, while in the process weaving together stronger cords that serve to reinforce his central argument that by exploring these mystical traditions one can unveil hidden interrelationships. Climbing the cable created from this interweaving allows the reader to ascend to greater heights, ultimately, approaching the divine with both a solid guide and support. This text is a valuable addition to the personal libraries of anyone interested in comparative religious studies, mysticism, or mythology. -- Darren Iammarino, Ph.D. author of Religion and Reality The Global Mystical Traditions, by Bruce Naschak, is the latest example of exploring the esoteric heart of religious traditions across cultures by suspending the dominant social, institutional, and organizational parameters. While introductory and highly accessible, the book makes a strong case for reading the sacred for the sake of discovering the sacred and re-visiting religions in the footsteps of William James, Ninian Smart, Mircia Eliade, or R. C. Zaehner. Encyclopedic in nature, the book makes smooth transitions across traditions in excavating what each examined culture found in their own core of beliefs, and in so doing, the book stays focused on exploring and analyzing their essential texts, introducing central figures from history, and relating one tradition to others in the web of world culture. Bruce Naschak has successfully mastered this ambitious project of addressing mystical traditions across cultures and is a must read for those who are interested in exploring the connecting thread across different mystical traditions. -- Sthaneshwar Timalsina, San Diego State University
