Mysticism: East and West

by Rudolf Otto

1932. A comparative analysis of the nature of mysticism. This book attempts to penetrate the nature of the phenomena of mysticism by comparing the two principle classic types of Eastern and Western mystical experience. A sample of the contents is as similarity in metaphysical speculation; the way of knowledge; creature and Maya; differentiation of mystical experiences in general, developed by means of Indian example; Gothic man; mysticism and ethics. Appendices contain discussion relative to Fichte, Schleiermacher, Kant, Luther and others.

Genres: Mysticism, Philosophy, Spirituality, Christianity, Religion

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

German theologian, philosopher, and historian of religion, who exerted worldwide influence through his investigation of man’s experience of the holy. Das Heilige (1917; The Idea of the Holy, 1923) is his most important work.

Reviews

[Seekers of Unity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine work from a fine scholar (author of Das Helige, The Idea of the Holy). He compares and contrasts Meister Eckhart and Shankara (Advita Vidanta) here and does a beautiful job. I particularly benefited from his comparison of the God and Godhead with Ishvara and Brahamn. Not an easy read.

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[Jack Stocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice comparison of mystical traditions found in Western Europe and in India, with a specific focus on the surprising convergence in philosophy of Meister Eckhart and Adi Shankara.
It is quite informative and even rather entertaining to read side-by-side translations that showcase the identity in both language and content of the two masters’ teaching. Otto also does a good job of demonstrating the full spectrum of diversity in the mystical practice even when there is great formal similarity– the devil really is in the details. I feel Otto gives a good faith effort at representing all practices fairly, but it is pretty clear where some of his biases lie regarding the efficacy or purity of certain breeds of mysticism.
I will have to revisit after reading more thoroughly through the intimidating roster of theologians, philosophers, and poets Otto cites.

[Mate Saralishvili · Rating 5 out of 5]

„ჩვენ ვამტკიცებთ, რომ მისტიციზმში, ფაქტობრივად, აღიძვრებიან ადამიანური სულის მძლავრი პირველ-მოტივები, რომლებიც, როგორც ასეთნი, სავსებით გულგრილნი არიან კლიმატურ, დედამიწის მხარეებისეულ, ანდა რასობრივ განსხვავებებთან მიმართებაში და რომლებიც თავიანთ თანხმობაში ქმნიან ადამიანური სულისა და გამოცდილების-სახის შინაგან ნათესაობას, რაც ჭეშმარიტად საოცარია.“

"Wir behaupten, daß in der Mystik sich in der Tat gewaltige Urmotive der menschlichen Seele erregen, die als solche ganz gleichgültig sind gegen die Unterschiede des Klimas, der Weltgegend oder der Rasse, und die in ihrer Übereinstimmung eine innerliche Verwandtschaft der menschliches Geistes - und Erlebensart aufweisen, die wahrhaft erstaunlich ist."