The Mystical State: Politics, Gnosis, and Emergent Cultures

by Arthur Versluis

This is not just another book, so much as a new way of seeing the world and our way of being in it. Groundbreaking, and profoundly optimistic, this is the only book to investigate how mysticism can inspire cultural and political renewal. At heart, _The Mystical State_ looks toward the future, toward what is possible on the other side of the difficult times that confront us, and how we can envision and encourage cultural emergence. In _The Mystical State_, Arthur Versluis delves into the origins of modernity and what led to the crises of our time. But he also looks to the future, and in particular, to how spirituality can inform cultural and political life in new and illuminating ways. "Arthur Versluis's _The Mystical Politics, Gnosis and Emergent Cultures_, asks a question long overdue in the study of what are the political implications of direct mystical experience and thinking? His analysis ranges freely over both ancient and modern thought and experience. His focus on Western thought, ancient and modern, is a welcome respite from the tendency to focus on Eastern meditation and philosophy among scholars of mysticism. His exploration of the marginalized is especially important. And by focusing on "the road not taken" when Gnosticism was repudiated long ago, he dares to imagine what a new culture and state that's centered on the mystical might look the end of gigantism, the re-framing of life and value, and a form of political authority centered in value. It is a courageous and thought provoking book, and should open the door to a series of questions important in our struggling world." --Robert K. C. Forman, author of _Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness_ and numerous other books on mysticism. "It's simply amazing! Each page is a feast to both my mind and soul!" --Miguel Conner, editor of _Voices of Gnosticism_ "A wonderful book . . . fascinating! I highly recommend that people buy it and read it as soon as possible. I can't say enough about it." --William Kennedy, Sphinx Radio Praise for Other Works by Arthur "At a time when the religions of the world are meeting on a spiritual level and in a global context, it is crucial that the Christian West rediscover its often forgotten inner or esoteric wisdom. Arthur Versluis skillfully guides the reader to recover the wide range of this rich heritage." --Ewart Cousins, general editor, _World An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest_ "A collection of very precious clues to the sources of the Western spiritual tradition, pointing to the hidden currents both in history and in our own selves." --Jacob Needleman, author of _The American Soul_ and _The Heart of Philosophy_

Genres: Gnosticism, Politics, Philosophy

156 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Arthur Versluis, Professor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University, holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and has published numerous books and articles.

Among his many books are Platonic Mysticism (SUNY Press 2017), American Gurus (Oxford UP, 2014), Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esotericism (Rowman Littlefield, 2007), The New Inquisitions: Heretic-hunting and the Intellectual Origins of Modern Totalitarianism (Oxford UP, 2006), Restoring Paradise: Esoteric Transmission through Literature and Art (SUNY: 2004); The Esoteric Origins of the American Renaissance (Oxford UP: 2001); Wisdom’s Book: The Sophia Anthology, (Paragon House, 2000); Island Farm (MSU Press, 2000); Wisdom’s Children: A Christian Esoteric Tradition (SUNY: 1999); and American Transcendentalism and Asian Religions (Oxford UP, 1993).

His family has owned a commercial farm in West Michigan for several generations, and so he also published a book called Island Farm about the family farm, and about family farming in the modern era.

Versluis was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to Germany, and is the editor of JSR: Journal for the Study of Radicalism. He is the founding president of Hieros, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on spirituality and cultural renewal.