Andrew O.  Fort                    Mysticism                             Office Hours

TBH  214, 257-6448               RS  30733                            11 daily or by appt.

a.fort@tcu.edu                     Spring 07                  personal.tcu.edu/afort

                                                  

 

            In this course, we shall examine conceptions of "mysticism" and  "mystical experience," and then consider mystical dimensions of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and some modern thinking.   We shall thereby explore some of the diversity of human experience and one fundamental aspect of the phenomenon called religion.  Our primary aim is to reflect deeply on our notions of our selves, ultimate reality, and their relationship; existential inquiry is an inevitable component of this course.  Our exploration will, of course, use some of the concepts and modes of inquiry common in the academic study of religion.  Thus, this course will increase your ability to read critically, think analytically, and write effectively through the description, analysis and evaluation of ideas of mystics and themes in mysticism.

 

            You are expected to attend all classes (come on time, but come even if late), and to read (and think about) the assignments before class.  Lectures and discussion are central, and demand preparation; the uninformed or absent student hinders the whole class.  The reading load is generally not heavy, but does take time and commitment.  Bring the relevant books to class; we will analyze the readings.  Be ready to listen, think, question, and speak.   All topics are open, but civil and respectful discourse is required.

 

            There will be four short (4-5 page) papers (15% of grade each), and a final 7-8 page course review (25%).  The papers should inform me about your reactions to the material, and will allow you to investigate the investigator (yourself).  There may be quizzes to confirm that you are doing the reading.  Unless you contact me beforehand, late papers will be permitted only for officially excused absences.  Class participation (including attendance) will be 15% of grade.  If you miss three or more classes, your grade can be lowered automatically unless you have a legitimate and documented excuse.  We will also be using eCollege, and you will need to post an entry approximately every two weeks.  Grades are in ten point increments; TCU does not allow pluses or minuses.

 

            If you have a problem affecting your course participation, or must miss class, let me know. Also, if you have a disability which may affect your class performance, please inform me during the first week of class. For information about attendance, disabilities and/or academic misconduct, refer to the appropriate sections under www.studentaffairs.tcu.edu.  Feel free to see me, after class or by appointment. 

 

REQUIRED TEXTS

 

R. Ellwood,  Mysticism and Religion, 2nd edition

F. C. Happold,  Mysticism

E. Dimock,  In Praise of Krishna

A. Watts,  The Way of Zen

Ram Dass,  The Only Dance There Is

Selections from Hindu texts, Eliade's Patanjali and Yoga, and some Buddhist writings

 

DAILY CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

 

16 Jan.   Introduction to course

 

18 Jan.  Defining mysticism and mystical experience   Ellwood: ix-xiii, 1-17

 

23 Jan.  Mystical experience   Ellwood: 18-33, 39-52

 

25 Jan.  Mystical Union  Ellwood: 75-88, 92-103

 

30 Jan.   Communication and techniques  Ellwood: 106-12, 126-32, 134-41

 

1 Feb.   Mysticism: society and path    FIRST PAPER DUE

                  Ellwood: 146-55, 158-60, 164-66, 171-87

 

6 Feb.   Roots of Christian mysticism  Happold: 175-84, 203-17

            (Plato and Plotinus)                 

 

8 Feb.   Love mysticism  Happold: 235-48   Ellwood: 63-67

 

13 Feb.   Eckhart and others   Ellwood: 116-23   Happold: 269-79, 314-32

 

15 Feb.  Sts. Teresa and John of the Cross   Happold: 342-66

 

20 Feb.     "              "            "          SECOND PAPER DUE

 

22 Feb.  Hinduism: Upanisadic monism

             Ellwood: 58-61    Readings from The Hindu Tradition

 

27 Feb.  Hinduism: Shankara's Vedanta    reader (Deutsch)

 

1 March Hinduism: Patanjali's Yoga    Eliade, to p. 53 (in reader)

 

6 March   "         "        "        Eliade, to end

 

8 March  Hinduism: devotion to Krishna

              Dimock/Levertov: vii-xx, 77-9, 3-69

 

SPRING BREAK

 

20 March      Ò    Ò      THIRD PAPER DUE

 

22 March  Buddhism: the Buddha    Watts: 29-56

 

27 March  Buddhism: meditation     Happold: 170-3

                reader, The Heart of Buddhist Meditation

 

29 March  Buddhism: Mahayana    Watts: 57-76     Happold: 162-mid166

 

3 April  Buddhism: Madhyamika

 

5 April  Buddhism: the Bodhisattva

 

10 April  Buddhism: Ch'an   Watts: 77-133

 

12 April  Buddhism: Zen    Watts: 134-72

 

17 April  Zen  Watts: 173-200        FOURTH PAPER DUE

 

19 April  Modern mysticism    Ellwood: 67-71, 112-16

               (science)  Happold: 22-3, 30-4, 137-40, 394-97

 

24 April  Modern mysticism    Maslow and Smothermon (in reader)

 

26 April   Modern mysticism: Ram Dass  

               The Only Dance There Is, 1-41, 47-75

 

1 May   Be Here Now in The Only Dance There Is,

               80-1, 89-92, 105-26, 138-9, 150-6, 166-74

 

FINAL PAPER DUE (by 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 8)