Mysticism and Social Change (1978, Berkeley, CA)
Description
The Mysticism and Social Action collection is a series of recordings from the Lawrence Lecture at Berkeley Unitarian Church in California in 1978. In this collection, Thurman illustrates different understandings of mysticism and his own childhood mystical experiences. For Thurman, mystical experience is not an endpoint in religious experience, but rather opens up towards involvement in the social world. Thurman's lecture is also followed by a Q&A discussion in which Thurman touches on related topics such as: the discipline of centering, the personal nature of God, and what mysticism means in a world of suffering and injustice.
Date
1978
Contributor
Descriptions by Rodell Jefferson III and Anthony Fiddes.
Collection Items
Mysticism and Social Change (Lawrence Lecture), 1978 October 13
This first part of Thurman’s sermon on mysticism addresses different definitions and experiences of mysticism and how they relate to social change. He begins by talking about his place in a radically depersonalizing Western society, and how refusal to accept assigned categories in that society results in lifelong struggle. He elaborates on his first experiences with mysticism, being alone on a Florida beach as a child and feeling the vast rhythm of life as he looked up at the sky. It is the…
Mysticism and Social Change (continued; Lawrence Lecture), 1978 October 13
This continuation of Thurman's talk on mysticism and social action finds him illustrating the ultimate principles of the mystic. For the mystic, social action is not an end in itself, but rather is the process by which the mystics removes obstacles blocking the altar in their own heart. The mystic is one who has undergone a journey of self into their central core where God dwells, where the forgiveness of God is found. But what the mystic discovers is not just for themselves, but for all people.…
Mysticism and Social Action, Part 1 (Panel discussion with Howard Thurman), 1978 October 14
This section of the Mysticism and Social Action collection contains a brief talk by Thurman followed by Q&A discussion. Thurman grounds the discussion in the paradox of religion: How does one keep their inner life uncluttered whilst not using the inner life as an escape from involvement in the world? Thurman insists that these two rhythms are actually part of one pulse beat. One questioner asks Thurman about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and how this might reflect the dynamics of…
Mysticism and Social Action, Part 1 (Panel discussion with Howard Thurman, continued), 1978 October 14
This recording is a continuation of the Q&A discussion on Mysticism and Social Action. Thurman begins by fielding a question about the relationship between innocence and knowledge, and the tension that one feels between inner reality and outer reality. Thurman also gives his thoughts on death as an experience of life, saying that death is not the final extinguishment of life, but rather an event that is a part of life. Thurman insists that there is a life-continuity rhythm just as there is a…
Mysticism and Social Action, Part 2 (Panel discussion with Howard Thurman, continued), 1978 October 14
In this final installment of Mysticism and Social Change, Thurman gives a final word to the relationship between the inner life and social action in response to a questioner who wonders if mysticism is a luxury for the comfortable and the elite. Thurman begins by saying that he has little hope for institutions to change the social order of things, rather each person must choose where they stand and live out their dream for the world they want to live in. Thurman says that he chose the church to…
Collection Tree
- Mysticism and Social Change (1978, Berkeley, CA)