Mysticism and Social Change (Lawrence Lecture), 1978 October 13

Description

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 sentiment of this image that characterizes Thurman’s view of mysticism: a highly personal practice of quiet reflection where the obstacles that muddle the awareness of God are removed. And it appears that it is through this removal of those obstacles that social change arises.