Eastern Mysticism

The Vow and Aspiration of Mahamudra including the Pith instructions of Mahamudra by Tilopa.

This book offers the practical details of entering into deep meditation, from ways of sitting to the classic position of hands. It draws from a variety of teachings, including ancient Christian, Buddhist and modern psychotherapy. The reader will also find here the presentation of the mystical side of Christianity as taught in the early centuries when union with the Divine was meant to be an experience, not merely a belief. The authors are also influenced by the great German master Karlfried Graf Durckheim, whose teaching combines years of study with Zen Buddhists in Japan, a personal ...

Mysticism is popularly understood as becoming one with God or the Absolute. In this inspirational book, the Dalai Lama's thoughts on the nature and meaning of mysticism, how we can live lives infused with mystical experience, and how mysticism can result in both personal and social change are revealed. The book consists of four sections - an introduction, quotations, a lecture on mysticism by the Dalai Lama, and a glossary - that provide an accessible introduction to the Dalai Lama's core teachings concerning the mystical path.

Our teaching has a very great deal of mysticism in it and it should be more completely developed with the realization that mysticism is not mystery just as intuition is not psychism. Half of the world and three-fourths of the world in our field, who should know better, mistake intuition for psychism and think if a person gets a hunch they must be very spiritual so most people mistake mysticism for mystery.

Essence Seekers is an allegorical spiritual journey that takes us through practical, emotional, and psychological steps from a beginning curiosity and longing to enlightenment. It inspires with hope, while it aids with deep introspection and authenticity. Rooted in Eastern wisdom adapted from ancient texts, the universal and non-sectarian themes speak to any and all seekers of the essence of life.

Annie Besant was a writer, lecturer, prominent theosophist, and women's rights activist of her time. She was a frequent contributor to various theosophical publications of her day. This piece by her, from 1912, is a short, basic introduction to mysticism through the eyes of theosophy. She writes about mysticism within Christianity and the Western Mystery Tradition in general. It's also interesting to note that she mentions the Illuminati in this piece, but in a philosophical rather than historical context, which is unusual for the time period.