ipl-logo

Jewish Mystic Analysis

872 Words4 Pages

A Comparative look at Jewish Mystics and Buddhist Mystics

If mysticism is as Carmody suggests ‘a direct experience of ultimate reality’, how does the Jewish idea of what this is compare to that of the Buddhists? Although these two mystical traditions have a vastly different idea of what ultimate reality should look and feel like both employ the structural technique of re-telling of mystical narratives in order to inspire the devotion needed to reach a mystical state. According to Carmody and Carmody, ‘The Buddhist mystics regularly recapitulate the enlightenment of Gautama…they replay the realization of the Four Noble Truths or The Noble Eightfold Path…or Gautama’s victory under the bodhi tree” (Carmody,1996:69). Much like the Jewish mystics …show more content…

In this way, the Jewish god is able to show kindness and become like a friend to the believer. For the Jewish mystic, mystical union with ultimate reality/god is a deeply passionate and affective experience; one gets the sense of a fiery fevered desire and love.
Buddhist nature, in sharp contrast to this, maintains that the more impersonal the better. The mystic must remain detached and unaffected; he or she must see the truth of nothingness, pierce the void with the sword of prajna and experience the cool freedom of a dispassionate engagement with the transience of reality. This is the path to ‘the ultimate’.
Both Buddhist and Jewish mystics incorporate symbolism as vehicles to pursue the mystical. In fact these symbols can be a direct means for accessing the mystical state or as Carmody terms it, symbols entreat the mystic to have ‘direct experience with ultimate reality’ (Carmody & …show more content…

This call to action is a guiding motive for Jewish mystics to actively seek the nature of god. In this call we glean a sense of the fire and rapture found in the embrace of such a humanistic god, albeit with some dread for what touching god’s face might then mean for the mystic. The sharp contrast to the Buddhists search for ‘a direct experience with ultimate reality’ that of nothingness of complete freedom from desire, is nun more clear to see than right here. The Buddhist mystic seeks a cool detachment perfectly described in an oxymoron by Trungpa, ‘Seek a cool boredom’. This is the ultimate state.
But even though the notion of the ultimate, which mystic from each of these traditions are searching for is different, the way they are doing it is the same. Both are using different types of intense devotional study, re-telling significant narratives, seeking refuge in a different state of consciousness- those advocated in the Kabbalah and the eight fold path. What is sought appears different but the affects of this ‘ultimate reality’ is the same; expanded consciousness an increase of knowledge, bliss, nirvana, enlightenment and

Show More
Related
247 Words | 1 Pages

Within the Hmong culture there is great emphasis on symmetry, balance, and complementary sections in bodies, society, and cosmos. Additionally, the soul must be kept in balance to maintain good health; sadly, the soul of Lia was not kept in good health which lead to severe, poorly-treated epilepsy. The medical mistakes and lack of precise communication ultimately lead to an untimely death of Lia; however, between both parties dealing with Lia’s epilepsy, the severity of her illness could have been prevented if both parties took Eliade’s perspective on sacred space into account during treatment. Sacred space, in terms of Eliade’s perspective, is one of the most critical, cherished topics that defines his paradigmatic model for religion. The

Read More
406 Words | 2 Pages

In the Buddhist

Read More
531 Words | 3 Pages

This signifier of power eventually led to Buddhism gaining converts all across Central Asia. I used

Read More
910 Words | 4 Pages

They have specific worldviews which can be differentiated using the provided stimulus’ 3 and 4. Stimulus 3 presents the Buddhist worldview; “Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think.” (Dhammapada: Collection of teachings of the Buddha). This implies that Buddhists have power to shape their experience of life by cultivating positive thoughts and attitudes. In contrast, Stimulus 4 presents the Christian worldview on God’s love for the world to which “he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Read More
1192 Words | 5 Pages

Lame Deer transforms as a result to the vision and according to Eliade approaches the gods. Eliade explains the reactualization of myths “religious man attempts to approach the gods and to participate in being” (Eliade 106). Lame Deer feels the “nagi” when the vision of his great-grandfather occurs; a connection is formed between the past and present (Deer 6). Both Eliade and Lame Deer discuss the loss of depth in religious experiences.

Read More
178 Words | 1 Pages

One of the really stark differences is between Everything or Nothing. –> Hinduism sees the ultimate reality as being all things united as one glorious divinity. Buddhism sees the ultimate reality as nothingness. While Hindus gain Moksha and become one with everything in the universe; Buddhists gain Nirvana

Read More
1293 Words | 6 Pages

The Jewish scriptures focus on divine redemption, not on mystical enlightenment. Eastern mysticism is really the antithesis of the personal Judeo-Christian God that Jesus showed us in his life and

Read More
214 Words | 1 Pages

Buddhist worship Gautama Buddha (The Enlightened One), who taught the Four Nobel Truths in life. Buddha’s main goal was to reach a state of peace similar to heaven (Nirvana). Nirvana is one of Buddha’s earliest and most common teachings. The Eightfold Path is the conduct or rule book for

Read More
1420 Words | 6 Pages

The concept of transcendence in Buddhism refers to the process of transcending the limitations of the ego and gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of reality. Through practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and the cultivation of wisdom and compassion, Buddhists seek to cultivate inner qualities that can help them transcend the limitations of the ego and gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings. Enlightenment, on the other hand, refers to the ultimate state of spiritual realization and liberation from suffering that can be attained through the practice of Buddhism. The Buddha's teachings emphasize the importance of cultivating inner qualities such as wisdom, compassion, and equanimity as a means of achieving enlightenment. These characteristics are also exhibited on Sarnath Stambha.

Read More
987 Words | 4 Pages

Using this technique, he posits one will eventually find the truth and be on the right path. This summarization can be likened to Conze’s assertion that Buddhist thinkers loved paradox and contradictions. With this, he associates Buddhist thought with

Read More
835 Words | 4 Pages

Similarly they both believed in a break from reincarnation when you free yourself of all desires. Hinduism and Buddhism are similar as they both originate from India and their

Read More
754 Words | 4 Pages

This article attempts to provide a detailed analysis of divine or ultimate reality characteristics in two religions, Hinduism and Yoruba indigenous religion. Perhaps we can learn more about how different faiths conceptualise and interpret the ultimate truth by exploring different aspects of it. We can understand the complexity and diversity of human mental experiences through comparative research. The Yoruba indigenous religion originated in West Africa, especially Nigeria, and is deeply rooted in Yoruba culture.

Read More
391 Words | 2 Pages

Some groups of Judaism came to believe that Jesus was the messiah; others did not. Those who did (eventually) took the name of "Christian". That’s how Christianity came upon. The teachings of Jesus was the very base start were Christianity began. Judaism and Christianity can be comparable religions, but essentially they believe that there is only one God.

Read More
985 Words | 4 Pages

Many Universities and research institutions openly discuss the definition of ‘Esotericism’ in order to decide whether it should be studied within religious studies or not. In this essay, it will first define the nature of ‘Esotericism’ and then the reasons of ‘Esotericism’ should be studied within religious studies. Western mysticism, also known as Western mysticism, Western mystical traditions, and Western Tantric traditions, is a term used to cover certain mystical customs including alchemy, astrology, herbalism, tarot cards, Teach, Hermetism, spiritualism, numerology, kabbalah, ritual magic and other secret legends of the body. It tries to divide all of these things into a coherent piece of work and a theoretical body. Many subjects are

Read More
1312 Words | 6 Pages

This interaction called devekut in primitive Judaism is part and parcel of primitive Christianity, understood as sacred communion with God, usually expressed in meditation and prayer. Religion is a term too tarnished and too general to satisfy the inner longings of those who perceive and grasp God and feel God grasping them. Our yearning for a personal relationship with Him, the grasp and the embrace, transcends the formality of orthodox religion. In that inner personal relationship we find peace. This peace comes with the realization of redemption from sin and death, which God Himself provides.

Read More

More about Jewish Mystic Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document