Mysticism After Modernity

In Mysticism After Modernity, Don Cupitt argues that the extensive modern literature about mysticism has rested upon a mistake - the belief that there can be meaningful experience prior to language. In postmodern thought, experience does not give meaning to language; on the contrary, language gives meaning to experience. From this point of view, the great mystics were a line of dissidents or revisionist writers who sought, through their writing, to dissolve God and the self into each other and so produce an effect of religious happiness. This highly thought-provoking book will encourage its readers to form a new mysticism of secondaries, a new form of religious nationalism.

Don Cuppitt was, for over 25 years, dean of Emmanuel College Cambridge. He has become known for his many controversial books and television programs, including The Sea of Faith. He has recently retired in order study and write full time.