TWO BOOKS ON MYSTICISM

Two Recent Books on Algebras

theory, the relation of hypercomplex numbers to quadric surfaces, abelian integrals, etc. Moreover, as will be seen below, the book would have gained both in power and charm if the second part had been compressed. Part I, on the general theory of number fields (130 pages) is divided into three chapters. Of these, the first gives the definition of a number field via four postulates, the rudiment...

The Qur’an and Mysticism On The Universe of Two Sides

The universe has an exterior known as the material world and an interior called the “hereafter.” So are the Qur’an and mankind. In other words, the universe, mankind and the Qur’an have hierarchical stages. The universe and mankind comprise the physical world, but the Qur’an constitutes the Divine Law. Since the origin of all three is one single source, one can say the former matches t...

Two Books about Airplanes

Late Medieval Mysticism

both positive and negative; in the medieval world, however, it held a precise meaning, often also referred to as “contemplation” or “the contemplative life.” The mysticism of this period had some merits, but also some serious flaws in both theology and practice. In many respects, the mysticism of the medieval world derived from early Latin mysticism, which in turn evolved from an amalgamation o...

Drugs and Mysticism

The claim has been made that the experience facilitated by psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline, can be similar or identical to the experience described by the mystics of all ages, cultures, and religions. This paper will attempt to examine and explain this possibility. There is a long and continuing history of the religious use of plants that contain psychedelic substances...