Mysticism in a Womans World - Essay Example

Mysticism in a Woman’s World Traditions of Women Mystics by Religion and Philosophy Introduction The concept of spirituality transcends gender, as itis a nature of humans to search for an Ultimate Entity. However, the idea of “God” was only limited to men in the past centuries, as women were deprived of opportunities of intellectual growth. Their religious experiences were denied and were considered heretic just because they belong to the “weaker sex.” In Christianity, records of mysticism are important because it would become a basis of a Christian’s enduring faith. Despite of their position in the society, women mystics served a vital role in Christianity; their capacity to sympathize with suffering made them vulnerable to religious experiences. In this paper, the role of mystic women in different religious philosophies will be tackled as well as the basic tenets of these religions as to fully understand mysticism as a specific type of religious experience. Mysticism Defined The etymology of mysticism can be traced from its Greek roots which literally mean “to conceal.” Revels contends that mysticism is rooted from something deeper which “goes beyond the senses, intellect, and imagination,” leaving it unexplained. It provides a conscious “extemporaneous experience” of connecting with the One. Martin stated that mysticism offers a difficult to describe event that often, the mystic would describe it in a negative way (155). According to Woods, mysticism is not a religion in itself, but an essential element of a religion (20). In Catholicism for example, a person is granted sainthood if he or she has lived a holy life, follows the ideals of the Catholic Church earnestly, and has offered at least two miracles after death. Several catholic saints have experienced mysticism during their lifetime, to name a few: there is Saint Joan of Arc, who had a vision of Christ from her childhood; Sister Faustina who had a vision of the abysses of hell; and St. Nicholas, who became a popular Christmas symbol. In contrast with Woods, Professor Caird defined mysticism as an “exclusive religion” wherein the “attitude of the mind is swallowed up” in order to reach a full relation to God (qtd. in Fleming 5). The nature of mysticism is constant with that of spirituality and provides a “revolt against cold formality and religious torpor” (Woods 20). Themes of mysticism are often associated with the presence of the Supreme Being felt by the senses. Underhill quoted the mystic experience as a point of departure into the world of spirituality and “denying the world in order that it may find reality” (2). A feeling of ecstasy and unexplained bliss is an ordinary phenomenon in this particular event. Furthermore, a sense of purity as in holiness and being sacred is felt (“Mysticism”). The phenomenon of mysticism is deeply spiritual, and beyond any human explanation and defies all levels of intellects because it is rooted from the belief and the innate capacity of humans to perceive the presence of their Creator. The Characteristics of Mysticism In order to reach a mystic state, one has to commune with the ultimate element that makes it possible: Love; wherein with this element, a “conscious relation” between man and God is established (Woods 21). In his book Mysticism in Christianity, Fleming cited from Professor James the four marks which can determine a mystical event. The first characteristic is ineffability; where the experience “cannot be transferred to other people,” which makes it “highly personal.” Second suggests the intervention of intellect of the mystic event, and that memory “can imperfectly reproduce such states.” The last would speak about passivity, where the person feels an intervention of a super power in his system. Fleming quoted that these qualities postulated by James are a complete opposite of what Underhill had mentioned about mysticism; as for her, it is “active and practical.” Mysticism and the Women of Different Religions Mysticism holds an important position in developing a religion; although it is not always parallel with the establishment of a religion. The absence of it would not cease a certain religion to exist. However, it has become common knowledge that mysticism is largely related to religion and that the major tenets of religion have something to do with the records of mysticism of its faithful. Women mystics played a significant role in the preservation of religion, despite of discrimination. Although different religions constitute to the different characteristics of women mystics, they share common traits in chastity, their relationship towards the church and society, and the presence of the “feminine element” in worship (“The Traditions”). Mysticism in Christianity Mysticism in Christianity was said to have occurred in the first quarter of the 9th Century A.D. According to Buck in her book Theosophy, early mystics would include the Essenes, the Therapeutae, the Gnostic sects and the Neoplatonists, but later vanished because of the conquests of Christianity, led by Constantine and Islam by Mohammad. The nature of Christianity was Kabbalistic, where the teachings concerned about answering ontological questions. The Passages on the gospel of John suggest that Christianity was an influence of the Jewish tradition. Upon its revival, the clergy has not much to do with their women followers, making Christianity an almost exclusive organization for men. Women were not allowed to serve the church. Consequently, their lack of knowledge in Latin became a hindrance for them to teach the philosophies of their religion. Yet, in the midst of the oppression received from society, it was the women who “kept the inner Spirit of the faith alive” during the darkest period of the religion until such time that it is again free to “burn openly” (“Women Mystics”). In addition, mysticism in Christian women was heroic in nature, rather than ecstatic experiences exemplified by other religions. Joan of Arc may be one of the most renowned female Christian mystic who “declared openly her ability to alter the course of human events” (Noren). Her story can be recalled as the village girl of France who had visions of Jesus; it seems as if they were growing together since she saw the child Jesus when she was still young and the adult Jesus when she was in her coming of age. Another would be Saint Faustina, who was identified to have seen and talked with God, as what she testified. Christian mysticism is closely related to the Christian’s ardent faith. It is said that only the firm believer of the faith has the opportunity to experience mysticism and oneness with God; spiritually and physically. Mysticism in Buddhism Detachment from material things may be one popular philosophy originated from the Buddhists, where enlightenment or self-discovery is the main goal. Buddhists, unlike the Christians, do not believe in God or any Supreme Being, but their concept of Nirvana allowed them to have mystic experiences. Nirvana is the Buddhist counterpart of the Christian’s Utopia. In the article by O’Brien, he explained that in order to reach the Nirvana state, one must eliminate the three poisons which are desire and greed, anger, and ignorance or delusion. Nirvana requires extensive meditation and concentration on one’s self, an avenue to attain mysticism. In Tantric Buddhism, the role of women is emphasized through the idea of “passionate enlightenment” (Shaw). In her study about the women in Tantric Buddhism, women have much to offer when it comes to the development of the religion and its transmission to future generations. Sacred scriptures and the teaching of it were done predominantly by women. The tantric tradition, as emphasized with sensual practices and various mystical tendencies, regard women as a partner to “achieve liberation” (Shaw). Furthermore, women need not to have men’s approval with regard to the practice of religion or the development of a theory. The power vested on the female gender in Tantric Buddhism has great effects towards their mystification. “Tantric Buddhism is not about sex, but about all the energies that constitute a human being” (George). Most people would regard Buddhism as a way of life rather than a religion. Although this is the case, the role of women was greatly emphasized in its development, unlike other religions where women are treated as a source of evil acts and temptation, particularly in early Christianity. Mysticism in Judaism Mysticism has been in the Jewish accounts or found elsewhere in the Torah. Similar with Christianity, the visions and visitations by the angels are also a common story in the Jewish tradition, where ordinary yet firm believers of the faith were having prophetic dreams, and have been visited by spiritual beings. Women, even in its early culture, were respected and were granted rights the same as the men. Judaism grants the women to have rights on property and have a significant voice in marriage and family life (“The Role”). Although they were not permitted to pursue higher education and engage in political roles, the reason was not because they were belittled by their society, but rather to prevent them from neglecting their duties as mothers and wives. Although they have less to do with Kabbalah, they were also well-oriented with their religion and some were even recorded as Jewish mystics. One would be Ines of Herrera who testified that she reached heaven and was escorted by angels upon her descent. Like Saint Faustina, she also saw Purgatory and the souls that suffered there. Ines and other women Jewish followers engage themselves in “ecstatic dancing, singing, mystical marriages, and calls for fasting and repentance” (“Jewish Women Mystics”). It is a traditional belief among early Jewish mystics that through ritual performances, they could call down the angels of heaven because “they seek to draw divinity, power, and holiness down to earth to human beings” (Lesses). Traditional women in Judaism resemble conservative Catholic women. Their roles as mothers and wives should not be taken for granted and the innate aspects of the heart were the key in achieving mysticism. Mysticism in Islam The Islamic religion is ruled predominantly by the men and women enjoyed minimal rights compared to that of other religions. Surprisingly, femininity also holds an importance in the Islamic Faith particularly with regard to Sufism--the mystical aspect of Islam. Looking into the two aspects of Allah as a God, He is both absolute and infinite. The absoluteness of Allah holds the masculine side while Allah’s infinity suggests the female dominance. In this sense, the idea that Islam is largely a “masculine religion,” is negated, since equality is shown in the image of Allah. Kadijah, the wife of Muhammad, played an important role in supporting her husband in establishing the new faith, and it was with their daughter where the first Islamic mystical experience happened. As Helminski contended, “the deeper mystical understanding of Islam was first conveyed” by their daughter Fatimah and was recognized as the first Muslim mystic. Sufism is centered on “self-meaning” according to the codes of Qur’an. Sufi women practices are similar to that of the men, which includes: Islamic ritual prayers and fasting, remembrance of the “spiritual lineage,” meditation, invocation, and musical concerts “to enhance mystical awareness” (Hussain). Like mystics in other beliefs, the Sufi needs to have full concentration and submission to the Divine in order to reach the state of Allah. The role of women in Islam may have been too overlooked, and the use of burka and hijab would emphasize this. However, the image of Allah defies this popular thought, while the existence of women Sufis proves that women also have a significant place in the practice of this religion and the Islamic state in general. Mysticism in Hinduism The similarity in tradition and belief of the Hindus and Buddhists is undeniable. Religious scholars have said that the Buddhist tradition is an offshoot from that of the Hindus, a concept greatly opposed by the Buddhists. The acceptance of Buddha in the Hindu faith came from the idea that Buddha was an incarnation of Vishnu. The concept of karma, detachment, and impermanence are the things which bind the relationship of the two religions. The search for “enlightenment” makes the believer of the Hindu religion experience mystical events. Yoga, before it became a form of modern exercise, was first and foremost a religious activity done by the Hindus. According to Prabhu, the yoga is an act of meditation in order to reach the highest of purity and “absolute perfection which is essential in all human state.” The yogis’ purpose is to strip off all kinds of impurities and earthly desires which are believed to be the cause of all human sufferings. Meditation goes hand in hand with yoga as it paves the way for a clear and serene mind so as to attain a state of purity and divinity. According to Goel, “the doctrine of female divinity has established firm roots among the Hindus” (1). A high regard of women in the society has long been a part of the Hindu tradition. Women, as they were known to be gentle, tender, and loving, also have responsibilities in a Hindu state; often, they have superior qualities over men as what is being manifested in old Hindu epics and history. The characteristics of Hindu women as submissive yet strong combined with the Hindu tradition’s search for enlightenment and the yoga concept may result to mysticism. Conclusion Women, revered for their passion and open heart, have great mystical tendencies. The different philosophies of the major religions in the world have great respect towards femininity, where it has become a pillar in strengthening the faith. If not mysticism, the goal of any firm believer is to have union with their God or nature, and in order to achieve such goal is to have a heart and mind of a woman where the total submission to the Divine is seated. Works Cited Buck, J.D. “Mystics and Mysticism in Christianity.” Theosophy. Theosophical University Press Online, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Fleming, W.K. Mysticism in Christianity. Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 1995. Print. George, James. “Passionate Enlightenment: Women in Tantric Buddhism, by Miranda Shaw.” National Taiwan University. Society for the Study of Myth and Tradition, 1994. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. . Goel, Madan Lal. “The Sacred Feminine in Hinduism.” University of West Florida. University of West Florida, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. . Helminski, Camille Adams. “Women & Sufism.” The Threshold Society. The Threshold Society, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Hussain, Zakir. “An Introduction to Sufism.” The Canadian Society of Muslims. n.p., 11 Feb. 1998. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. . “Jewish Women Mystics.” NSW Board of Jewish Education. NSW Board of Jewish Education, 02 Dec. 2010. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Lesses, Rebecca. “Ritual Practices to Gain Power: Angels, Incantations, and Revelations in Early Jewish Mysticism.” Ithaca. Ithaca College, 23 Aug. 2006. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. . Martin, Michael. Atheism: A Philosophical Justification. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1992. Print. “Mysticism.” the Mystica. Alan G. Hefner, 25 Oct. 2010. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Noren, Marcia Quinn. “The Mystic Legacy of Jeanne d’Arc.” Saint Joan of Arc Center. Saint Joan of Arc Center, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . O’Brien, Barbara. “Nirvana.” About.com. About.com, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Prabhu, Bhole. “The Meaning and Purpose of Yoga.” Traditional Yoga and Meditations of the Himalayan Masters. SwamiJ.com, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Revels, Pat. “What is Mysticism?” Kepher.net. Kepher.net, 08 June 2006. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . “The Role of Women.” Judaism 101. Tracey Rich, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Shaw, Miranda. Passionate Enlightenment: Women in Tantric Buddhism. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1995. Print. “The Traditions of Women Mystics.” Margery Kempe Tradition and Context. Holy Cross University, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. . Underhill, Evelyn. Mysticism. Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 2003. Print. “Women Mystics of Christianity.” Christian Mystics. ChristianMystics.com, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. . Woods, Richard. Understanding Mysticism. New York: Image Books, 1980. Print. Read More