Mysticism in Comparative Perspectives
December 14 – 16, 2016
A conference at the University of Glasgow seeking to renew the comparative study of mysticism.
About the Conference
This conference, organised by the Mystical Theology Network and incorporating the Astaire Seminar in Jewish Studies, takes as its starting point a shift in the academic understanding of ‘mystical experience’ which occurred during the last century. The call for papers states:
“At the start of the 20th century, it was widely believed that there was some unitary ‘mystical experience’ underlying the varieties of religious and doctrinal expression. On this view, a Christian, a Buddhist, a Hindu, or a Sufi all had the ‘same’ experience and only differed in their manner of expressing it. By the end of the century this kind of comparativism had fallen into disrepute. Nevertheless, dialogue between faiths would seem to be significantly imperilled if no shared experiential or practical points of unity can be identified. Drawing on recent research, the conference seeks to renew the project of a comparative study of mysticism and in doing so to offer resources for both teaching and research in theology and religious studies.”
Speakers include: Rob Faesen (Leuven), William Franke (Vanderbilt), Bernard McGinn (Chicago), George Pattison (Glasgow), Ada Rapoport-Albert (King’s College, London), Jane Shaw (Stanford), Mia Spiro (Glasgow).
Papers will also be delivered by Elizabeth Roberts (Beshara Trust), Jane Clark (Beshara Magazine), Richard Gault (Chisholme Institute) and Paul Finegan (Chisholme Institute).
Further information
For more information about the Mystical Theology Network see: http://users.ox.ac.uk/~rege0676/.
The conference will run from 2.00 p.m on 14th December to 1.30 p.m. on 16th December at Glasgow’s Gilmorehill Campus. The conference will incorporate the Astaire Seminar in Jewish Studies, ‘Wandering Souls’, with papers by Ada Rapoport-Albert and Mia Spiro, 5.00-7.00 p.m. on Thursday 15th December.
Advice on accommodation can be found at:
https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/glasgow/accommodation/
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g186534-Glasgow_Scotland-Vacations.html
Booking & Fees
The conference fee is £95 waged / £85 unwaged (inclusive of tea/ coffee).
Click here for details on how to register and book a place at the conference.
University of Glasgow, Gilmorehill Centre
9 University Ave, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
