Asia, modernity, and the pursuit of the sacred : gnostics, scholars, mystics, and reformers / Joel S. Kahn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kahn, Joel S., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mysticism.

History.

Spirituality.

Religion.

Asia--Religion--Study and teaching--Europe--History--20th century.

Asia.

Christianity and other religions--Asian.

Christianity and other religions.

East and West.

Europe--Civilization--Oriental influences.

Europe.

Civilization.

Spirituality--Europe--History--20th century.

Mysticism--Europe--History--20th century.

Ethnology--Religious aspects.

Ethnology.

Asians--Religion.

Christianity.

Civilization--Oriental influences.

Interfaith relations.

Religion--Study and teaching.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xiv, 192 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire ; New York, NY : Palgrave Macmillan, 2016.

Summary:

"Examines a large number of Europeans who, disillusioned with western culture and religion after World War I, and anticipating the spiritual seekers of the counterculture, turned to the religious traditions of Asia for inspiration. Harshly criticized by both scholars and religious reformers, their project of "Gnostic Diplomacy" became of continuing relevance in a time of violent clashes between inhabitants of 'secular' and 'sacred' worlds"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Anthropology and the limits of secular reason

Gnosticism and the pursuit of the sacred

Traditionalism : a dialectic of authenticity

Gnostics, religion and the (mis)recognition of modernity

Modern mystics : towards a gnostic science

The inner journey of the gnostic self : ethics and politics

Other worlds or ours? : sacred/secular/gnostic/modern

What if culture didn't matter? : Asian studies and the new universalism(s).

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781137567949

1137567945

OCLC:

933780761