On Mysticism

Name: On Mysticism
Price: 16.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Borges, Jorge Luis
ISBN: 9780143105695

✍️ Borges, Jorge Luis

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Journey into Borges's labyrinthine mind, where reality and the ineffable intertwine.

This curated collection unveils Jorge Luis Borges's profound engagement with the mystical, presenting a fascinating tapestry of his prose and poetry. Delving into the enigmatic interplay of reason, faith, and illusion, Borges masterfully explores the ineffable dimensions of existence. Edited by his widow, Maria Kodama, the volume gathers both renowned and previously untranslated pieces, illuminating his deep appreciation for Eastern spiritual traditions. It offers readers an unparalleled opportunity to witness how this literary titan wove transcendent concepts into his signature, mesmerizing narratives, revealing the very heart of his visionary philosophy.

Key themes

{'title': 'Metaphysical Reality', 'body': 'Borges consistently blurs the lines between objective reality and the fantastical. This collection showcases his penchant for crafting narratives where the tangible world dissolves into philosophical puzzles, inviting readers to question the very fabric of existence and the nature of perception itself.'} {'title': 'Eastern Spiritual Traditions', 'body': 'Drawing deeply from his extensive knowledge of Eastern philosophies and religions, Borges integrates concepts such as reincarnation, cosmic unity, and the illusion of self into his work. These influences provide a rich, complex backdrop for his meditations on eternity and the human condition, enriching his mystical explorations.'} {'title': 'Reason Versus Faith', 'body': 'Throughout these writings, Borges constructs intricate intellectual labyrinths where logical deduction often collides with profound spiritual intuition. He explores the tension between empirical thought and transcendent belief, suggesting that true understanding may lie in embracing paradoxes rather than resolving them.'}

🏛 Penguin Classics 📅 2010 📖 128 pages 🌐 en 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9780143105695

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Fun fact

This collection is an indispensable gateway into the esoteric dimensions of Borges's genius, masterfully revealing the mystical currents that flow through his diverse works. While it excels at illuminating the philosophical underpinnings of his imagination, readers expecting a conventional treatise on mysticism might find its literary approach challenging. It stands as a vital compendium, solidifying Borges's position not only as a literary giant but as a profound explorer of the spiritual unknown.

📝 Description: On Mysticism

An unprecedented collection of the visionary Argentine writer's meditations on the mystical realm Jorge Luis Borges immersed himself and his readers in metaphysical fantasies--playing reason against faith, belief against logic. His profound knowledge of eastern religions was an endless source of inspiration for his writing. On Mysticism--edited by Borges's widow, Maria Kodama--brings together a stunning group of prose pieces and poems that speak to this signature theme of his writing, from some of his most celebrated works to others that appear here in English for the first time. Together they yield valuable insights into the most ineffable dimension of his writing, illuminating the inimitable rewards of this literary visionary, a wisdom writer whose belief in the magic of words has made him beloved around the world.

⭐ Reader reviews

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⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to literature that challenges conventional thought, explores the boundaries of consciousness, and weaves spiritual questions into intricate narratives, this collection is essential. It's for those who appreciate intellectual rigor fused with profound imaginative depth.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is a meticulously compiled anthology of existing works, both well-known and newly translated into English, specifically focusing on his mystical themes. It offers a fresh lens on his established canon.

Not at all. While Borges delves into complex spiritual ideas, he does so through accessible, albeit intellectually stimulating, narratives and essays. His literary genius makes these concepts engaging for any curious reader.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Metaphysical Reality

Borges consistently blurs the lines between objective reality and the fantastical. This collection showcases his penchant for crafting narratives where the tangible world dissolves into philosophical puzzles, inviting readers to question the very fabric of existence and the nature of perception itself.

Eastern Spiritual Traditions

Drawing deeply from his extensive knowledge of Eastern philosophies and religions, Borges integrates concepts such as reincarnation, cosmic unity, and the illusion of self into his work. These influences provide a rich, complex backdrop for his meditations on eternity and the human condition, enriching his mystical explorations.

Reason Versus Faith

Throughout these writings, Borges constructs intricate intellectual labyrinths where logical deduction often collides with profound spiritual intuition. He explores the tension between empirical thought and transcendent belief, suggesting that true understanding may lie in embracing paradoxes rather than resolving them.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The universe, which others call the Library, is composed of an indefinite and perhaps infinite number of hexagonal galleries.»

«Every man is two men, the one he is and the one he imagines himself to be; and the second is often the more real.»

📜 Historical context

Emerging from the vibrant literary scene of 20th-century Argentina, Borges redefined philosophical fiction. His unique blend of erudition, fantastical elements, and deep metaphysical inquiry places him among the great modernists who interrogated reality. This volume specifically highlights his contribution to mystical literature, a tradition spanning centuries, by infusing it with his signature intellectual playfulness.

📚 Glossary

Mysticism
Metaphysical
Ineffable

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does Borges's blending of logic and the mystical challenge your own understanding of truth and reality?
Consider the role of "Eastern religions" in Borges's work. What specific concepts resonate most with his narrative style, and why?
If language itself can be a form of magic, as Borges suggests, how might this alter our approach to reading and writing about the ineffable?