Mystical Union in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam An Ecumenical Dialogue [Hardcover]

Mystics who have spoken of their union with God have come under suspicion in all three major religious traditions, sometimes to the point of condemnation and execution in the case of Christianity and Islam. Nevertheless, in all three religions the tradition ofunio mysticais deep and long. Many of the spiritual giants of these three faiths have seen the attainment of mystical union as the heart of their beliefs and practices.

Despite its importance, mystical union has rarely been investigated in itself, apart from the wider study of mysticism, and even more rarely from the aspect of comparative studies, especially those based upon broad and expert knowledge of the inner life of the three related monotheistic faiths. This text brings together essays that equally explore the broader idea ofunio mysticaas well as the mystic traditions within each religion.

Preface
Introduction:Unio mystica: The State and the ExperienceLouis Dupr?
Studies
1. Universalization and Integration: Two Conceptions of Mystical Union in Jewish MysticismMoshe Idel
2. Love, Knowledge andUnio mysticain the Western Christian TraditionBernard McGinn
3. Bewildered Tongue: The Semantics of Mystical Union in IslamMichael Sells
4. Unitive Experiences and the State of TranceDaniel Merkur
Comments
Moshe Idel
Michael Sells
Daniel Merkur
Bernard McGinn
Notes
Name Index
Subject Index

Moshe Idelis Max Cooper Emeritus Professor of Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

Bernard McGinnis Naomi Shenstone Donnelley Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology and of the History of Christianity in the Divinity School and the Committees on Medieval Studies and on General Studies at the University of Chicago, USA.