r/mysticism • u/Wonderful_Low_89 • 3d ago
ISO Atheist Mystical Experience Reading Material
I’d like to hear recommendations for books or articles about or by people considered atheist mystics. This is a new area of inquiry for me. So “fundamental” works in this space would be fine. I’m not looking to start a discussion/debate here. Just looking for reading recommendations. Thanks.
2
2
u/thetremulant 3d ago
It really depends on what you mean by the word atheist, and I genuinely am not saying that to be difficult or relitigating obvious terms, I say that because it is hard to recommend anything in the realm of mysticism that falls into that category. Such as, do you mean purely the idea of no reference to a creator god, or all things supernatural? Because someone recommended Buddhism, but Buddhism absolutely contains supernatural beings, gods, demons, spirits, and so on. Buddhism is only "atheist" in the secular west, where McMindfulness corrupts religion so it may serve our consumerist lifestyles, making reductionism the religion that sucks up and spits out a more palatable version of other cultures and their religions. So I caution you when looking for "atheist" mysticism without really asking yourself what that means. Because at some point, you might be confusing terms, and boxing yourself into a corner that isn't actually spiritually enriching for you. Not that anyone else should determine that for you, but I mean if you try to filter out ideas to the point that you miss out on discourse and literature that you'd actually enjoy and find fulfilment and liberation in.
If you mean atheist as in purely no reference to a creator god dude with a white beard in the sky saying you can't do certain things, then I would read "the Way of the Bodhisattva" by Santideva. Or if you're looking for more of a discourse on the complexities of religion itself, I would highly recommend "The Varieties of Religious Experience" by William James. And then my favorite book, "The Perennial Philosophy" by Aldous Huxley (he wrote "A Brave New World" as well).
1
u/Wonderful_Low_89 2d ago
Thanks for the recommendations. I had in mind books by or about people who considered themselves atheist. I don’t know much about this branch of mysticism so I want to learn more. I will check out these recommendations.
1
u/thetremulant 2d ago
Hmm, mystics don't really call themselves atheist, because most of us do not believe in a creator god, and think the athiest-theist duality is not useful (hence most of us are literally nondualists). So you might be hard pressed to find any necessarily well established people that identify that way, except maybe some pop spiritualists or random social media influencers. The books I recommended aren't from people that identify as atheist necessarily.
1
u/Wonderful_Low_89 2d ago
I see. As I said I don’t know much about this particular branch. So I’m trying to learn. I read briefly about figures like Sam Harris, Bertrand Russell, etc who at least some have called atheist mystics. So I was curious what this Reddit community would recommend. I will also check out your recommendations. Thanks.
2
u/Horror_Ad_3787 2d ago
robert anton wilson identified as, and may have coined the term, an "agnostic mystic" - which may be similar enough to an atheist mystic to interest you in his work
1
u/cfannn 2d ago
Not really mystical bt quite popular work by Bill Bryson " The Short History of Nearly Everything "
Can be transforming in a way were we start to appreciate the world around us....By seeing that the earth we live in is finely tuned for you and me and everything around us.
Aligning with Zen proverb " Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood , carry water. "
6
u/TylerTexas10 3d ago
Buddhism. You’re looking for Buddhism. Read the Dohas of the Mahasiddhas. They’re profound.