Mysticism in American Literature: Thoreau's Quest and Whitman's Self

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece.
Review: "Mysticism in American Literature" revives the innermost depth of the soul. The portrayal and interpretations of the writings of Thoreau and Whitman leaves me in awe of the author's own mysticism.... It is a masterpiece. Dr. Paul Hourihan portrays a divine faculty to translate the Transcendentalists writings to get into the direct heart of the truth, a power in man that is independent of the senses and the intellect.

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece.
Review: "Mysticism in American Literature" revives the innermost depth of the soul. The portrayal and interpretations of the writings of Thoreau and Whitman leaves me in awe of the author's own mysticism.... It is a masterpiece. Dr. Paul Hourihan portrays a divine faculty to translate the Transcendentalists writings to get into the direct heart of the truth, a power in man that is independent of the senses and the intellect.

Rating:
Summary: An insightful look at two of America's Greatest Poets
Review: Mysticism In American Literature: Thoreau's Quest and Whitman's Self

Author Paul Hourihan


"I believe in you, my soul..." from Song of Myself, Walt Whitman

David Henry Thoreau, most famous for his philosophy of "Simplify, simplify," lived his own dream for only a few years. Traveling to Walden Pond where he wrote his most profound works, he later obsessed over it for seven years until it was in his opinion perfect. Perhaps this obsession is what led to his own loss of the enlightened state that he sought for so long.
Walt Whitman's greatest work, "Son of Myself" gives the impression of a highly enlightened man in touch with the infinite Truth, but his later works depict a man who has found but not held on to, the absolute Truth.
Paul Hourihan dissects the lives of these two men with a deep spiritual understanding, exposing them for the lost souls that they were. Although great writers and revered philosophers, both died after long periods of attempting to once again regain that feeling of absolute enlightenment that was once theirs. Samples of their works are sprinkled throughout, tempting the reader to do their own research.

Written in true literary style, yet in layman's terms as readers will find many of Hourihan's works, the author delves into the personalities, lives and successes of these two great men. This reviewer found it a fascinating read, being a fan of both. Illuminating, informative and insightful, highly recommended.

Author, Paul Hourihan earned his doctorate in English literature from Boston University. During the course of his life he studied the world's spiritual traditions, compelling him to publish his works. This is only one of the many spiritual works of Paul Houihan. For other selections visit: www.Vedantic ShoresPress.com.


Rating:
Summary: A Critique and a Guide for the Would-Be Mystic
Review: This is an insightful and interesting study of two of the greatest American Transcendentalist writers, written for a non-academic audience interested in the practical side of mysticism.

I'm very glad to see that this kind of book is being written. Whitman said that the real measure of a book is whether it had helped any human soul. Hourihan's study here attests to the power to inspire still in these great American writers. It also holds out the promise that students of mysticism may stop overlooking the great models closer to home.

It is as models of the mystical life that Hourihan analyzes and critiques Thoreau and Whitman. His biographies of the careers of both seem intended to serve as inspiration and cautionary tale to the would-be spiritual seeker. Both authors, Hourihan implies, failed to reach their potential as mystics--Thoreau because of his lack of sympathy with the common man and lack of human connection, and Whitman in part because of his love of himself--the self he was prior to his mystical experiences. In all this, Hourihan seems to draw on a universalized idea of what the "proper" mystical path is, and what its successful outcome would be.

But we may feel inclined to forgive this judgement, because of the ring of experience that sometimes comes into Hourihan's writing. The reader often feels unspoken autobiography coming into the fore in Hourihan's critiques--particularly when he speaks of the difficulties a mystic faces in relating to his or her family. What poets are being judged by seems to be the same criteria Hourihan judges his own life by.

At times, this book seems to go a bit far--to suggest, for instance, that Whitman's strokes were the direct result of his ignoring the demands of his revelation. But I can forgive a great deal for the impassioned, practical interest that Hourihan brings to this work, and may inspire in his readers.

Rating:
Summary: A sublime, literate, and thoughtfully reasoned study
Review: Written by a teacher with a Ph.D. in English literature and 25 years experience in mystical instruction and studies, Mysticism In American Literature: Thoreau's Quest And Whitman's Self is an introspective study of the lives and well-known works of Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman from a mystical point of view. Exploring the spiritual struggles both men went through, in order to deepen the understanding and appreciation for their lives and works, Mysticism In American Literature is a sublime, literate, and thoughtfully reasoned study of enduring philosophical questions and ideals grounded both within and beyond the physical world.