Theosophy has both Christian and Hindu teachings, but was never fully accepted by proponents of either faith. It had a great influence on mysticism taught in 19th Century Europe, one which Albert Einstein found unappealing. He was, however, a supporter of mystical feelings – and their importance in motivating scientific discovery – while never claiming to be a mystic himself.

When I take the widget out I still see it incorrectly in IE. Did you notice that before? I’ve had at least one person write me and say things were sometimes a bit off. Or a lot off.

I’ll try and track down the problem and see if it’s possible to insert something that will toss it to one or another set of info depending on the person’s browser, but, apparently this is a big problem with IE in general now.

B

I was using Firefox or Chrome (I jump between the two, like you). As I post this comment, I’m using Chrome, and the related articles from Pluck are down the right (blue/gray background) column, not some wonky place at the bottom (as I do see when checking out your site with IE – yeah, that’s broken).

Burke

Looking at the ones that are on the front page right now:

What is Mysticism? which, while not exhaustive gives a few thoughts as to a mystic in various traditions.

Mysticism from the Encyclopedia Britannica. That one gets a thumb’s up.

Meditation Breathing which gives information that I suspect can be of interest and importance to many visitors.

Jakob Bohme, one of the great mystics of Christianity is highlighted by way of his entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica

Oprah’s Occult Plot which I can’t begin to explain. Things will come this way via Pluck that perhaps aren’t quite as on target as we like and, as I’m working, I can focus the content down a bit more. Just mark this as, “Not for me. Not even a little.” That’s what I did.

Theosophy which I’m mildly interested in knowing more about because it was one branch of Christian mysticism that sprang up relatively recently and has good and some off-target things for me. Others may find it spot on.

About Christian Meditation ties Meditation to the Bible itself and is a refreshing bit of openness.

New Start, New Year is really written to suggest the Jesus Prayer and Way of a Pilgrim which remains one of the definitive books within Christianity that strikes a chord for the active mystic in the tradition.

About Early Christian Cults is a poor choice of words for some very valid information. I think the author might have said “Early Christian Communities” instead of using such a power packed word that really doesn’t apply. The general definition of Cults these days is different than the sociological/historical classic definition. Still, gives a good jumping off place for people who want to learn more.

The Reason One Or Two is, well, goofy and overly simplistic. The author’s self proclaimed identity of “The Socratic Gadfly” should tip you off. We have to have enough faith and energy to take a look at this kind of stuff even though we may not like his opinions. It’s probably the one (although who knows about the Oprah thing) that would most prompt your reaction. So far, we’re batting pretty well, though, on articles one can learn from and be interested in.

Angelologist isn’t exactly New Age — it’s the Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Hermitage Report. I’m not all that clear on Angels, although I tend to think there is something going on there as I suspect many or perhaps most of the readers here do. So, I’d say take it or leave it, it’s certainly not off topic with what a reader of this site might expect to at least see mentioned.

Meditation. Encyclopedia Britannica. Enough said.

The Jesus Prayer. Only thing that strikes me as worth a chuckle is not the good basic information, but the care the poor writer takes to distinguish all this classic practice from “New Age.” Really, that’s way past it’s prime as a complaint. The only way that word seems to keep in the language is because of people trying to distinguish themselves from it. Still, good, solid basic information on the Jesus Prayer although I’d love to have a word with Earl Capps and get him a calendar.

A. W. Pink – Wow. No defense for that. I think the keyword gremlin somehow put the keywords in the wrong order on this one.

Please note that if you go the read the article you’re going to set off a cascade of alternative articles that you can click on to read other items in the same vein. If you don’t like the main article, nod and see how it affects your believes, either strengthening or questioning.

So, will Pluck stay? I hope so. Will I be able to sharpen up some of the article picks? Sure. Will I ever fix it so there’s nothing but other articles in total agreement with what I think so that no other points of view of questions show up either in the articles or in the comments to the day’s entry?

No.

Let’s leave that to the Fundamentalists who would rather not have to think or hear an opposing view on this or that doctrine.

Blessing,

Brian

p.s. Of course, others here feel as you do, I’m sure. I hope I explained the limitations of the system so far. Just ask yourself. If 70% of the articles (or higher) were of interest and got you thinking, that’s more than most magazines you pick up. The alternative?

It seems the articles it came up with are mostly negitive against Mysticism.

It would seem to me that it might be more appropreate for a pro & con website.

franklin