Metaphor, Making and Mysticism

Radical Re-Imaginings in Language and Art

Sheila Gallagher, Louise Nelstrop, Lydia Shahan

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040401903
• Topic: Theology & Religion

This volume focuses on the interplay between metaphor, making, and mysticism and sheds new light on the power of the metaphorical and creative dimensions of the mystical for the twenty-first century. It explores the ways a variety of mystical writers deal with metaphor and image by bringing together chapters from interdisciplinary vantage points – theological, philosophical, historical, artistic, and literary. The book touches on a range of historical and contemporary figures, including Jalal al-Din al-Rumi, John of Ruusbroec, Hadewijch, John Scottus Eriugena and Edward Abbey. In reviewing the place of metaphor in mystical texts (both Christian and Islamic), the contributions reflect on the hard and difficult places both metaphor and mysticism can bring us to. They explore contemporary artists' engagement with the mystical and how these open up new ways of reimagining our present – moving us beyond static categories such as religion versus secular and Christianity versus Islam. Overall, the book highlights the potential of mysticism to push us beyond comfortable spaces and associations and considers the language and images used to do so.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• List of Figures
• Notes on Contributors
• The Editors of the Volume
• Acknowledgements
• Editors’ Preface
• Introduction
• Part One Metaphor and Mysticism
• Part Two Eriugena as Master of Metaphor, Mysticism and Making
• Part Three Making and Mysticism
• Epilogue
• Index