Mysticism In the Daode Jing
Oxford University Press eBooks May 1, 2008 Gary D. DeAngelis, Warren G. Frisina
This essay outlines how Gary D. DeAngelis uses the Daodejing (DDJ) in a course on comparative mysticisms. Students begin with Ninian Smart's definition of mystical experience as a state of consciousness where one acquires fundamental insight into the nature of reality. DeAngelis then guides discussion of how the DDJ addresses two questions: the nature of ultimate reality and how one may experience that reality. These questions lead students to explore epistemological issues, particularly what the DDJ means by claiming it is possible to "know" a Dao that is itself "unknowable."