This study of the meaning and the experience of mysticism is a product of the author's personal interest in mysticism and his reflection, as a philosopher, on some of the philosophical questions raised by mysticism is a "a psychological process which occurs with varying degrees of intensity in everyone's life" and the observation that this process changes the experiencer, the author goes on to discuss such questions as "Can we define mysticism?" and "Can we describe mystical experiences?," "Is mysticism rational?," and "What is the meaning of mystical experience?"

Dr. T.D. Bhutia is a Yolmowa and was born in 1933. At nine he was initiated as a novice Lama of Maghdog monastery, Aloobari, Darjeeling. Betwieen 1943 to 1950 he completed his three retreats. In 1955 he received two important initiations and empowerments from His Holiness the Dalai lama and Zamyang Khenche Rinpoche followed by yet another two retreats. He underwent three vipasana retreats at Igatpuri. Lastly, on receivng the zogchen empowerment from Dilgo Khenche Rimpoche, he completed his final retreat in Rumtek branch monastery in New Delhi. Simultaneously he completed his high school, graduation, B. Ed., M.A., M.Phil and Ph.D in Buddhist studies. Besides being a fully qualified lama in meditation and yoga and also having acquired the highest University degree, he started his career as a Tibetan teacher and , later on, appointed as Professor in Tibetan at the Nation's Prestigious Institute at N.D.A., Khadakwasla. Presently he is Director under the Govt. of India.

This book is a clarion call for an expanded vision of human possibilities. The 50 essays that make up Oaths Beyond Ego apply transpersonal thinking to individual growth, psychotherapy, meditation, dreams, psychedelics, science, ethics, philosophy, ecology and service. The result is an integrated and comprehensive overview of the many dimensions of human experience.

This volume represents the first book-length treatment in English of one of the greatest mystical writers in Christian history, Jan van Ruusbroec (1293-1381). A careful reading of the texts by the Flemish historian Paul Mommaers focuses on two delicate relationships: that between mysticism and religiosity and that between a mysticism of union in love and the more metaphysical mysticism of unity. Winding in and out of this presentation is a commentary by theologian of religions Jan Van Bragt, which attempts to place the problematic in a wider, interreligious context by contrasting the spiritual path of Buddhism with that of the Christian mystical way. The combined result is not only an original reading of the great Flemish love-mystic, but a groundbreaking attempt to view religious history through the dual lenses of one's own faith and that of the faith of others. Ruusbroec's approach is seen to challenge traditional ideas about differences between the Buddhist and Christian ways and to open new possibilities for further encounters at the level of mystical thought and practice.