The silent god and the silenced : mysticism and contemplation amid suffering /

The silent god and the silenced : mysticism and contemplation amid suffering /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:	Cho, Min-Ah, author.
Imprint:	Washington, DC : Georgetown University Press, [2025]
Description:	xviii, 203 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Language:	English
Subject:	Silence -- Religious aspects -- Christianity. Suffering -- Religious aspects -- Christianity. Spiritual life -- Christianity. Mysticism -- Christianity.
Format:	Print Book
URL for this record:	http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/14152167

Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:	9781647124915 1647124913 9781647124922 1647124921 9781647124939
Notes:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-195) and index.
Summary:	"By exploring silence as more than just the mere absence of sound, scholars have addressed silence as a means through which one genuinely listens to Dasein (Heidegger), as an antidote to a reactive, volatile, and opinion-slinging culture (Susan Sontag), or as a communication alternative to the violent and turbulent rhetoric of the dominant narrative. Commonly recognized in these studies is the spiritual and mystical dimension of silence that transcends the rational and the comprehensible. This book begins where these theories leave off, arguing that "ultimate silence" arises from Christian mystical tradition and theology. The book particularly engages with Michel de Certeau's exploration of the empty tomb metaphor, Evagrius Ponticus' writings on hesychasm, Søren Kierkegaard's reflections, Jean-Luc Nancy's notion of divine place, and Sarah Coakley's prayerful vulnerability. The book also puts "ultimate silence" into conversation with writers and artists, namely, Mary Oliver, Simone Weil, Susan Sontag, and the poet and performance artist Theresa Hak Kyung Cha. The book establishes a theory that makes the spiritual tradition of silence available for its practice in our everyday life, grounded in the inexhaustible mystery of the spiritual. With a deeper theological understanding of contemplation that transcends the rational, the practice of silence in everyday life facilitates engagement between listener and speaker that allows both parties to deepen the relationship"--
Other form:	Online version: Cho, Min-Ah. Silent god and the silenced Washington, DC : Georgetown University Press, [2025] 9781647124939

Description
Summary:	A groundbreaking exploration of the transformative power of silence<br> <br> The Silent God and the Silenced: Mysticism and Contemplation amid Suffering explores the theological and spiritual dimensions of silence, challenging traditional speech/silence dichotomies. Cho investigates the silenced voices of the vulnerable, interweaving Christian mysticism, literature, and art to reveal silence's subversive potential in unlearning dominant narratives. The book advocates a theological approach that seriously considers silence and prioritizes attentive listening to promote genuine accountability. By engaging with figures such as Evagrius Ponticus, Hadewijch of Antwerp, Michel de Certeau, and Simone Weil, alongside contemporary voices like Theresa Hak Kyung Cha and Arundhati Roy, the book offers fresh perspectives on the transformative power of silence in today's turbulent world.<br> <br> This interdisciplinary exploration will intrigue scholars and enthusiasts of theology, literature, and art. Readers will discover how silence can serve as a counterpoint to the noise and violence of modern life, providing avenues for resisting injustice and fostering contemplative, transformative pathways to spiritual and intellectual growth.
Physical Description:	xviii, 203 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-195) and index.
ISBN:	9781647124915 1647124913 9781647124922 1647124921 9781647124939