Middlebury

FYSE 1184

The Journey Within

The Journey Within: The Spiritual Pursuit in Literary and Mystical Traditions
A fundamental teaching of the world’s religious and mystical traditions is that the source of love, the fulfillment of life, and the treasure of heaven are found within. With mystical and literary texts from antiquity to the present day as our guides, we shall explore themes such as the concept of the soul, the discovery of a deeper self, the spiritual awakening, and the nature of the mystical experience. Using both intellectual and experiential tools of inquiry, we shall consider questions related to religious and psychological experience such as: Where does the self reside? Why is it important to “know thyself”? What is the state of consciousness described as enlightenment? How does one rise above the sorrows and struggles of the world? Finally, we shall try to understand how ‘turning within’ may not mean fleeing away from the world; rather we shall explore the possibility that this direction might even mean engaging in the world around us in a more profound and meaningful way. Readings will include Plato, Marcus Aurelius, excerpts from the New Testament, Tolstoy, Emily Dickinson, Herman Hesse, J.D. Salinger, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mary Oliver. 3 hrs. sem.
Subject:
First Year Seminar
Department:
First-Year Seminar Program
Division:
Interdisciplinary
Requirements Fulfilled:
CMP CW PHL

Sections

Spring 2024

FYSE1184A-S24 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Spring 2023

FYSE1184A-S23 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Fall 2021

FYSE1184A-F21 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Spring 2021

FYSE1184A-S21 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Fall 2018

FYSE1184A-F18 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Spring 2017

FYSE1184A-S17 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Spring 2016

FYSE1184A-S16 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Fall 2013

FYSE1184A-F13 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Spring 2012

FYSE1184A-S12 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Fall 2009

FYSE1184A-F09 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Fall 2007

FYSE1184A-F07 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)

Fall 2006

FYSE1184A-F06 Seminar (Hatjigeorgiou)