Entering the Garden of Truth: Mystical Traditions in Judaism and IslamJanuary 23, 2017 at 7–8:30 p.m.

Noam Sienna, visiting from the University of Minnesota, and Dr. Fuad Naeem of the Gustavus Department of Religion will discuss mysticism in Judaism and Islam.

For millennia, theologians, poets, and philosophers have wrestled with the deepest questions about the meaning of life: what is our purpose on earth? Why is there evil? How does the Divine connect to humanity? What is the role of sacred text in guiding one's soul? Often, in answering these questions, specific traditions emerged " people, texts, and rituals " that offered their followers guides for the process of spiritual transformation. Two of the most prominent mystical traditions, those of Judaism and Islam, are themselves interlaced with connections and correspondences. Our two speakers will each talk about mysticism in their respective areas of expertise, followed by discussion of theological and historical links between the two traditions.