Agony and ecstasy: the lives of mystics

What this episode covers

From medieval mystic Julian of Norwich to countercultural figures of the 1960s, various individuals down the centuries have felt they have access to spiritual forces beyond human understanding. But what drives these transcendent – and often ecstatic – sensations? And how were people with a deep connection to the divine regarded by wider society? In today's episode, philosopher and author Simon Critchley speaks to Charlotte Hodgman about his new book On Mysticism: The Experience of Ecstasy. (Ad) Simon Critchley is the author of On Mysticism: The Experience of Ecstasy (Profile Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mysticism-Experience-Ecstasy-Simon-Critchley/dp/1800816936/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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How long is this episode of HistoryExtra podcast?

This episode is 32 minutes long.

When was this HistoryExtra podcast episode published?

This episode was published on January 31, 2025.

What is this episode about?

From medieval mystic Julian of Norwich to countercultural figures of the 1960s, various individuals down the centuries have felt they have access to spiritual forces beyond human understanding. But what drives these transcendent – and often ecstatic...

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