The spiritual imagination of the Beats

Author:David Stephen Calonne (Author)

Summary:"The Spiritual Imagination of the Beats is the first comprehensive study to explore the role of esoteric, occult, alchemical, shamanistic, mystical and magical traditions in the work of eleven major Beat authors. The opening chapter discusses Kenneth Rexroth and Robert Duncan as predecessors and important influences on the spiritual orientation of the Beats. David Stephen Calonne draws comparisons throughout the book between various approaches individual Beat writers took regarding sacred experience--for example, William S. Burroughs registered significant objections to Buddhism, while Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac both devoted considerable time to studying Buddhist history and texts. This book also focuses on authors who have traditionally been neglected in Beat studies--Diane di Prima, Bob Kaufman, Philip Lamantia, and Philip Whalen. In addition, several understudied works such as Gregory Corso's "The Geometric Poem"--Inspired by Corso's deep engagement with ancient Egyptian thought--are given close attention. Calonne introduces important themes from the history of heterodoxy--from Gnosticism, Manicheanism and Ismailism to Theosophy--and demonstrates how inextricably these ideas shaped the Beat literary imagination."--Page i

Print Book, English, 2017

Edition:View all formats and editions

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2017

Genre:History

Physical Description:viii, 236 pages ; 24 cm

ISBN:

9781108416450, 1108416454

OCLC Number / Unique Identifier:973743615

Subjects:

Beat generation

Beatniks

Beats (Persons)