The idea that the human body consists of 'subtle bodies' - psycho-spiritual essences - can be found in a variety of esoteric traditions. This radical form of selfhood challenges the dualisms at the heart of Western discourse : mind/body, divine/human, matter/spirit, reason/emotion, I/other. 'Angels of Desire' explores the aesthetics and ethics of subtle bodies. What emerges is an understanding of embodiment not exclusively tied to materiality. The book examines the use of subtle bodies across a range of traditions, yogic, tantric, theosophical, hermetic and sufi. 'Angels of Desire' shows the relevance of the subtle body for religion, philosophy, art history and contemporary feminist religious studies and theories of desire.

About the Author
Jay Johnston is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Studies in Religion at the University of Sydney, Australia.


Book Information
ISBN 9781845533083
Author Jay Johnston
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Equinox Publishing Ltd
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 385g