Mysticism in the Poetry of W. B. Yeats and Lal Shahbaz Qalander: A Comparative Study
Rehana Anwer, Muhammad Arfan Lodhi, S. Anam
The Educational Review USA July 27, 2021 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.26855/er.2021.07.005 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Mysticism is a universal temperament that transcends religion, time, and space, as shown in the poetry of W. B. Yeats and Lal Shabaz Qalander. Mystics rely on a sixth sense rather than intellect to perceive reality and truth, believing in invisible powers and seeking immortality beyond the visible world. Both poets share qualities of mysticism and achieve eternity through their work. Mystical tendencies can be developed through conscious effort, concentration, and meditation, supported by research on the brain's contemplative powers.
Study at a glance
| Design | qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Population | selected poems of W. B. Yeats and Lal Shabaz Qalander |
| Key finding | Mysticism is a universal temperament, and both W. B. Yeats and Lal Shabaz Qalander share qualities of mysticism, attaining eternity in their poetry and work. |
Abstract
The work addresses the mystical elements in the selected poems of W. B. Yeats and Lal Shabaz Qalander. For this purpose, the concept of mysticism and Sufism was understood in the light of different material taken from books, journals and articles. After thorough study of concerned literature, the selected poems were analyzed on the mystic pattern as suggested by Elvyn Underhill’s book on the mystic consciousness. It was a qualitative study which revealed that mysticism is a universal temperament and mystics are special persons irrespective of any religion, time and space and share the same characteristics. The mystics do not use their intellect but depend on sixth sense which enables them to comprehend reality and truth. They believe in invisible powers and sharpen their senses to go beyond the visible and be immortal. They cross the limits of time and space; both mystics under observation share the qualities of mysticism and attain eternity in their poetry and work. Mysticism and spirituality are bent of mind and these ten-dencies can be developed by conscious efforts. Latest research on brain has proved that mind has been bestowed with excellent powers of contemplation. By developing an attitude of concentration and meditation one can easily achieve the status of a mystic if he is able to purify his soul.