Nationality American | ||
 | ||
Occupation American philosopher, theologian, and teacher Books Confucius - Buddha - Jesus - an, The Hindu Traditions, Religions of the Axial Age: An A, The Age of the Sages: The Axial, Four Wise Men: The Lives and | ||
Mark William Muesse (born May 1, 1957) is an American philosopher, theologian, and teacher. Muesse was born in Waco, Texas and attended University High School. He received a B.A., summa cum laude, from Baylor University and an M.T.S., an A.M. and a Ph.D. from Harvard University.
Contents
Career
Since 1988, Muesse has taught at Rhodes College. Muesse has also been Visiting Professor of Theology at the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary in Madurai, India.
Teaching and Service
Muesse has been widely recognized for his teaching and service. He received the Fortress Press Undergraduate Teaching Award (2007) and the Clarence Day Award for Outstanding Teaching (2008). He was a recipient of the “Distinguished Service Award” from the Viswayogi Viswamji Foundation for Universal Integration and Peace in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India, for “outstanding and dedicated community service and exceptional efforts to promote ‘human values and culture.’”
Muesse is also known for his work with The Great Courses. His recorded series include:
• The Great Religions: Hinduism • Religions of the Axial Age • Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad • Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation
Writings
Muesse has produced four lecture series and companion books for The Great Courses: The Great Religions: Hinduism; Religions of the Axial Age; Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad; and Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation . His books include Redeeming Men: Religion and Masculinities (with Stephen Boyd and Merle Longwood); The Hindu Traditions: A Concise Introduction, which was awarded a Certificate of Special Distinction by the Uberoi Foundation for Religious Studies; and The Age of the Sages: The Axial Age in Asia and the Near East. His newest book, Four Wise Men: The Lives and Teachings of Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad, will be published in 2016.
Mindfulness Practice
Muesse is a longtime practitioner and teacher of Vipassana meditation. He has studied meditation at the International Buddhist Meditation Centre, Bangkok, Thailand; the Himalayan Yogic Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal; and the Subodhi Institute in Piliyandala, Sri Lanka. He is a partner in Advancing Mindfulness and leads retreats and seminars on mindfulness practices with Dr. Manoj K Jain.
Personal life
Since 2001, Muesse has been married to Dr. Dhammika Swarnamali. They have one daughter, Ariyana.