Mysticism, historical and contemporary
Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis January 16, 2019 Carl-Martin Edsman
Mysticism, defined as piety centered on inner religious experience and pure religious introversion, is the foundation of all religion. Its core features—a distinct epistemology, ascetic ethics, and techniques—appear with striking similarity across diverse historical periods and religious traditions, despite numerous variations. The distinguishing state of mystical experience is ecstasy or rapture, which cannot be separated from preparatory physical and spiritual training or from its transformative consequences for the mystic's entire life. This experience can lead to complete devotion to serving others, and the common accusation that mysticism involves selfish, anti-social enjoyment of God is not entirely justified.