Mysticism, historical and contemporary

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

An evident experience of God's presence is the basis for all religion. Mysticism is considered to be piety in so far as primary importance is attached to inner religious experience, to religion as occurring in the soul. Mysticism is pure religious introversion. The special religious experience of mysticism, its epistemology and its ascetic ethics or technique, occur with startling likeness in widely different times and types of religion. This does not, however, exclude a multitude of variations and differences. The way of mysticism includes different stages, but the state which generally distinguishes mystical experience is ecstasy or rapture. It is, however, often impossible to isolate this from the preparatory physical and spiritual training and even less from the revolutionary consequences for the whole life of the mystic. It can result in complete devotion to the service of one's neighbour, and the not infrequent accusation that the mystic gives himself up to a selfish and anti-social enjoyment of God is not entirely justified.