The Awakening of the Self
Evelyn Underhill
May 8, 2018 DOI: 10.4324/9781315124308-11 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that mystical awakening, or "conversion," is primarily an "unselfing," and that while this emergence is sometimes gradual and crisis-free, the records of mysticism suggest travail is the normal accompaniment of birth. The typical mystic's joy and pain alternate in many small oscillations rather than great ones, and the author contends Madame Guyon's value lies in her feeble surface-intelligence, which had little effect on her spiritual life. |
Abstract
“Conversion,” says Starbuck, in words which are really far more descriptive of mystical awakening than of the revivalistic phenomena encouraged by American Protestantism, is primarily an unselfing. Sometimes the emergence of the mystical consciousness is gradual, unmarked by any definite crisis. The self slides gently, almost imperceptibly, from the old universe to the new. The records of mysticism, however, seem to suggest that this is exceptional: that travail is the normal accompaniment of birth. The great oscillations of the typical mystic between joy and pain are here replaced by a number of little ones. The “two thirsts” of the superficial and spiritual consciousness assert themselves by turns. Each step towards the vision of the Real brings with it a reaction. Madame Guyon’s value to the student of mysticism consists largely in this feeble quality of her surface-intelligence, which hence had little or no modifying or contributory effect upon her spiritual life.