Mysticism information

Mysticism is popularly known as becoming one with God or the Absolute,^[1]^[2] but may refer to any kind of ecstasy or altered state of consciousness which is given a religious or spiritual meaning.^{[web 1]} It may also refer to the attainment of insight in ultimate or hidden truths, and to human transformation supported by various practices and experiences.^{[web 2]}

The term "mysticism" has Ancient Greek origins with various historically determined meanings.^{[web 1]}^{[web 2]} Derived from the Greek word μύω múō, meaning "to close" or "to conceal",^{[web 2]} mysticism referred to the biblical, liturgical, spiritual, and contemplative dimensions of early and medieval Christianity.^[3] During the early modern period, the definition of mysticism grew to include a broad range of beliefs and ideologies related to "extraordinary experiences and states of mind."^[4]

In modern times, "mysticism" has acquired a limited definition, with broad applications, as meaning the aim at the "union with the Absolute, the Infinite, or God".^{[web 1]} This limited definition has been applied to a wide range of religious traditions and practices,^{[web 1]} valuing "mystical experience" as a key element of mysticism.

Since the 1960s scholars have debated the merits of perennial and constructionist approaches in the scientific research of "mystical experiences".^[5]^[6]^[7] The perennial position is now "largely dismissed by scholars",^[8] most scholars using a contextualist approach, which considers the cultural and historical context.^[9]

^ McGinn 2005.
^ Moore 2005.
^ King 2002, p. 15.
^ King 2002, pp. 17–18.
^ Horne 1996, p. 9.
^ Paden 2009, p. 332.
^ Forman 1997, p. 197, note 3.
^ McMahan 2008, p. 269, note 9.
^ Moore 2005, p. 6356–6357.

Cite error: There are <ref group=web> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=web}} template (see the help page).

[FOOTNOTEMcGinn2005-1] McGinn 2005.

[FOOTNOTEMoore2005-2] Moore 2005.

[FOOTNOTEKing200215-5] King 2002, p. 15.

[FOOTNOTEKing200217–18-6] King 2002, pp. 17–18.

[FOOTNOTEHorne19969-7] Horne 1996, p. 9.

[FOOTNOTEPaden2009332-8] Paden 2009, p. 332.

[FOOTNOTEForman1997197,_note_3-9] Forman 1997, p. 197, note 3.

[FOOTNOTEMcMahan2008269,_note_9-10] McMahan 2008, p. 269, note 9.

[FOOTNOTEMoore20056356–6357-11] Moore 2005, p. 6356–6357.

Mysticism information

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Spirituality
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Esotericism
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Key concepts Western esotericism Eastern esotericism Mysticism Gnosis Correspondences Magic Astrology Alchemy Meditation Theosophy Theurgy Spiritual Hierarchy Hermeticism Kabbalah Occult Transcendental Unity of Religions Metaphysics Mystical theology
Esoteric rites Initiation Transmission Rites of passage Purification Divination Astral projection Invocation Evocation Visualization Egregore Propitiation Sacrifice Exorcism
Esoteric societies Sufi tariqas Philadelphian Society Freemasonry S.R.I.A. Élus Coëns Rosicrucians OTO Golden Dawn Thelemic Order
Notable figures Pythagoras Plato Hermes Trismegistus Dionysius Ibn Arabi Paracelsus Dee Böhme Lévi Blavatsky Waite Mathers Hall Crowley Gurdjieff Guénon Evola Schuon Steiner Jung
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