The Essentials of Mysticism and Other Essays [Paperback]

Evelyn Underhill (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mysticism | Publication Date: April 1995

This new collection of essays offers an introduction to one of this century's foremost writers on mysticism. This volume considers in depth the ordination of women, the promotion of social reform, and ways of providing an enlightened education for our children. The authors practical approach to living the spiritual life is also illustrated in her essays on prayer and contemplation. This book forms part of Oneworld's "mystical classics of the world" series.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Evelyn Underhill, a novelist and poet, published her first book in 1902 but her growing interest in mysticism led in 1911 to her greatest work, Mysticism. This classic text immediately established Underhill as the leading writer in the field, and she continued her work by writing many more significant and acclaimed books and essays. In 1921 she became Upton Lecturer in the Philosophy of Religion at Manchester College, and was the firt woman to give a series of lectures on theology at Oxford. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oneworld Pubns Ltd (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1851680608
• ISBN-13: 978-1851680603
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,009,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars light upon light upon light, June 22, 2000

By 

Vala Welch (hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essentials of Mysticism: And Other Essays (Paperback)

this classic in the field of spiritual experiance came into my possession twenty-five years ago and has been a continual companion on my path. in my estimation this is priceless book and i'm overjoyed to find it reprinted. my suggestion to anyone that is fortunate to read it is to look again at LIGHT as the underlying theme of the book. you will be rewarded!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evelyn Underhill's Essentials of Mysticism, January 11, 2009

By 

Keran O'Brien (Sedonna, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essentials of Mysticism and Other Essays (Paperback)

A collection of nine essays on mystics from Plotinus (the last great philosopher of antiquity) to Charles Péguy who died in the First World War that was published in 1920. The essays are not consistent, having been written over many years and collected here. She recognizes the importance of Plotinus who had a tremendouns impact on early Christian belief and Christian mysticism over a much greater period of time, through the agency of St. Augustine. Augustine, in turn discovered Plotinus throigh the translation by Victorinus from Plotinus' crabbed Greek into Latin. Like all Christian commentators on Plotinus,who founded NeoPlatonism, she cannot help scolding Plotinus for not being a Christian.
It is difficult for her to get all the mystics, from orthodox Jews, the Sufi,the Christains and the NeoPlatonists under one tent, so she is clearly tempted by the "somewhat heretical" teaching of John Erigena that there is a "supersubstantial God " above the Trinity. She has an annoying habit of quoting the writings of her subjects in the original Italian/French/Latin.
Despite being somewhat confused and confusing, Underhill's book is important in any attempt to understand the phenomenon of mysticism. Mystical phenomena are, after all, the only experimental evidence we have for the existence of God.
It should not be necessary to point out that mysticism, in motu proprio, has nothing to do with "The New Age. "