Mysticism is Evelyn Underhill's seminal work on the subject. The book is divided into two parts, "The Mystic Fact" and "The Mystic Way." In the first part Underhill explores the theological, psychological, and philosophical underpinnings of mysticism from a historical perspective. In the second part Underhill examines the application of mysticism in one's life as a means for spiritual growth. Evelyn Underhill's Mysticism is both a fantastic introduction to the search for spirituality through mysticism and an almost encyclopedic examination of the subject.
Mysticism
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About the Author
Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), a novelist and poet, published her first book in 1902 but her growing interest in mysticism led in 1911 to her greatest work. A comprehensive study of the spiritual life and religious experience, Mysticism remains a classic. In 1921 she was Upton Lecturer on the Philosophy of Religion at Manchester College, and was the first woman to give a series of lectures on theology at Oxford.
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194 of 197 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read Underhill's magisterial "Mysticism" the summer after I graduated from high school, and I've been a student/devotee of the western contemplative tradition ever since. Underhill's accessible if British-formal prose provides a wonderful, elegant stage on which the majesty and depth of the interior life can be celebrated. The book neatly divides into two halves: the first examines mysticism from theological, psychological, and philosophical perspectives; the second takes the reader on a tour of the process of mystical growth over the lifespan, looking at such key life passages and transitions as conversion, self-purification, illumination, the "dark night," and union. What emerges is a developmental map for adult spiritual growth, which is a tremendous corrective to many of the silly notions floating around in our society, such as the idea that one single "born again" experience is all that is necessary to achieve total spiritual attainment. What I especially love about Underhill is her evident enthusiasm and passion for her subject matter. Without ever saying it in so many words, she reveals in her writing that mysticism is more than a dry subject for disinterested study; it is a living, breathing tradition, that demands engagement and participation from those who would explore it. Ultimately, mysticism is not found in a book, but in the lived process of relating to the Divine. It's ironic that this message needs to be passed down in books, and yet, Underhill's wonderful study of the subject does just that. This was written in 1911, and shows some marks of age; for example, the chapter on "Vitalism" refers to a philosophical fad of her day that seems almost totally irrelevant a century later. Even so, I have a house full of books on this topic, ranging from the scholarly (Bernard McGinn) to the popular (Thomas Merton) to the just plain silly (Keith Harary's and Pamela Weintraub's "Mystical Experiences in 30 Days"), and I have yet to find a single volume that provides a better, more useful, and more potentially transformative introduction to the contemplative life than this book.
123 of 125 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Evelyn Underhill's "Mysticism..." is a true classic and is unique in its blend of intellectual rigor combined with the mystic/poet's love of Reality. Although written in 1911, and the first of many books and essays on the subject, Underhill writes in a style closer to 19th century romanticism, than to the 20th century's more technical and minimalist works. Her knowledge of Mystical (or Spiritual as she would later use) History and Christian Theology is encyclopedic and definitely up to the scope her title suggests. In terms of scholarly achievement, she is a giant.
And yet her skill as an academic is not even close to my favorite thing about this book. What is? Her prose! Her writing is simply the most beautifully brilliant I've ever read on the subject. She writes in a way that is not only poetic, but is also clear and illuminating. Here's an example from page 252: "It must never be forgotten that all apparently one-sided descriptions of Illumination-more, all experiences of it-are governed by temperament. 'That Light whose smile kindles the Universe' is ever the same; but the self through whom it passes, and by whom we must receive its reports, has already submitted to the molding influences of environment and heredity, Church and State. The very language of which that self avails itself in its struggle for expression, links it with half a hundred philosophies and creeds."
A treasure for anyone looking for inspiring text, but who's tired of the overly sentimental and non-discerning "new age" drivel of our day, and a must for any serious student of the subject.
And yet her skill as an academic is not even close to my favorite thing about this book. What is? Her prose! Her writing is simply the most beautifully brilliant I've ever read on the subject. She writes in a way that is not only poetic, but is also clear and illuminating. Here's an example from page 252: "It must never be forgotten that all apparently one-sided descriptions of Illumination-more, all experiences of it-are governed by temperament. 'That Light whose smile kindles the Universe' is ever the same; but the self through whom it passes, and by whom we must receive its reports, has already submitted to the molding influences of environment and heredity, Church and State. The very language of which that self avails itself in its struggle for expression, links it with half a hundred philosophies and creeds."
A treasure for anyone looking for inspiring text, but who's tired of the overly sentimental and non-discerning "new age" drivel of our day, and a must for any serious student of the subject.
61 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mysticism: The Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness by Evelyn Underhill, is a must read for any serious student of Christian mysticism. This is also a wonderful work for understanding the spiritual experiences of the great mystic saints. This classic text explores the common features that tie together the religious lives of St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Catherine of Genoa, St. Francis of Sales, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. John of Ruysbroeck, and others. She explores the core nature of the mystical experience both theologically and psychologically. Underhill is brilliant in her discourse on the mystic way. Her theology is impeccable. I highly recommend this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
essential reading for theological and psychological interests
Evelyn Underhill has followed in the footsteps of William James and has written an important masterpiece here in the science of noetics and spiritual phenomena--or, as she calls... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lawrence
I can't read it!
I've heard it's a great book, and I just received it as a gift, but who on earth can read something printed in an 8 or 9 point font? Even with my glasses, it's impossible! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Michele Peterson
small print
If you buy this paperback be sure to also get a microscope....The print is incredibly small. My magnifying glass is not powerful enough, and I don't wear corrective lens.
Published 4 months ago by Edward D. Detrick
Far too small!
Written in the early 20th century, the style of English requires concentration and thought. Combine this with a really small print font size,and you have an excellent recipe for a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by mork
Great Book/ Bad edition
This is a classic text by one of the best modern writers on mysticism. However, the production is shoddy, and the print is so tiny that I couldn't read it. Read more
Published 7 months ago by stivesmn
Cutting to the Heart of the Matter
I would like to offer prospective readers a guide to one of the themes running throughout Part One of "Mysticism. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Richard B. Smith
Great Introduction to Mysticism
This was one of the first texts I read when I began learning about mysticism. Underhill, an English Anglican theologian with Catholic leanings, decided to explore the mystical life... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Reader from Washington, DC/New York
outstanding still relevant keystone
99 years after first published and, in my opinion, it stands as the keystone, central masterpiece that analyzes mysticism without trappings of religious dogma. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Robert W. Smith
Evelyn Underhill and Mysticism
I was a young woman just graduating from high school when I chanced upon this book. In some ways it seemed way over my head, because I had not yet had a personal intimation of God,... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Susan Boudreau
"Educational Material"
By Albert C. Bender, Author of "YOU ARE FOREVER IN TIME."
"Mysticism," clearly ampliefied for me, this authors knowledge and intellect
on the subject written. Read more
"Mysticism," clearly ampliefied for me, this authors knowledge and intellect
on the subject written. Read more
Published on May 9, 2010 by albert c. bender
Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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mystic way, illuminative way, spiritual marriage, transcendental feeling, divine personality, spiritual alchemists, astral light, divine immanence, transcendent order, astral world, interior silence, divine transcendence, divine voice, interior castle, lapis philosophorum, first mystic life, independent spiritual world, unitive life, surface intelligence, independent spiritual life, subliminal region, transcendental perceptions, divine fecundity, mystic consciousness, mystic type Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Catherine of Siena, John of the Cross, Madame Guyon, Catherine of Genoa, Dark Night, World of Becoming, Francis of Assisi, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Uncreated Light, Purgative Way, Rulman Merswin, Pure Being, Divine Life, Angela of Foligno, Cloud of Unknowing, Jacob Boehme, Divine Love, Presence of God, Beatific Vision, Divine Reality, Eternal Wisdom, God Himself, Divine Wisdom, Eternal Life, Theologia Germanica Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
mystic way, illuminative way, spiritual marriage, transcendental feeling, divine personality, spiritual alchemists, astral light, divine immanence, transcendent order, astral world, interior silence, divine transcendence, divine voice, interior castle, lapis philosophorum, first mystic life, independent spiritual world, unitive life, surface intelligence, independent spiritual life, subliminal region, transcendental perceptions, divine fecundity, mystic consciousness, mystic type Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Catherine of Siena, John of the Cross, Madame Guyon, Catherine of Genoa, Dark Night, World of Becoming, Francis of Assisi, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Uncreated Light, Purgative Way, Rulman Merswin, Pure Being, Divine Life, Angela of Foligno, Cloud of Unknowing, Jacob Boehme, Divine Love, Presence of God, Beatific Vision, Divine Reality, Eternal Wisdom, God Himself, Divine Wisdom, Eternal Life, Theologia Germanica Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
17
books
cite this book:
See all 17 books citing this book
- A Brief History of Spirituality (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) by Philip Sheldrake in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- A Brief History of Spirituality (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) by Philip Sheldrake in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Women of Wisdom : A Journey of Enlightenment by Women of Vision Through the Ages by Paula Marvelly in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Spaces for the Sacred: Place, Memory, and Identity by Philip Sheldrake in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- By Way of Grace: Moving from Faithfulness to Holiness by Paula Huston in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 17 books citing this book
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