Practical Mysticism

Evelyn Underhill was one of the greatest spiritual writers of the twentieth century. For her, true mysticism is, first of all, active and practical, an organic life process in which the whole self is engaged, rather than simply an intellectual apprehension. Underhill’s little book on the topic deserves to be read since it is still used in most courses that discuss mysticism and still attracts contemporary spiritual seekers. In this work, she explores meditation, spirituality, mindfulness, recollection, contemplation and mystical life.

Begin with Evelyn Underhill a journey of peace today on the path to a better, more balanced life.

Excerpt: “Therefore it is to a practical mysticism that the practical man is here invited: to a training of his latent faculties, a bracing and brightening of his languid consciousness, an emancipation from the fetters of appearance, a turning of his attention to new levels of the world. Thus he may become aware of the universe that the spiritual artist is always trying to disclose to the race. This amount of mystical perception---this 'ordinary contemplation', as the specialist call it,---is possible to all men: without it, they are not wholly alive. It is a natural human activity, no more involving the great powers and sublime experiences of the mystical saints and philosophers than the ordinary enjoyment of music involves the special creative powers of the great musician.”

Contents:

PREFACE

CHAPTER I. WHAT IS MYSTICISM?

CHAPTER II. THE WORLD OF REALITY

CHAPTER III. THE PREPARATION OF THE MYSTIC

CHAPTER IV. MEDITATION AND RECOLLECTION

CHAPTER V. SELF-ADJUSTMENT

CHAPTER VI. LOVE AND WILL

CHAPTER VII. THE FIRST FORM OF CONTEMPLATION

CHAPTER VIII. THE SECOND FORM OF CONTEMPLATION

CHAPTER IX. THE THIRD FORM OF CONTEMPLATION

CHAPTER X. THE MYSTICAL LIFE