The practice of those who are initiated into the mysteries, the practice of putting oneself into direct relation with God, the Absolute, or any unifying principle of life. There are two general tendencies in the speculation of mystics—to regard God as outside the soul, which rises to God by successive stages, or to regard God as dwelling within the soul, to be found by delving deeper into one's own reality. The contemplative path to union conventionally requires a series of steps involving purgation, illumination, and increase of spiritual love. Various rituals may assist the process. The language of mysticism is difficult and usually symbolic; biographies and autobiographies of mystics are the major sources for direct study (for example, those of such mystics as St. Theresa of Ávila; St. John of the Cross; Jakob Boehme; and Aurobindo Ghose). Although mysticism is inseparably linked with religion, the term itself is used very broadly in English, being extended to magic, occultism, or the esoteric. Mysticism is encountered in Greek Neo-platonism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Taoism. 1

1 The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia is licensed from Columbia University Press. Copyright © 1995 by Columbia University Press. All rights reserved