"Mysticism is popularly known as becoming one with God or the Absolute..."
The study of spiritual experiences and practices.
Mystical Experience: Refers to an encounter or perceived experience with a divine being, the universe or one's own inner self that is beyond the ordinary understanding of life.
Religious Traditions: The study of various religious traditions such as Christianity, Sufism, Kabbalah, Buddhism, Hinduism or Taoism, and how they relate to mystical practice.
Symbolism: The study of symbols and their meanings in different mystical traditions. Symbols can include numbers, colors, shapes, or animals that represent spiritual truths or concepts.
Meditation: Refers to various practices that aim to still the mind and reach a state of consciousness that is conducive to mystical experience. It is a way to quiet the mind and focus on one's inner self.
Contemplation: Refers to the process of reflecting on a particular idea, symbol or concept, in order to gain a deeper understanding of its spiritual significance or meaning.
Asceticism: Refers to a lifestyle or practice that encourages self-discipline, renunciation of worldly pleasures and material possessions, and a focus on spiritual pursuits.
Ecstasy: Refers to states of consciousness that are characterized by intense emotions or a sense of oneness with the divine. Mystics often seek to attain ecstasy to experience a direct connection with the divine.
Enlightenment: Refers to a state of consciousness that is characterized by a deep understanding of spiritual truths and a sense of oneness with the divine. Mystics often seek to attain enlightenment as the ultimate goal of their spiritual practice.
Divine Love: Refers to the idea that the ultimate goal of mystical practice is to experience a deep and unbreakable connection with the divine, characterized by an overwhelming sense of love and oneness.
"...may refer to any kind of ecstasy or altered state of consciousness which is given a religious or spiritual meaning. It may also refer to the attainment of insight in ultimate or hidden truths, and to human transformation supported by various practices and experiences."
"...mysticism referred to the biblical, liturgical, spiritual, and contemplative dimensions of early and medieval Christianity."
"...meaning 'to close' or 'to conceal.'"
"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.'"
"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'."
"...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'."
"The perennial position is now 'largely dismissed by scholars'..."
"...most scholars using a contextualist approach..."
"...which considers the cultural and historical context."
"The biblical, liturgical, spiritual, and contemplative dimensions of early and medieval Christianity."
"A broad range of beliefs and ideologies related to 'extraordinary experiences and states of mind.'"
"The attainment of insight in ultimate or hidden truths, and to human transformation supported by various practices and experiences."
"...meaning 'to close' or 'to conceal'," hinting at the hidden nature of mystical experiences.
"...various practices and experiences" support human transformation in mysticism.
"...meaning the aim at the 'union with the Absolute, the Infinite, or God'."
"...valuing 'mystical experience' as a key element of mysticism."
"The definition of mysticism grew to include a broad range of beliefs and ideologies related to 'extraordinary experiences and states of mind.'"
"...most scholars using a contextualist approach, which considers the cultural and historical context."