Global Mystical Tradition

Mysticism is an element of religion or spirituality which emphasizes direct apprehension of the divine, whether the divine is understood from a theistic or non-theistic perspective. The author argues that such "e;mystical"e; experiences can be gained through the practice of specialized techniques of spiritual transformation, techniques which have been passed down through the ages by Traditions of Masters (or "e;Holy Traditions"e;). These esoteric traditions are made up of masters and students, who share secret doctrines and rituals; and they can be found in cultures from the Upper Paleolithic Period through the present. The Global Mystical Tradition studies these traditions, their mystical experiences, and practices, from a global syncretistic perspective, noting similarities and in some cases interaction between the "e;Holy Traditions"e; of different cultures.