Practical Mysticism

"Mysticism is the art of union with Reality. The mystic is a person who has attained that union in greater or less degree; or who aims at and believes in such attainment." So writes Evelyn Underhill, author of Practical Mysticism. In this little book, she explains precisely what that means and how we can put it to use in everyday life.

In surprisingly timeless terms but under the guise of "Christian Mysticism," Underhill describes in 1914 what could rightly be called "secular mindfulness" today. She doesn't use much Christian terminology, instead preferring words that may be considered "new age," which allows readers to explore the mystical aspects of their own worldview without betraying their deeply held beliefs.

Practical Mysticism is not a guidebook for mystical practice, although it does provide some tips along the way. What it does give is an introduction for the sufficiently motivated; those who see (or want to see) the world in a different way.