Practical Mysticism

Exact facsimile of the original edition not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Practical Mysticism is a work by one of the foremost 20th century Christian mystics Evelyn Underhill. Her book Mysticism: A Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness is the authoritative text of modern mysticism. This shorter work Practical Mysticism is an abridged version of Underhill's theology and is a perfect starting point for immersion into the subject. It is written to some extent with non-Christians in mind so Underhill is at her simplest here yet her language is still poetic and enjoyable to read. Topics are addressed broadly and Chapter 1 What is Mysticism? is an enlightening place for those unfamiliar with the topic to begin. She invites the reader to become involved in mysticism giving simple examples of how it is relevant to everyday people. Underhill was greatly influenced by mystics such as St. Teresa St. Augustine and Thomas a Kempis and examples from these writers as well as poets like Keats and Whitman are sprinkled throughout the book. A fine place to start before diving into her more intense works Practical Mysticism has captivated generations of readers and is still the premier text for the introductory study of mysticism.