The Mystics

What is mysticism? The question continues to be the subject of fierce debate. Some argue that all mystical experience is the same - it is an innate human ability - while others insist that the nature of mystical experience is highly conditioned by the cultural and religious background of the mystic. There is however no disagreement about the identity of the mystics themselves. In this book william Harmless offers a highly readable introduction to the mystics and their message. Their message he says centers on three topics: who God is how we meet God in prayer; and why the human heart is at once so deep so beautiful so selfish and so hard to fathom. By introducing students and general reders to these figures he hopes to stimulate reflection on these great questions and deeper exploration of the world''s mystical traditions.