Contents

*
Evelyn Underhill (b. 6 Dec. 1875, d. 15 Jun 1941) was an English Anglo-Catholic writer who wrote extensively on Christian mysticism.
A pacifist, novelist, and philosopher, she was widely read during the first half of the 20th century.
This work, Mysticism, is not a textbook of the subject.
She disagrees with William James'
The Varieties of Religious Experience with his four-part division of the mystic state (ineffability, noetic quality, transcience, and passivity).
She sees Bucke's Cosmic Consciousness as only the gateway to Unitative Living, about halfway there by her view (p. 193).


Underhill maps out her own view of the mystic's journey into five parts:
"Awakening of Self,"
"Purgation of Self,"
"Illumination,"
"the Dark Night of the Soul," and
"the Unitative life."
Underhill is focussed on mysticism in Christianity but she also mentions Sufism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other belief systems.
This has long been considered a crucial work on the subject of Mysticism, and continues to guide seekers a century later.--J.B. Hare

Title Page

Preface to the Twelfth Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Part One: The Mystic Fact


Part One: The Mystic Fact

I. The Point of Departure

II. Mysticism and Vitalism

III. Mysticism and Psychology

IV. The Characteristics of Mysticism

V. Mysticism and Theology

VI. Mysticism and Symbolism

VII. Mysticism and Magic

Part Two: The Mystic Way


Part Two: The Mystic Way

I. Introductory

II. The Awakening of the Self

III. The Purification of the Self

IV. The Illumination of the Self

V. Voices and Visions

VI. Introversion. Part I: Recollection and Qui

VII. Introversion. Part II: Contemplation

VIII. Ecstasy and Rapture

IX. The Dark Night of the Soul

X. The Unitive Life

Conclusion

Appendix: Historical Sketch of Mysticism

Bibliography

Bibliographical Note

Index

Indexes


Index of Scripture References

Latin Words and Phrases

French Words and Phrases

Index of Pages of the Print Edition