Mysticism: A Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness

Name: Mysticism: A Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness
Author: Evelyn Underhill

Evelyn Underhill (1875–1941) was an English Anglo-Catholic writer and retreat conductor known for her works on Christian mysticism and prayer. Her large study Mysticism (1911) mapped the history of the mystic life and introduced many English readers to the medieval contemplatives. Later works in our library, such as Practical Mysticism and The Life of the Spirit and the Life of To-day, brought her teaching to a wider audience.

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First published: 1911
Category: Devotional
Length: 217k words · about 14 hours
Chapters: 40
Modernized version: In the reader: the Original, the Modernized text in present-day English, or both side by side. On average, the Modernized text keeps about 88% of the original wording.
Narration: 🎧 Volunteer Readers

About this book

Evelyn Underhill's Mysticism, first published in 1911, is a large study of the nature and development of spiritual consciousness, tracing the mystic way through the lives of Christian contemplatives East and West. Underhill maps the stages of awakening, purification, illumination, and union from wide reading and evident sympathy. It remains the best-known English introduction to its subject.

Preface to the Twelfth Edition
Preface to the First Edition
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 · Part 1 🔒
V. Mysticism and Theology · Part 2 🔒
V. Mysticism and Theology · Part 3 🔒
VI. Mysticism and Symbolism 🔒
VII. Mysticism and Magic 🔒
I. Introductory 🔒
II. The Awakening of the Self 🔒
III. The Purification of the Self · Part 1 🔒
III. The Purification of the Self · I. Detachment 🔒
III. The Purification of the Self · 2. Mortification 🔒
IV. The Illumination of the Self · Part 1 🔒
IV. The Illumination of the Self · I. The Consciousness of the Absolute, or “Sense of the Presence of God” 🔒
IV. The Illumination of the Self · 2. The Illuminated Vision of the World 🔒
V. Voices and Visions · Part 1 🔒
V. Voices and Visions · Audition 🔒
V. Voices and Visions · Automatic Script 🔒
VI. Introversion. Part I: Recollection and Qui · Part 1 🔒
VI. Introversion. Part I: Recollection and Qui · Part 2 🔒
VI. Introversion. Part I: Recollection and Qui · Part 3 🔒
VII. Introversion. Part II: Contemplation · Part 1 🔒
VII. Introversion. Part II: Contemplation · Part 2 🔒
VII. Introversion. Part II: Contemplation · Part 3 🔒
VIII. Ecstasy and Rapture 🔒
IX. The Dark Night of the Soul · Part 1 🔒
IX. The Dark Night of the Soul · Part 2 🔒
IX. The Dark Night of the Soul · Part 3 🔒
X. The Unitive Life · Part 1 🔒
X. The Unitive Life · Part 2 🔒
X. The Unitive Life · Part 3 🔒
Conclusion 🔒
Appendix: Historical Sketch of Mysticism 🔒
Bibliography 🔒
Bibliographical Note 🔒