What Is Mysticism

Mysticism is a religious concept, typically defined as the theory and practice of what are called religious ecstasies. Religious ecstasies are broadly defined as religious experiences that take place during alternate states of consciousness. Many rites, legends, ceremonies, myths, ethics, ideas and even magics are associated with these experiences, depending on the religion. The term "mystic" comes from the Greek language, from the noun "mystes," which was originally used to describe a new member of an ancient mystery religion or secret cult.

In the traditional sense, a mystic was someone who tried to obtain a union with their God or idea of God, whether this being was called God, the Infinite or the Absolute. However, today's idea of mysticism is broader, focusing on several types of religious ecstasies or journeys. These might include the quest to attain a state of nothingness or the disappearance of the soul.

Mysticism isn't a religion in and of itself and it isn't limited to one specific religion; rather, mysticism can be found in nearly every major religion practiced around the globe. Many mystics were recorded throughout ancient and medieval Christianity, including St. Teresa of Avila, St. Augustine, Meister Eckhart and his successors, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Christianity deals with the traditional conception of mysticism, where you aim to become one with God (or His incarnation, the Holy Spirit), sometimes called a "spiritual marriage" or "rapture." Although early Christians took on the Greek term "mystic" from the Hellenistic Age, they changed its meaning substantially, with acceptable forms of religious ecstasy replacing the secret cults and mystery religions.

Many other religions also have a history of mysticism. For example, the aim of Hindu and Sufist mystics is similar to the aim of Christian mystics -- a unity with the divine. Buddhist mysticism and Kabbala (an esoteric Jewish mysticism) focus on the concept of achieving a state of nothingness, with Buddhism focusing specifically on meditation as the means of reaching various stages of enlightenment. Shamanism and Daoism are two other religions with documented mystical traditions.