20 Best Books On Mysticism (2023 Update)

Magic and mysticism: an introduction to western esoteric traditions is a concise overview, from antiquity to the present, of all the major western religious esoteric movements. topics covered include alchemy, gnosticism, hermeticism, rosicrucianism, theosophy and many more. magic and mysticism is ideal for students of mysticism and new religious movements, as well as for general readers of metaphysics and esoterica.

From the earliest centuries there has existed a christian theology of mysticism, defining the state which bernard lonergan called a "being in love with god." st. john of the cross wrote such a theology for the sixteenth century, calling it "the science of love." now, william johnston, one of the great spiritual writers of our time, attempts to do the same for the twenty-first century.

Wild mercy is essential reading for anyone ready to awaken the feminine mystic within and birth her loving, creative, and untamed power into the world." "seeds of feminine wisdom that have been quietly germinating underground are now breaking through the surface," writes mirabai starr. "women everywhere are rising to the collective call to step up and repair our broken earth. with wild mercy, mirabai shares the subversive wisdom and fierce compassion of the feminine mystic across cultural boundaries and throughout history. from saints and sages, to goddesses and archetypal energies, to contemporary teachers and seekers—you’ll meet women who blazed a path that will illuminate your own. each chapter explores a different facet of feminine mysticism through a tapestry of teachings, reflections, and stories, along with a practice for integrating the chapter’s themes into your own life. as you journey through these pages, you’ll explore: taking refuge in contemplative practice with st. teresa of avila and the shekinah – longing, embodiment, and union as the heart of feminine spiritual practice with the hindu poet mirabai and mary magdalene – your relationship with the earth, motherhood in all its forms, and a loving call to action alongside gaia and ix chel – community and the web of life with indra, the beguines, and female prophets throughout history – wild, playful, and compassionate mercy with tara and kuan yin – finding joy in creativity and the arts with saraswati and chiyo-ni – more inspiration from archetypal goddesses and amazing women past and present—julian of norwich, the sufi saint rabia, pachamama, sophia, old spider woman, hildegard of bingen, demeter, kali, and morewild mercy provides a much-needed alternative to the models of religion and spirituality that have dominated history. here, mirabai invites you to welcome the wisdom of women back into the collective field where it may transform the human family, heal the ravaged earth, and awaken the divine love in our hearts.

A compact presentation of all the primary texts of kabbalah, elegantly rendered with poetic nuances, exotic imagery, and bold innovation–from one of the foremost authorities on jewish mysticism.

A masterpiece that combines the visions of four great catholic mystics into one coherent story on the life of the blessed virgin mary. based primarily on the famous revelations of ven. anne catherine emmerich and ven. mary of agreda, it also includes many episodes described in the writings of st. bridget of sweden and st. elizabeth of schenau. to read this book, therefore, is to share in the magnificent visions granted to four of the most priviledged souls in the history of the church. in complete harmony with the gospel story, this book reads like a masterfully written novel. it includes such fascinating details as the birth and infancy of mary, her espousal to st. joseph and her assumption into heaven where she was crowned queen of heaven and earth. for young and old alike, the life of mary as seen by the mystics will forever impress the reader with an inspiring and truly unforgettable understanding of the otherwise unknown facts concerning mary and the holy family. imprimatur. 280 pgs, pb

Christian mystics: 108 seers, saints and sages celebrates the many types of mystics, visionaries, wisdom keepers, and non-dualists whose spiritual insight and perceptive teachings have illuminated the christian tradition for the past two thousand years. looking at 108 mystics from biblical times to the present day, this user-friendly guide shows how the spiritual masters of the western tradition provide a variety of paths into the transforming heart of god. the mystics, whose legacy includes sublime poetry, fascinating autobiographies, and potentially life-changing teachings, can help anyone find greater love, purpose, and a deeper sense of god's presence. but the mystics are not a uniform bunch, which is why this book is such an essential guide to their lives, wisdom, and essential teachings. carl mccolman, author of the big book of christian mysticism, organizes the mystics into nine categories: visionaries, confessors, lovers, poets, saints, heretics, wisdom keepers, soul-friends, and unitives. by profiling twelve examples of great mystics and spiritual teachers in each category, the book can help you to learn more about the mystics, and identify those whose writings will be most valuable to you as you pursue your own adventure of falling ever more deeply in love with god.all of the most famous christian mystics are profiled here: figures like teresa of ávila, meister eckhart, julian of norwich, john of the cross, evelyn underhill, thomas merton, and anonymous masters like the authors of classics like the cloud of unknowing or the way of a pilgrim. but the book also will introduce you to many lesser known (but truly wonderful) mystical geniuses, such as beatrice of nazareth, gregory of narek, and coventry patmore. nor does the book shy away from living (or recently living) mystics: visionaries such as howard thurman, sara grant, kenneth leech, and bruno barnhart are all included.this informative volume will appeal to those who buy religious reference books and anyone interested in christian mysticism or western spirituality. but it's more than just a history book or an encyclopedia: christian mystics: 108 seers, saints and sages is a curated celebration of western spiritual wisdom, making it accessible for all seekers today.

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.

John horgan, author of the best-selling the end of science, chronicles the most advanced research into the mechanics–and meaning–of mystical experiences. how do trances, visions, prayer, satori, and other mystical experiences "work"? what induces and defines them? is there a scientific explanation for religious mysteries and transcendent meditation? john horgan investigates a wide range of fields — chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, theology, and more — to narrow the gap between reason and mystical phenomena. as both a seeker and an award-winning journalist, horgan consulted a wide range of experts, including theologian huston smith, spiritual heir to joseph campbell; andrew newberg, the scientist whose quest for the "god module" was the focus of a newsweek cover story; ken wilber, prominent transpersonal psychologist; alexander shulgin, legendary psychedelic drug chemist; and susan blackmore, oxford-educated psychologist, parapsychology debunker, and zen practitioner. horgan explores the striking similarities between "mystical technologies" like sensory deprivation, prayer, fasting, trance, dancing, meditation, and drug trips. he participates in experiments that seek the neurological underpinnings of mystical experiences. and, finally, he recounts his own search for enlightenment — adventurous, poignant, and sometimes surprisingly comic. horgan's conclusions resonate with the controversial climax of the end of science, because, as he argues, the most enlightened mystics and the most enlightened scientists end up in the same place — confronting the imponderable depth of the universe.

Masters, mystics and saints still share their energy and messages. matching the vibration of these teachers with crystals, minerals and stones provides guidance and messages of hope, happiness and well-being. the gemstone guardians are the devic force of the gemstone that add energetic assistance in achieving goals and desires through colour and geometric structure of the stone. on each of the cards contained in this deck is a question for contemplative thought, divine guidance and a positive affirmation. add these cards to angel communication sessions and tarot card readings for added insight and direction. pull a card a day for inspiration and use the affirmation throughout your day. within this deck of 44 cards, gemstones are vibrationally matched with affirming thoughts and a mystic, saint or master teacher for you to use in your daily life. follow the divine guidance and repeat the affirmations from the masters, mystics and saints to transform your reality into joy, wealth, health, protection and happy relationships. · the oracle can be used for both readings and daily inspiration · the oracle is a teaching to obtain information on the gemstones and can, also, be used for gemstone identification. · the masters, saints and ancients messages provide positive thought affirmations.

In popular usage, mysticism typically refers to new age or eastern forms of spirituality. however, the mystical tradition is also an important component of the christian tradition. at its heart–and much like its expression in other faith traditions–christian mysticism is an ancient practice that incorporates meditation, contemplation, worship, philosophy, the quest for personal enlightenment, and the experience of divine presence. this volume is a comprehensive introduction and guide to christian mysticism. it is a big book about a big possibility: the hope of achieving real, blissful, experiential unison with god. among the topics covered here are a general introduction to mysticism, the bible and mysticism, the history and types of christian mysticism, biographical sketches of leading christian mystics, and practical instructions about practicing mysticism today. this is a breathtaking work that explores a form of spirituality that has changed lives over the course of 2,000 years. learning about christian mysticism and how it has been articulated through the centuries will prove inspirational for today's seekers, regardless of the faith tradition. the mystic is not a special kind of person; every person is a special kind of mytic. –william mcnamara

Drawing on experience as an interreligious monk, brother wayne teasdale reveals the power of spirituality and its practical elements. he combines a profound christian faith with an intimate understanding of ancient religious traditions.

From the beginning of time, curiosity has led mankind to question their surroundings. in the search to understand life, the universe, the psyche, consciousness, and god, humans were also inevitably led to question themselves and their own existence. – in seeking to respond to those perennial enigmas and find freedom from sorrow to pursue lasting happiness, some rare humans encountered a deep source of wisdom, realizing that there was something besides their mere five senses. humans thus began their journey in search of the sacred mystical wisdom and realization to unveil what lies beyond. – this is a book centered on mystical practices that make such a discovery possible. here the reader will find detailed mystical practices and meditations that will assist in establishing a suitable mystical routine, from the basic setup to the most advanced practice by which a student can accomplish this ultimate godly realization. the physical embodiment of the divine is also relevant, and that will be addressed. – the mystical practices are divided into primary and secondary phases which include, but are not limited to: 1. attention and awareness2. the mystic breath3. bodily illumination4. the art of relaxation5. breathing techniques6. vital force7. creating and charging mystical amulets8. sacred syllables and mantras9. energy centers and chakras10. awakening the inner vision11. out-of-body exploration12. impregnation of meals13. mystical bath14. subtle noticing15. divine absorption

An irreverent and wide-ranging treatise on building and maintaining a standout brand in business or in life, from the marketing mastermind behind countless iconic booze labels. steven grasse made a name for himself as not only a distiller but also the mind behind beloved brands like hendrick's gin and sailor jerry rum and the guy who made cheap-beer-standbys like narragansett and miller high life cool again. through his work in advertising and marketing, grasse has changed the game in the booze world and become an authority on building an authentic, enduring, and deeply beloved brand. food & wine has called him "the punk-rock prince of small-batch spirits." so how did he do it? through practicing brand mysticism, a mentality for all endeavors based on keeping an open mind, taking risks, and developing authenticity–skills that have benefited him in booze, business, and beyond. in this book, he's sharing this practice with the world. through lessons (big life things that feel like just cool stories), case studies (how did sailor jerry become the punk rock captain morgan?), and magical ingredients (what makes a great message sing), brand mysticism guides you through the steps it takes to channel entrepreneurial spirit into a brand, a business, a creative practice, or a life that breaks with tradition to achieve the remarkable.

This book explores the christian faith from the perspective of evolutionary spirituality. it looks at the life and teaching of jesus through this lens. the author asserts that evolution is the fundamental dynamic of our universe, transcending biology, to include cultural and consciousness. jesus himself was tapped into a sacred evolutionary current to transcend, yet include, his own religious lineage. this urge for self and cultural transcendence therefore is an essential element of the christian faith: there is no final iteration of the christian faith. everything, including the christian faith, is in the process of transcending itself.

2022 choice outstanding academic titlethe purpose of this book is to fill a gap in contemporary mystical studies: an overview of the basic ways to approach mystical experiences and mysticism. it discusses the problem of definitions of "mystical experiences" and "mysticism" and advances characterizations of "mystical experiences" in terms of certain altered states of consciousness and "mysticism" in terms of encompassing ways of life centered on such experiences and states. types of mystical experiences, enlightened states, paths, and doctrines are discussed, as is the relation of mystical experiences and mysticism to religions and cultures. the approaches of constructivism, contextualism, essentialism, and perennialism are presented. themes in the history of the world's major mystical traditions are set forth. approaches to mystical phenomena in sociology, psychology, gender studies, and neuroscience are introduced. basic philosophical issues related to whether mystical experiences are veridical and mystical claims valid, mystics' problems of language, art, and morality are laid out. older and newer comparative approaches in religious studies and in christian theology are discussed, along with postmodernist objections. the intended audience is undergraduates and the general public interested in the general issues related to mysticism.

Atma books june 1996. trade trade. book condition is good or better unless otherwise noted. paperbacks especially mass market paperbacks will have spine creasing and may have age toned pages and curled covers. binding will be intact no major splits unless otherwise noted. any discrepancy between what is described and what is pulled will be noted in an email.

Atma books june 1996. trade trade. book condition is good or better unless otherwise noted. paperbacks especially mass market paperbacks will have spine creasing and may have age toned pages and curled covers. binding will be intact no major splits unless otherwise noted. any discrepancy between what is described and what is pulled will be noted in an email.

World-class spell collector, fortune teller, psychicpractitioner, spirit worker as well as independent scholar, writer, and teacher,judika illes offers acomprehensive encyclopedia of the sacred, helpful mystics, saints, andsages from a large variety of religious traditions who can, whenvenerated, produce miracles for the reader. illes,author of the encyclopedia of 5000 spells and the encyclopedia ofspirits, surpasses herself in this peerlessly expansive guide for allinterested in folklore, mythology, and history, as well as those looking forguidance about accessing the power of saints. illes’sthe encyclopedia of mystics, saints, & sages is the mostcomprehensive, accessible, and effective guide available anywhere.

Included in this collection of medieval writings are ray petry's careful essays on the province and character of mysticism and the history of mysticism from plato to bernard of clairvaux.long recognized for the quality of its translations, introductions, explanatory notes, and indexes, the library of christian classics provides scholars and students with modern english translations of some of the most significant christian theological texts in history. through these works–each written prior to the end of the sixteenth century–contemporary readers are able to engage the ideas that have shaped christian theology and the church through the centuries. this volume of the library of christian classics presents a collection of sources marking the culmination of mystical thought within medieval christianity. the works of fifteen medieval mystics are included in addition to careful essays discussing and defining mysticism in its cultural and historical context. 424 pages. softcover from westminster john knox press.the library of christian classics has long been acclaimed for its quality translations, introductions, explanatory notes, and indexes. the series ensures that modern english translations of some of the most significant christian theological works written before the end of the sixteenth century are available for scholars and students, allowing contemporary readers to mine the theological riches of the christian church though the centuries.

Included in this collection of medieval writings are ray petry's careful essays on the province and character of mysticism and the history of mysticism from plato to bernard of clairvaux.long recognized for the quality of its translations, introductions, explanatory notes, and indexes, the library of christian classics provides scholars and students with modern english translations of some of the most significant christian theological texts in history. through these works–each written prior to the end of the sixteenth century–contemporary readers are able to engage the ideas that have shaped christian theology and the church through the centuries. this volume of the library of christian classics presents a collection of sources marking the culmination of mystical thought within medieval christianity. the works of fifteen medieval mystics are included in addition to careful essays discussing and defining mysticism in its cultural and historical context. 424 pages. softcover from westminster john knox press.the library of christian classics has long been acclaimed for its quality translations, introductions, explanatory notes, and indexes. the series ensures that modern english translations of some of the most significant christian theological works written before the end of the sixteenth century are available for scholars and students, allowing contemporary readers to mine the theological riches of the christian church though the centuries.