Mysticism is the philosophy and practice of a direct experience of God. Although it needs to be born in mind that 'experience' is a hotly debated term in the discussion on mysticism, and experience understood simply as a psychological state or event may be contested. In the Christian context it is traditionally practiced through pursuit of the three disciplines of prayer (including Christian meditation and contemplation), fasting (including other forms of abstinence and self-denial), and alms-giving, all discussed by Jesus in the Sermon on t ...

Including:

• Christian mysticism - Biblical foundations
• Christian mysticism - The Practice of Christian Mysticism
• Christian mysticism - Christian mystics
• Christian mysticism - Bibliography
• Christian mysticism - Classics

Read more here: » Christian mysticism: Encyclopedia - Christian mysticism

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Christian mysticism, Christian mysticism - Biblical foundations, Christian mysticism - The Practice of Christian Mysticism, Christian mysticism - Christian mystics, Christian mysticism - Bibliography, Christian mysticism - Classics

Read more here: » Christian mysticism: Encyclopedia II - Christian mysticism - The Practice of Christian Mysticism

The tradition of Christian Mysticism is as old as Christianity itself. At least three texts from the New Testament set up themes that recur throughout the recorded thought of the Christian mystics. The first, Galatians 2:20, says that: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV) The second impo ...

See also:

Christian mysticism, Christian mysticism - Biblical foundations, Christian mysticism - The Practice of Christian Mysticism, Christian mysticism - Christian mystics, Christian mysticism - Bibliography, Christian mysticism - Classics

Read more here: » Christian mysticism: Encyclopedia II - Christian mysticism - Biblical foundations

Mysticism, from the Greek μυω (muo, "to conceal"), is the pursuit of achieving communion with or conscious awareness of ultimate reality, the divine, spiritual truth, or God through direct, personal experience (intuition or insight) rather than rational thought; the belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible through personal experience; or the belief that such experience is a genuine and important source of knowledge. In the Hellenistic world, ...

Including:

• Mysticism - Types of mystical experience
• Mysticism - Mysticism and epistemology
• Mysticism - Subjectivity and mysticism
• Mysticism - Self-transcending self-discovery
• Mysticism - Mysticism and syncretism
• Mysticism - On the difficulty of defining mysticism
• Mysticism - Theosophy and Occultism
• Mysticism - Examples in major traditions
• Mysticism - Hindu mystics
• Mysticism - Chinese mystics
• Mysticism - Christian mystics
• Mysticism - Islamic mystics
• Mysticism - Jewish mystics
• Mysticism - Other mystics

Read more here: » Mysticism: Encyclopedia - Mysticism

Phillipe de Vos is a Sufi Master who visited India and shared the Sufi way at the Oneness Festival February 2004. "Open your eyes – you where never enemies!" That is the call for peace from Phillipe De Vos.

Read more here: » Call for Peace between Moslems and Hindus

Quietism is a term with multiple meanings and definitions. Quietism is a Christian philosophy that swept through France, Italy and Spain during the 17th century, but it had much earlier origins. The mystics known as Quietists insist with more or less emphasis on intellectual stillness and interior passivity as essential conditions of perfection; and all have been officially proscribed as heresy in very explicit terms by the Roman Catholic Church. Quietism, according to Schopenhauer ...

Including:

• Quietism - Christian philosophy
• Quietism - Origins of Christian philosophy
• Quietism - Theology
• Quietism - Schopenhauer

Read more here: » Quietism: Encyclopedia - Quietism

The Zohar (Hebrew זהר "Splendor, radiance") is widely considered the most important work of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. It is a mystical commentary on the Torah (the five books of Moses), written in medieval Aramaic and medieval Hebrew. It contains a mystical discussion of the nature of God, the origin and structure of the universe, the nature of souls, sin, redemption, good and evil, and related topics. The Zohar is not one book, but a group of books. These books include scriptural interpretations as well as material on the ...

Including:

• Zohar - Origin
• Zohar - Acceptance of authenticity
• Zohar - Rejection of authenticity
• Zohar - Mysticism
• Zohar - Pardes and Biblical exegesis
• Zohar - Effects on Judaism
• Zohar - Influence on Christian mysticism
• Zohar - Appendices and additions

Read more here: » Zohar: Encyclopedia - Zohar

Esoteric Christianity refers to the occult study and the mystic living of the esoteric knowledge related to what adherents view as the "inner teachings" of early Christianity, seen as a Mystery religion. The term is thought by some to be originally associated with the Essenes and the Rosicrucians. Some modern-day practitioners believe that the foundational teachings of Esoteric Christianity were publicly presented to the world in the early 20th century (1) in an effort to establish a future universal religion as mankind, with a ...

Including:

• Esoteric Christianity - Biblical foundations
• Esoteric Christianity - Biblical counterpoints
• Esoteric Christianity - 20th century Writings

Read more here: » Esoteric Christianity: Encyclopedia - Esoteric Christianity

Flagellation is the act of whipping (Latin flagellum, "whip") the human body. Specialised implements for it include rods, switches, and the cat-o-nine-tails. Flagellation - Disciplinary use and torture. Flogging is an approximate synonym that was probably derived from flagellum in the British navy, where flogging was a common disciplinary measure that became associated with a seaman's manly disregard for pain. Flagellation probably originated in the Near East, but quickly spread ...

Including:

• Flagellation - Disciplinary use and torture
• Flagellation - Australian penal colonies
• Flagellation - Slavery
• Flagellation - Association with religion
• Flagellation - Christianity and Islam
• Flagellation - Ecstatics and Mystics
• Flagellation - Erotic use
• Flagellation - References and further reading

Read more here: » Flagellation: Encyclopedia - Flagellation

Mystic may refer to: Mystic BBS, a bulletin board software with integrated telnet capabilities. Mysticism, the belief in realities beyond perceptual and/or intellectual understanding. Christian mysticism Mystic (rapper), a rapper. Mystic (Mustang), a uniquely colored 1996 Ford Cobra. Mystic, Connecticut, a historic seaport and tourist center. Other related archivesChristian mysticism, Mystic (Mustang), Mystic (rapper), Mystic BB

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Christian meditation is a form of quiet (but not necessarily silent) contemplation often associated with prayer or scripture study. It is rooted in the Bible, which directs its readers to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God commands his people to meditate on his word day and night to instill obedience. The psalmist says that "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). The Bible ...

Including:

• Christian meditation - History
• Christian meditation - Theology of Christian meditation
• Christian meditation - Christian meditation: many strands

Read more here: » Christian meditation: Encyclopedia - Christian meditation

Christian mysticism - Classics. St. John of the Cross: Ascent of Mount Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul St. Teresa: Interior Castle Meister Eckhart: German and Latin sermons Jan van Ruysbroeck: The Adornment of Spiritual Marriage Anon.: Cloud of Unknowing Anon.: Theologia Germanica St.Ignatius of Loyola: Spiritual Exercises William Law: Works George Fox: The JournalSee also:

Christian mysticism, Christian mysticism - Biblical foundations, Christian mysticism - The Practice of Christian Mysticism, Christian mysticism - Christian mystics, Christian mysticism - Bibliography, Christian mysticism - Classics

Read more here: » Christian mysticism: Encyclopedia II - Christian mysticism - Bibliography

The enthusiasm felt for the Zohar was shared by many Christian scholars, such as Pico de Mirandola, Reuchlin, Ægidius of Viterbo, etc., all of whom believed that the book contained proofs of the truth of Christianity. They were led to this belief by the analogies existing between some of the teachings of the Zohar and certain Christian dogmas, such as the fall and redemption of man, and the dogma of the Trinity, which seems to be expressed in the Zohar in the following terms: "The Ancient of Days has three heads. He reveals himself in three ...

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Zohar, Zohar - Origin, Zohar - Acceptance of authenticity, Zohar - Rejection of authenticity, Zohar - Mysticism, Zohar - Pardes and Biblical exegesis, Zohar - Effects on Judaism, Zohar - Influence on Christian mysticism, Zohar - Appendices and additions

Read more here: » Zohar: Encyclopedia II - Zohar - Influence on Christian mysticism

Geoffrey K. Mondello (see References below) believes that a mystical experience of God is real and provable, and is possible due to the claimed fact that God exists. He holds that given the reality and logic of writers such as St. John of the Cross, religious mystical experience is not irrational exuberance but is rather "a profoundly rational experience" with consequences for the structure of knowledge. A dimension of this influence on knowledge is the extent to which the purgative process rectifies our relationship to God which "has ...

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Prayer in Christianity, Prayer in Christianity - Liturgical, Prayer in Christianity - Seasonal prayers, Prayer in Christianity - Prayer to saints, Prayer in Christianity - Prayer for the dead, Prayer in Christianity - Prayerbooks, Prayer in Christianity - Vocal, Prayer in Christianity - Meditative, Prayer in Christianity - Prayer of recollection, Prayer in Christianity - Contemplative prayer, Prayer in Christianity - Charismatic prayer Speaking in Tougues, Prayer in Christianity - A Christian philosophy of prayer, Prayer in Christianity - Epistemological issues

Read more here: » Prayer in Christianity: Encyclopedia II - Prayer in Christianity - Epistemological issues

The Zohar assumes four kinds of Biblical exegesis: Peshat ("simple/literal meaning"), Remez ("hint/allusion"), Derash ("interpretative/anagogical), and Sod ("secret/mystic"). The initial letters of the words Peshat, Remez, Derash, and Sod form together the word PaRDeS ("paradise/orchard"), which became the designation for the four ...

See also:

Zohar, Zohar - Origin, Zohar - Acceptance of authenticity, Zohar - Rejection of authenticity, Zohar - Mysticism, Zohar - Pardes and Biblical exegesis, Zohar - Effects on Judaism, Zohar - Influence on Christian mysticism, Zohar - Appendices and additions

Read more here: » Zohar: Encyclopedia II - Zohar - Pardes and Biblical exegesis

The progression from vocal, to meditative, to contemplative prayer is not a straight road, nor does the Christian travel in one direction. Rather, the soul enters into contemplation, then returns to reflect in a more discursive vein, and may suffer from distractions at any point along the way. This stage of prayer, the mystics teach, is one into which God conducts the soul. The person praying cannot will to enter into contemplation. A modern exponent of the details is Fr. Thomas Dubay, who has a number of books and videos about this subject. ...

See also:

Prayer in Christianity, Prayer in Christianity - Liturgical, Prayer in Christianity - Seasonal prayers, Prayer in Christianity - Prayer to saints, Prayer in Christianity - Prayer for the dead, Prayer in Christianity - Prayerbooks, Prayer in Christianity - Vocal, Prayer in Christianity - Meditative, Prayer in Christianity - Prayer of recollection, Prayer in Christianity - Contemplative prayer, Prayer in Christianity - Charismatic prayer Speaking in Tougues, Prayer in Christianity - A Christian philosophy of prayer, Prayer in Christianity - Epistemological issues

Read more here: » Prayer in Christianity: Encyclopedia II - Prayer in Christianity - Contemplative prayer

The Zohar was lauded by many rabbis because it opposed religious formalism, stimulated one's imagination and emotions, and for many people helped reinvigorate the experience of prayer. In many places prayer had become a mere external religious exercise, while prayer was supposed to be a means of transcending earthly affairs and placing oneself in union with God. The Zohar was censured by many rabbis because it propagated many superstitious beliefs, and produced a host of mystical dreamers, whose over-heated imaginations peopled the wo ...

See also:

Zohar, Zohar - Origin, Zohar - Acceptance of authenticity, Zohar - Rejection of authenticity, Zohar - Mysticism, Zohar - Pardes and Biblical exegesis, Zohar - Effects on Judaism, Zohar - Influence on Christian mysticism, Zohar - Appendices and additions

Read more here: » Zohar: Encyclopedia II - Zohar - Effects on Judaism

Hitler claimed that during his time served in WWI that he had a religious awakening, specifically around when he was temporarily blinded by an enemy gas attack. Nazi mysticism - Hitler's Odinist Poem. In 1915, while serving in the German Army on the Western Front, Hitler wrote the following esoteric poem mentioning the pre-Christian Germanic deity Wotan: "Ich gehe manchmal in rauhen Nächten Zur Wotanseiche in den stillen Hain, Mit dunklen Mächten einen Bund zu flechten -See also:

Nazi mysticism, Nazi mysticism - Overview, Nazi mysticism - Central beliefs, Nazi mysticism - Early influences, Nazi mysticism - Theozoology, Nazi mysticism - Ariosophy, Nazi mysticism - Armanism, Nazi mysticism - The Thule Society, Nazi mysticism - The Vril Society, Nazi mysticism - General Karl Haushofer, Nazi mysticism - Hitler's WWI Experience, Nazi mysticism - Hitler's Odinist Poem, Nazi mysticism - Esoteric Hitlerism, Nazi mysticism - Origin, Nazi mysticism - Prayer to Hitler, Nazi mysticism - Julius Evola, Nazi mysticism - Savitri Devi, Nazi mysticism - Miguel Serrano, Nazi mysticism - Ahnenerbe, Nazi mysticism - Research and expeditions, Nazi mysticism - Nazi German Moon Base, Nazi mysticism - Suppression of secret societies, Nazi mysticism - Artur Dinter, Nazi mysticism - Mysticism in modern Neo-Nazism, Nazi mysticism - Nazi mysticism and modern pseudoscience, Nazi mysticism - In fiction, Nazi mysticism - Quotes, Nazi mysticism - References, Nazi mysticism - External links

Read more here: » Nazi mysticism: Encyclopedia II - Nazi mysticism - Hitler's WWI Experience

According to Gershom Scholem, most of the Zohar was written in an exalted style of Aramaic that was spoken in Palestine during the second century of the modern era. The Zohar first appeared in Spain in the 13th century, and was published by a Jewish writer named Moses de Leon. He ascribed this work to a rabbi of the second century, Simeon ben Yohai. Jewish historiography holds that during a time of Roman persecution, Rabbi Simeon hid in a cave for 13 years, studying the Torah with his son, Elazar. [1] During this time he is said to have been ins ...

See also:

Zohar, Zohar - Origin, Zohar - Acceptance of authenticity, Zohar - Rejection of authenticity, Zohar - Mysticism, Zohar - Pardes and Biblical exegesis, Zohar - Effects on Judaism, Zohar - Influence on Christian mysticism, Zohar - Appendices and additions

Read more here: » Zohar: Encyclopedia II - Zohar - Origin

The Zohar is not considered complete without the addition of certain appendixes, which are often attributed either to the same author, or to some of his immediate disciples. These supplementary portions are almost always printed as part of the text with separate titles, or in separate columns. They are as follows: Sifra di-Ẓeni'uta, consisting of five chapters, in which are chiefly discussed the questions involved in the Creation, such as the transition from the infinite to the finite, that from absolute unity to multif ...

See also:

Zohar, Zohar - Origin, Zohar - Acceptance of authenticity, Zohar - Rejection of authenticity, Zohar - Mysticism, Zohar - Pardes and Biblical exegesis, Zohar - Effects on Judaism, Zohar - Influence on Christian mysticism, Zohar - Appendices and additions

Read more here: » Zohar: Encyclopedia II - Zohar - Appendices and additions