Books for mysticisim
 

Does anyone have any good recommendations for mysticism ?

That is a too vague request ...

Hello BlossomingSoul - I just received a notice about this book being publihsed in my email inbox - haven't read it and so can't recommend it - but the blurb about it sounded like the book might be quite pithy - I looked it up - here's a link to a page that has info (including a table of contents and the first few chapters) about it - thought you might find it interesting:

https://books.google.com/books/about...page&q&f=false

Are you referring to the Kabala?

Here's a mainly incomplete list of what mysticism could be.

Transcendance, the paranormal, spiritual experience (whatever that might be), religious experience (Wtmb), other-worldly, supernatural, occult, metaphysical, esoteric, arcane, and so on.

My Encarta World English Dictionary defines mysticism as: The belief that personal communication or union with the divine is achieved through intuition, faith, ecstasy or insight rather than through rational thought.

So where do you want to start?

Hi guys, sorry i wasn’t specific with my question. Honestly, i know i am drawn to mysticism but i have no idea where to start. So any good books for a starting point will be great. Thanks.

What is the difference between esoterism and occultism?

There is some overlap between esotericism and occultism. Perhaps we can say that esotericism concerns understanding the theory while occultism relates to applying the theory in practice. But the difference is not clear-cut.

Traditionally esotericism is inner knowledge, revealed to the select few. The opposite is exotericism, or outer knowledge, known to the general public.

This may apply to religious philosophies such as Buddhism. Exoteric Buddhism is that which is understood and practised by ordinary people. Esoteric Buddhism would refer to knowledge and practices revealed to those deemed ready for such knowledge.

Occultism refers to that which is hidden, such as learning to work with the hidden laws of nature to manipulate energies for particular purposes.

The occultist works on the mental plane, using concentration and visualisation to generate thought-forms. These thought-forms then manifest on the astral plane where they are imbued with the magnetic vitality of the emotions before manifesting on the etheric planes. If the preceding work has been done properly and the timing is right then the thought-forms of the occultist manifest in the physical world.

Mysticism traditionally concerns the path of seeking union with the Divine, whatever form that might take. The mystical approach is often based on emotional yearning which is a reflection of spiritual aspiration.

Which brings us back to blossomingsoull97's question about books on mysticism. Which aspects of mysticism are you drawn to? Western mysticism (which is often based on Christianity)? Eastern mysticism? You may want to look into the Sufis - "The Way of the Sufis" by Idries Shah is a good place to start.

Peace.

What exactly is your goal? Learn about paranormal, ghosts, astrology, ESP, psychics, remote viewing? Which first please? We have little to direct you to go on.

Since you didn't respond specifically to my post, BlossomingSoull97, I thought there was a possibility you may have not been enticed enough to click on the link I provided because I hadn't specifically quoted the blurb about the book which was in the above-reference email come on.

Here's a copy/paste of the blurb:

What is a mystic? Bruce Epperly defines mystics as people who see holiness in everyday life. We can be mystics without leaving our families, disengaging from daily responsibilities, becoming a priest, or joining a monastic order. Epperly shows how we can experience the living God in the midst of daily life and never again take everyday events for granted.

Bruce Epperly introduces readers to 12 individuals or groups of mystics through the ages: St. Francis of Assisi, the desert mothers and fathers, Benedict of Nursia, the Celtic mystics, Hildegard of Bingen, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Brother Lawrence, the Baal Shem Tov, Howard Thurman, Etty Hillesum, Rumi, and Julian of Norwich.

Each chapter describes each mystic’s life, spiritual experiences, and worldview and provides spiritual exercises to help us experience the mystic firsthand. Through his conversational, down-to-earth approach, Epperly inspires us to realize that we can encounter God wherever we are, whatever we are doing.

And here's the link, again:

https://books.google.com/books/about...page&q&f=false

Enjoy ... :D