Mysticism Meaning
/ˈmɪs.tɪˌsɪz.əm/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe beliefs, ideas, or thoughts of mystics.
nounA doctrine of direct communication or spiritual intuition of divine truth.
Sentence Examples
Those times were characterized by their mysticism.
A muddy stream of mysticism is inundating the consciousness of the British and American bourgeoisie.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The quiet monk spent many years studying the ancient teachings of ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The author's latest book explores the elements of ____ found in various several religions, focusing on the search for a direct experience of God.
Word Origin & History
From mystic + -ism, from Old French mistique (“mysterious, full of mystery”), from Latin mysticus (“mystical, mystic, of secret rites”), from Ancient Greek μυστικός (mustikós, “secret, mystic”), from μύστης (mústēs, “one who has been initiated, initiate”) from μῡ́ω (mū́ō, “to close one's lips or eyes; initiate into the mysteries”). Compare Asturian misticismu, Catalan misticisme, French mysticisme, German Mystizismus, Italian misticismo, Portuguese misticismo, Sicilian misticisimu, Spanish misticismo.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In the history of Christian mysticism the problem how to discriminate between such messages and experiences as were really divine miracles, and such others as the demon in his malice was able to counterfeit, thus making the religious person twofold more the child of hell he was before, has always been a difficult one to solve, needing all the sagacity and experience of the best directors of conscience."
— 1902, William James, “Lecture I”, in The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature […] , New York, N.Y.; London: Longmans, Green, and Co. […], →OCLC:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The quiet monk spent many years studying the ancient teachings of ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The author's latest book explores the elements of ____ found in various several religions, focusing on the search for a direct experience of God.