Literary Relevance of Mysticism
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Abstract
Mysticism is a term so irresponsibly applied in English Literature that it has become the first duty of those
who use it to explain what they mean by it. The Concise Oxford Dictionary (1911), after defining a mystic as
“one who believes in spiritual apprehension of truths beyond the understanding” adds, “Whence mysticism.”
Whatever maybe the precise force of the remarks in the brackets, it is unquestionably true that mysticism is
often used in a semi- contemptuous way to vaguely denote any kind of occultism or spiritualism or any
especially curious or fantastic views about God and the universe. My paper aims towards justifying the
relevance of mysticism in Literary works throughout the centuries with special focus on the old English
Literature.
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Article Details
Mysticism, Transcendentalism, Metaphysics
Tradition and St. John of the
Cross. London: Burns and Oates, 1954.
Almond, Philip C. Mystical experience, and religious
doctrine: an investigation of the
study of mysticism in world religions. New York: Mouton,
1982.
Bishko, Charles Julian. Studies in Medieval Spanish
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Bishop, Donald H. Mysticism and the Mystical Experience:
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Selinsgrove: Susquehanna University Press, 1995.
Chittick, William C. The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual
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Albany: State University of New York Press, 1983.
Collins, Roger. Early Medieval Spain: Unity in Diversity
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McGinn, Bernard. The foundations of mysticism. New
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McGinn, Bernard. The growth of mysticism. New York:
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