Definition: Mysticism

From New World Encyclopedia
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Etymology

From mystic + -ism, from Old French mistique (mysterious, full of mystery), from Latin mysticus (mystical, mystic, of secret rites), from Ancient Greek μυστικός or mustikós (secret, mystic), from μύστης or mústēs (one who has been initiated, initiate) from μῡ́ω or 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.

Noun

mysticism (countable and uncountable, plural mysticisms)

  1. The beliefs, ideas, or thoughts of mystics.
  2. A doctrine of direct communication or spiritual intuition of divine truth.
  3. A transcendental union of soul or mind with the divine reality or divinity.
  4. Obscure thoughts and speculations.

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