Definition
The pursuit of direct, personal communion with the divine or ultimate reality through meditation, contemplation, or spiritual experience, rather than through intellectual study or organized religion. It emphasizes inner experience and the transcendent nature of existence.
Example Usage
Her interest in Eastern mysticism led her to spend a year in meditation at a Buddhist monastery.
Origin
From Greek 'mystikos,' meaning 'secret' or 'mysterious,' referring to sacred rites known only to initiated members.
Fun Fact
Mysticism appears across virtually all major world religions, from Christian Sufism to Hindu Advaita Vedanta to Jewish Kabbalah.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
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