1.3 Mysticism
The word 'mysticism' drives from a Greek root that means, "to close" and this is the meaning it had in the Greek mysteries that were secret religious rituals. A more universal definition is the religious desire of the human soul to experience intimate closeness with the Divine and unite with it. It also means the thought system that grows out of this desire, sometimes giving guidance how to achieve this state of unity. The goal of mystic thought is the union of the human soul with the Divine. This goal is achieved through contemplation and love. In contrast to philosophical knowledge of the Divine, which is based on analogical study of Infinity, mystical knowledge is based on direct and immediate intuition of the Infinite.
Mysticism has many schools and shapes. Sometimes it is speculative, and concentrates on knowledge and nothing further; sometimes it is practical and attempts to guide life and action. Sometimes it is contemplative, and emphasises intelligence; sometimes it is affective and emphasises emotion. It can be Orthodox, and agree with the established religious teachings; it can also be - and many times it is - heterodox, and oppose these teachings.
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