Mysticism

Mysticism, experience of a transcendental union in this life with God, the divine, through meditation and other disciplines. Cleansing away of physical desires, purification of will, and enlightenment of mind are the stages along the path to unification. Mystics suggest either that God is indwelling and can be reached by delving within, or dwells outside the soul and is reached by the soul's rise in successive stages. Mysticism, which has broad association in English to include the occult and magic, is found in Greek Neoplatonism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Taoism.