Practical Mysticism: A Little Book for Normal People and Abba: Meditations Based on the Lord's Prayer

by UNDERHILL, EVELYN

• ISBN13: 9780375725708
• ISBN10: 0375725709
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-08-19
• Publisher: Vintage

Summary

"God gives without stint all that the creature needs, but it must do its part. He gives the wheat: we must reap and grind and bake it." Evelyn Underhill In these two classics, British poet and mystic Evelyn Underhill shows herself to be one of the most authoritative modern voices on mysticism. Written on the eve of World War I,Practical Mysticismreviews the works of the greatest Western mystics, including Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, and Thomas a Kempis. Underhill's goal is to guide her readers on a journey toward mystical consciousness, to teach them to see the "eternal beauty beyond and beneath apparent ruthlessness."Abba, first published in 1940, takes as its starting point the seven phrases of the Lord's Prayer, using them as a means to propel the self toward union with God. In these important works, Underhill brings an often esoteric subject onto a practical footing, showing that the profound gifts of mysticism are not only for the few but are within reach of us all.

Author Biography

Evelyn Underhill (1875–1941) was an English author and mystic. A popular spiritual adviser and retreat leader, she was an advocate for contemplatitve prayer and mysticism as an underlying foundation of any religious or spiritual practice. Her works include Practical Mysticism, The Spiritual Life, and Worship, as well as several books of fiction and poetry.

Table of Contents

About the Vintage Spiritual Classics
Preface to the Vintage Spiritual Classics Edition
Chronology of the Life of Evelyn Underhill
Practical Mysticism
What Is Mysticism?	p. 9
The World of Reality	p. 18
The Preparation of the Mystic	p. 29
Meditation and Recollection	p. 42
Self-Adjustment	p. 49
Love and Will	p. 63
The First Form of Contemplation	p. 73
The Second Form of Contemplation	p. 87
The Third Form of Contemplation	p. 102
The Mystical Life	p. 118
Abba
Introductory	p. 137
The Father	p. 147
The Name	p. 156
The Kingdom	p. 167
The Will	p. 179
Food	p. 191
Forgiveness	p. 201
Prevenience	p. 214
Glory	p. 227
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 233
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.