Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » mysticism

mysticism

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Mysticism is a spiritual belief stating that a connection can be obtained with God or the spirits through thought and meditation.

(noun)

An example of mysticism is believing that a direct connection can be made with God through sitting and thinking.

See mysticism in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the doctrines or beliefs of mystics; specif., the doctrine that it is possible to achieve communion with God through contemplation
any doctrine that asserts the possibility of attaining an intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths through meditation
vague, obscure, or confused thinking or belief

See mysticism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. Immediate consciousness of the transcendent or ultimate reality or God.
b. The experience of such communion as described by mystics.
A belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible by subjective experience.
Vague, groundless speculation.

See mysticism in Ologies

Mysticism

See also meditation; religion

Boehmenism, Behmenism

the mystical teachings of Jakob Boehme (1575-1624), an influence on George Fox and Quakerism. —Boehmenist, Boehmist, Boehmenite, n.

Bourigianism

the mystical theories of Antoinette Bourignon (1616-80), popular in the Netherlands and in Scotland.

Gnosticism

the beliefs and practices of pre-Christian and early Christian sects, condemned by the church, especially the conviction that matter is evil and that knowledge is more important than faith, and the practice of esoteric mysticism. —Gnostic, n., adj.

Hermeticism

1. the occult concepts, ideas, or philosophy set forth in the writings of the hermeticists of the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance.

2. adherence to, belief in, or propagation of these concepts and ideas.

3. Literature. a symbolic and arcane style similar to that of the hermeticists, especially in the poetry of certain French symbolist poets. —hermeticist, hermetist, n. —hermetic, hermetical, adj.

metagnosticism

the doctrine that knowledge of the Absolute is within human reach, but through a higher religious consciousness rather than by logical processes. See also god and gods. — metagnostic, adj.

mystagogy

1. the principles, doctrines, and practices of mysticism.

2. the interpretation of mysteries, as the Eleusinian. —mystagogue, n. —mystagogic, mystagogical, adj.

mystagogue

a teacher of mystical doctrines.

omphalopsychism

the practice of staring at one’s navel to induce a mystical trance. Also called omphaloskepsis. —omphalopsychite, n.

pleroma

the Gnostic concept of the spiritual world, representing the fullness of the Divine Being and the eons emanating therefrom.

theosophy

1. any of various forms of philosophical or religious thought claiming a mystical insight into the divine nature and natural phenomena.

2. (cap.) the system of belief and practice of the Theosophical Society. —theosophist, n. —theosophical, adj.