Ancient-present
Mysticism refers to practices and experiences aiming at direct, unmediated union with ultimate reality transcending ordinary consciousness.
Mystical traditions exist across religions since ancient times. William James's "Varieties of Religious Experience" (1902) studied mysticism.
Plotinus, Meister Eckhart, Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, al-Ghazali, Rumi, William James.
Direct experience of ultimate reality. Ineffability. Noetic quality. Union with divine. Contemplative practices. Dissolution of ego.
Influenced religious philosophy. Shaped contemplative traditions. Contemporary philosophy of religion addresses epistemic issues.
