Mysticism, the practice of those [who are initiated into the mysteries], the
practice of putting oneself into, and remaining in, direct relation with
God, the Absolute, or any unifying principle of life. Mysticism is
inseparably linked with religion. Because of the nature of mysticism,
firsthand objective studies of it are virtually impossible, and students
must confine themselves to the accounts of mystics, autobiographical
and biographical, or, as the mystics themselves say, they must
experience for themselves. The terms mystic and mysticism are used very broadly in English, being extended to mean magic, occultism, or the esoteric.
