# I: What Is Mysticism? explained — Practical Mysticism

> Chapter companion for Practical Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill.

## What happens

This chapter defines mysticism as the art of union with Reality, arguing that it is a natural human faculty accessible to all, not just saints or visionaries. It contrasts the 'practical man' who lives in a world of labels with the mystic who seeks direct, intuitive communion with deeper levels of existence. Through the parable of Eyes and No-Eyes, it illustrates how attention and desire determine one's perception of reality, and invites the reader to a practical mysticism that sharpens consciousness and emancipates from illusion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Union with Reality

Central definition of mysticism as the art of union with Reality; explored through examples of poets, saints, and philosophers.

### Perception and Illusion

Contrasts the practical man's world of labels and appearances with the mystic's direct apprehension of deeper reality.

### Contemplation and Action

Distinguishes between analytic thought (cooking the hare) and the primitive act of union (catching it), emphasizing the primacy of contemplative contact.

## Character check-ins

### The Practical Man

The primary audience addressed; he is depicted as living in a world of labels and superficial knowledge, needing to be persuaded to look beyond appearances.

### Walt Whitman

Cited as a mystic who achieved passionate communion with deeper levels of life, thrusting past current notions to the Fact.

### St. Teresa of Ávila

Mentioned as a saint who declared union with the Divine Essence itself, exemplifying the mystical claim.

### William Blake

Listed among mystics who exhibit different forms of contemplative consciousness.

### Plotinus

Included as a philosopher-mystic who passes beyond thought to pure apprehension of truth.

### St. John of the Cross

Mentioned alongside other mystics as an example of the contemplative consciousness.

## Key lines

> Mysticism is the art of union with Reality.

Mysticism is the practice of achieving direct, intimate connection with what is ultimately real.

_This is the chapter's core definition, presented as covering all genuine mystical experience._

> We know a thing only by uniting with it; by assimilating it; by an interpenetration of it and ourselves.

True knowledge comes from merging with and absorbing the object of our attention, not from detached observation.

_Underlines the participatory nature of mystical knowledge as opposed to analytic thought._

> The old story of Eyes and No-Eyes is really the story of the mystical and unmystical types.

The parable of Eyes and No-Eyes illustrates the difference between the mystic, who perceives the richness of reality, and the non-mystic, who only sees the surface.

_Used to make the mystical attitude accessible and relatable to the practical man._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/practical_mysticism_se/chapters/i-what-is-mysticism
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/practical_mysticism_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/practical_mysticism_se/chapters