“The terms used by the individual mystics, the divisions which they adopt in describing the Self’s progress in contemplation, are bewildering in their variety. Here, more than elsewhere, the mania for classification has obsessed them. We find, too, when we come to compare one with another, that the language which they employ is not always so exact as it seems: nor are traditional terms always used in the same sense. Sometimes by the word ‘contemplation’ they intend to describe the whole process of introversion: sometimes, they reserve it for the ‘orison of union,’ and sometimes identify it with ecstasy. It has been pointed out by Delacroix that even St. Teresa’s classifications of her own states is far from lucid, and vary in each of her principle works. …

“Thus we are forced to the conclusion that the so-called ‘degrees of orison’ so neatly tabulated by ascetic writers are largely artificial and symbolic: that this process which they profess to describe is really, like life itself, one and continuous—not a stairway, but a slope—and the parts into which they break it us are diagrammatic. Nearly every mystic makes these breaks in a different place, though continuing to use the language of his predecessors. In his effort toward self-analysis, he divides and subdivides, combines, and differentiates his individual moods. Hence the confusion of mind which falls upon those who try to harmonize different systems of contemplation.” ~Evelyn Underhill

Mania for Classification

I think it is not really true that mystics had a mania for classification. I think most of them were perfectly happy to leave things rather vague. It is the writers who put the teachings and experiences of the mystics down on paper that had the mania for classification. It is understandable, however, that when a process or experience is complicated, we try to break it down into smaller, more understandable pieces.

Orison of Union

Ms. Underhill has chosen to use “orison” in an attempt to avoid confusion, but it is a word rarely used today. It can mean any form of prayer or plea to God. She uses this word instead of prayer because most people have the idea that prayer is all about asking God for things that they want, while the “orison” of the mystic is more a matter of trying to communicate with God, rather than just asking for things. Her reference to the “orison of union” refers to the goal of the mystic, or spiritual adept, to become one with the highest level of Consciousness, thus one with God.

Steps of the Spiritual Path

Underhill says that the process of spiritual awakening and enlightenment is more like a slope than a stairway. It doesn’t have specific steps and levels. She is probably correct in saying that most mystics are simply breaking the process down into steps in an arbitrary and individual way, so that different spiritual teachers and writers have different steps and different names for the steps, but the overall process remains the same. And the breakdown may be based on how that individual feels as he or she continues on the path. If one feels as if one has made a big step forward, then one may consider that a step on the path, whereas others may feel that way at different points.

Secrecy

Another reason why the language of mysticism may be vague is that it is often allegorical in order to maintain secrecy. In the ancient mystery schools, students were required to take an oath to keep most of the teachings secret, so when they did write things down, they hid a lot of it in allegorical language. This was done for the protection of the students as well as others. The schools of Light did not want dark schools to learn the secrets and misuse them. They also didn’t want new students to learn things before they were ready, and harm themselves.

Contemplation

One of the terms of mysticism or spiritual development that Ms. Underhill uses frequently is “contemplation”. Many people today will think that means meditation, but it doesn’t. At least not the forms of meditation commonly practiced today. Contemplation is defined as “the action of looking thoroughly at something for a long time.” That “something” doesn’t have to be a Sanskrit word repeated over and over without knowing its meaning. It could be something that you, as a spiritual person, want to achieve, such as humility, and love for all. It can also refer to the techniques of Cosolargy for contemplating the Sun.

“We have then arrived at our description of the mechanism of the mystic. Possessed like other people of powers of feeling, thought, and will, it is essential that his love and his determination, even more than his thought, should be set upon Transcendent Reality. He [or She] must feel a strong emotional attraction toward the supersensual Object of his quest: that love which scholastic philosophy defined as the force or power which causes every creature to follow out the trend of its own nature. Of this must be born the will to attain communion with that Absolute Object. This will, this burning and active desire, must crystallize into and express itself by that definite and conscious concentration of the whole self upon the Object, which preseeds the contemplative state. We see already how far astray are those who look upon the mystical temperament as passive in type. …

“It appears, generally, from the experiences of the mystics, that their act of contemplation becomes a psychic gateway; a method of going from one level of consciousness to another. In technical language, it is the condition under which they shift their ‘field of perception’ and obtain their characteristic outlook on the universe. That there is such a characteristic outlook, peculiar to no race or creed, is proved by the history of mysticism.” ~Evelyn Underhill

Like Other People

Some people seem to think that mystics are either frauds or members of some race superior to ordinary humans. In actual fact, they are like other people in most ways, except for a burning desire to learn the universal truths hidden to the materialistic person. They have the same kinds of feelings, thoughts, and temptations as all of us, but at some point, they turn from the temptations and pleasures of the material world and concentrate on seeking something higher. As Underhill notes, love and determination put them on the right path and keep them on it.

Some people don’t like the term “mystic”. If you are one of them, then think “Spiritual Adept” instead. The terms mean the same thing, at least in the way that Ms. Underhill uses the word “mystic”.

The Object of the Quest

Underhill vaguely refers to what the mystic or spiritual student is seeking as the “supersensual Object of his quest.” First, we must remember that until a few decades ago, it was conventional to use masculine terms for things that could be masculine or feminine and mystics could be women. As to the object of the quest, you can call it Spiritual Enlightenment, the highest levels of consciousness, reaching Heaven, or oneness with God. Those terms all refer to the same quest and the same goal.

Becomes a Gateway

Ms. Underhill says that the “contemplation” practiced by the mystics becomes a “psychic gateway” that leads one to higher dimensions of consciousness. It is more accurate to call it a spiritual gateway since the goal is to go beyond the fourth dimension of the psychic realm, to the fifth dimension and higher. Again, she doesn’t say exactly what form this contemplation takes, possibly because she doesn’t know, but more likely, because she thought such information shouldn’t be shared with the uninitiated.

Shift Perception

The Spiritual Adept does shift their perception when practicing spiritual development techniques, and we now know that most of the ancient mystery schools used spiritual sungazing as at least one of those techniques. We know that the students of Pythagoras practiced their techniques while watching the sunrise. We know that the Essenes went to a mountaintop and practiced techniques at dawn. We know that St. Francis had his primary spiritual awakening while watching a sunrise from his bedroom window. We also know that the Spiritual and Mystical writer Jacob Boehme had his when the sun reflected off a shiny metal bowl he was carrying struck him in the eyes.

Of course, just looking at the sun isn’t enough. Some animals such as certain types of snakes look at the sun regularly, but they don’t become mystics. It has to be done properly and with the right attitude; an attitude of love, peace, and humility. Those who do it with the desire to gain the power to use to control others will not succeed in the quest. Instead, they will negate and be taken over by dark forces and beings. So practice the solar techniques, but do so with humility and love of God, and remember the Goal of the Quest.