Writings Of Evelyn Underhill Annotated

With: Historical commentary Biographical info Appendix with further readings For nearly 2,000 years, Christian mystics, martyrs, and sages have documented their search for the divine. Their writings have bestowed boundless wisdom upon subsequent generations. But they have also burdened many spiritual seekers. The sheer volume of available material creates a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Enter the Upper Room Spiritual Classics series, a collection of authoritative texts on Christian spirituality curated for the everyday reader. Designed to introduce 15 spiritual giants and the range of their works, these volumes are a first-rate resource for beginner and expert alike. Evelyn Underhill, a 20th-century British spiritual writer and retreat leader, is widely known for her compelling exploration of the spiritual life. Underhill offers profoundly simply advice on opening ourselves to God. This volume includes a cross-section of her letters and her published retreat and radio talks.

Practical Mysticism is a book written by Evelyn Underhill and first published in 1915. In this book Underhill sets out her belief that spiritual life is part of human nature and as such is available to every human being. Underhill's practical mysticism is secular rather than religious, since "it is a natural human activity." In the following paragraph, Underhill defines the meaning of the phrase "Practical Mysticism" Therefore it is to a practical mysticism that the practical man is here invited: to a training of his latent faculties, a bracing and brightening of his languid consciousness, an emancipation from the fetters of appearance, a turning of his attention to new levels of the world. Thus he may become aware of the universe that the spiritual artist is always trying to disclose to the race. This amount of mystical perception-this 'ordinary contemplation', as the specialist call it, -is possible to all men: without it, they are not wholly alive. Source Wikipedia

Practical Mysticism is a book written by Evelyn Underhill and first published in 1915. In this book Underhill sets out her belief that spiritual life is part of human nature and as such is available to every human being. Underhill's practical mysticism is secular rather than religious, since "it is a natural human activity

Evelyn Underhill (1875 -1941) was a prolific and very popular writer on mysticism and spirituality in the first half of the 20th century, and I am increasingly convinced that she speaks to us today. While she began her writing life as a novelist and poet, she found her vocation in making the profound and at times mysterious inner life of saints, contemplatives and mystics interesting, and even accessible to her many readers. Practical Mysticism, a Little Book for Normal People, is an excellent place to meet Underhill for the first time, or to refresh your knowledge of her work. It is a more condensed read than Mysticism, but equally rich in references to mystics such as Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, and while Underhill draws examples from the Christian tradition, her approach is pragmatic rather than doctrinally insistent, and she is interested in the spiritual growth of individuals far more than the activities of group worship. This is a public domain text edited and with an introduction by Dr Sarah Law, whose PhD (1997) included a study of Underhill.

Evelyn Underhill's classic book on mysticism shows not only the historic development of Christian mysticism and its influence on the Church, but gives a deep insight into the spiritual growth of the individual mystics, their struggles, achievements and influence. Covering the whole development of the Christian Church from St. Paul to the present century, the author illustrates the differing backgrounds and approach of many of the great mystics such as St. Augustine of Hippo, whose writings helped to create the Church's understanding of its mystical character; and St. Francis of Assisi, whose example proved an inspiration to many. The book gives much more than an opportunity to "meet" the great mystics: it also provides a framework for the analysis of true mysticism and false, contrasting Catherine of Sienna, a girl of the people whose transcendental mysticism benefited many in an age of ecclesiastical degradation, with the well-born and beautiful Madame Guyon, whose excesses brought mysticism into disrepute. Evelyn Underhill illuminates the whole of her subject by drawing attention to the differences of approach that can bring mortals along the road to the divine, from the zealous militancy of a Loyola to the passivity of the Quietists. This absorbing study by one of the great writers on mysticism covers every aspect of the subject and gives a clear understanding of the mystics' world in writing that is both informative and stimulating.

Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) was one of the greatest spiritual writers of the twentieth century. Living most of her life in England, Underhill used writing as a vehicle to express her passionate search for the infinite life. Her philosophy transcends generations and her legacy as a pivotal figure in Christian mysticism endures today. In this comprehensive biography Dana Greene expertly captures Underhill's true essence. She gives us a thorough account of Underhill's development as a mystic and theologian and also explores beyond to the heart of who she was as a person. The connections Greene makes between Underhill's personal life and work create an in-depth and accurate portrait of this extraordinary woman.

Evelyn Underhill was a brilliant scholar who spent many years researching the history and literature of the mystic way. Her book 'Mysticism' was the result of all this endeavour, and has remained the classic in its field, constantly in print since its first publication in 1911. The book is divided into two parts, the first exploring the relationship of mysticism to such diverse subjects as magic, metaphysics, theology and psychology, while Part Two provides a detailed examination of individual mystical consciousness, covering the soul's steps to Illumination. This pioneering study comes with a comprehensive annotated bibliography, allowing present-day students to find the primary texts described with such clarity in Underhill's seminal work.

This is a new release of the original 1958 edition.