PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
THIS book falls naturally into two parts; each of which is really complete in
itself, though they are in a sense complementary to one another. Whilst the
second and longest part contains a somewhat detailed study of the nature and
development of man's spiritual or mystical consciousness, the first is intended
rather to provide an introduction to the general subject of mysticism.
Exhibiting it by turns from the point of view of metaphysics, psychology, and
symbolism, it is an attempt to gather between the covers of one volume
information at present scattered amongst many monographs and text-books written
in divers tongues, and to give the student in a compact form at least the
elementary facts in regard to each of those subjects which are most closely
connected with the study of the mystics.
Those mystics, properly speaking, can
only be studied in their works: works which are for the most part left unread
by those who now talk much about mysticism. Certainly the general reader has
this excuse, that the masterpieces of mystical literature, full of strange
beauties though they be, offer considerable difficulties to those who come to
them unprepared. In the first seven chapters of this book I have tried to
remove a few of these difficulties; to provide the necessary preparation; and
to exhibit the relation in which mysticism stands to other forms of life. If,
then, the readers of this section are enabled by it to come to the encounter of
mystical literature with a greater power of sympathetic comprehension than they
previously possessed, it will have served the purpose for which it has been
composed.
It is probable that almost every such reader,
according to the angle from which he approaches the subject, will here find a
good deal which seems to him superfluous. But different types of mind will find
this unnecessary elaboration in different places. The psychologist, approaching
from the scientific standpoint, eager for morbid phenomena, has little use for
disquisitions on symbolism, religious or other. The symbolist, approaching from
the artistic standpoint, seldom admires the proceedings of psychology. I
believe, however, that none who wish to obtain an idea of mysticism in its
wholeness, as a form of life, can afford to neglect any of the
aspects on which these pages venture to touch. The metaphysician and the
psychologist are unwise if they do not consider the light thrown upon the ideas
of the mystics by their attitude towards orthodox theology. The theologian is
still more unwise if he refuse to hear the evidence of psychology. For the
benefit of those whose interest in mysticism is chiefly literary, and who may
care to be provided with a clue to the symbolic and allegorical element in the
writings of the contemplatives, a short section on those symbols of which they
most often make use has been added. Finally, the persistence amongst us of the
false opinion which confuses mysticism with occult philosophy and psychic
phenomena, has made it necessary to deal with the vital distinction which
exists between it and every form of magic.
Specialists in any of these great departments of
knowledge will probably be disgusted by the elementary and superficial manner
in which their specific sciences are here treated. But this book does not
venture to address itself to specialists. From those who are already fully
conversant with the matters touched upon, it asks the indulgence which really
kindhearted adults are always ready to extend towards the efforts of youth.
Philosophers are earnestly advised to pass over the first two chapters, and
theologians to practise the same charity in respect of the section dealing with
their science.
The giving of merely historical information is no
part of the present plan: except in so far as chronology has a bearing upon the
most fascinating of all histories, the history of the spirit of man. Many books
upon mysticism have been based on the historical method: amongst them two such
very different works as Vaughan's supercilious and unworthy "Hours with the
Mystics" and Dr. Inge's scholarly Bampton lectures. It is a method which seems
to be open to some objection: since mysticism avowedly deals with the
individual not as he stands in relation to the civilization of his time, but as
he stands in relation to truths that are timeless. All mystics, said
Saint-Martin, speak the same language and come from the same country. As
against that fact, the place which they happen to occupy in the kingdom of this
world matters little. Nevertheless, those who are unfamiliar with the history
of mysticism properly so called, and to whom the names of the great
contemplatives convey no accurate suggestion of period or nationality, may be
glad to have a short statement of their order in time and distribution in
space. Also, some knowledge of the genealogy of mysticism is desirable if we
are to distinguish the original contributions of each individual from the mass
of speculation and statement which he inherits from the past.
Those entirely unacquainted with these matters may find it helpful to glance at
the Appendix before proceeding to the body of the work; since few things are
more disagreeable than the constant encounter of persons to whom we have not
been introduced.
The second part of the book, for which the first
seven chapters are intended to provide a preparation, is avowedly
psychological. It is an attempt to set out and justify a definite theory of the
nature of man's mystical consciousness: the necessary stages of organic growth
through which the typical mystic passes, the state of equilibrium towards which
he tends. Each of these stages--and also the characteristically mystical and
still largely mysterious experiences of visions and voices, contemplation and
ecstasy--though viewed from the standpoint of psychology, is illustrated from
the lives of the mystics; and where possible in their own words. In planning
these chapters I have been considerably helped by M. Delacroix's brilliant
"Etudes sur le Mysticisme," though unable to accept his conclusions: and here
gladly take the opportunity of acknowledging my debt to him and also to Baron
von Hügel's classic "Mystical Element of Religion." This book, which only
came into my hands when my own was planned and partly written, has since been a
constant source of stimulus and encouragement.
Finally, it is perhaps well to say something as
to the exact sense in which the term "mysticism" is here understood. One of the
most abused words in the English language, it has been used in different and
often mutually exclusive senses by religion, poetry, and philosophy: has been
claimed as an excuse for every kind of occultism, for dilute transcendentalism,
vapid symbolism, religious or aesthetic sentimentality, and bad metaphysics. On
the other hand, it has been freely employed as a term of contempt by those who
have criticized these things. It is much to be hoped that it may be restored
sooner or later to its old meaning, as the science or art of the spiritual
life.
Meanwhile, those who use the term "Mysticism" are
bound in self-defence to explain what they mean by it. Broadly speaking, I
understand it to be the expression of the innate tendency of the human spirit
towards complete harmony with the transcendental order; whatever be the
theological formula under which that order is understood. This tendency, in
great mystics, gradually captures the whole field of consciousness; it
dominates their life and, in the experience called "mystic union," attains its
end. Whether that end be called the God of Christianity, the World-soul of
Pantheism, the Absolute of Philosophy, the desire to attain it and the movement
towards it--so long as this is a genuine life process and not an
intellectual speculation--is the proper subject of mysticism. I believe this
movement to represent the true line of development of the highest form of human
consciousness.
It is a pleasant duty to offer my heartiest
thanks to the many kind friends and fellow students, of all shades of opinion,
who have given me their help and encouragement. Amongst those to whom my
heaviest debt of gratitude is due are Mr. W. Scott Palmer, for much valuable,
generous, and painstaking assistance, particularly in respect of the chapter
upon Vitalism: and Miss Margaret Robinson, who in addition to many other kind
offices, has made all the translations from Meister Eckhart and Mechthild of
Magdeburg here given.
Sections of the MS. have been kindly read by the
Rev. Dr. Inge, by Miss May Sinclair, and by Miss Eleanor Gregory; from all of
whom I have received much helpful and expert advice. To Mr. Arthur Symons my
thanks and those of my readers are specially due; since it is owing to his
generous permission that I am able to make full use of his beautiful
translations of the poems of St. John of the Cross. Others who have given me
much help in various directions, and to whom most grateful acknowledgments are
here offered, are Miss Constance Jones, Miss Ethel Barker, Mr. J. A. Herbert of
the British Museum--who first brought to my notice the newly discovered "Mirror
of Simple Souls"--the Rev. Dr. Arbuthnot Nairn, Mr. A. E. Waite, and Mr. H.
Stuart Moore, F.S.A. The substance of two chapters--those upon "The
Characteristics of Mysticism" and "Mysticism and Magic"--has already appeared
in the pages of The Quest and The Fortnightly Review. These
sections are here reprinted by kind permission of their respective editors.
Feast of St. John of the Cross E.
U.
1910
Part One: The Mystic Fact