V

MYSTICISM


Mysticism cannot be spoken of as a basis of morality in the sense in
which Revelation, Intuition, Utility and Evolution are bases, for it is
valid only for the individual, not for everybody, for the true Mystic,
the dictates of the Outer or Inner God are imperial, compelling, but to
any one else they are entirely unauthoritative. None the less, as the
influence of the Mystic is wide-reaching, and his dicta are accepted by
many as a trustworthy revelation--are not all revelations communicated
by Mystics?--or as the intuition of an illuminated conscience, or as
showing the highest utility, or as the result of an evolution higher
than the normal, it is worth while to consider their value.

Mysticism is the realisation of God, of the Universal Self. It is
attained either as a realisation of God outside the Mystic, or within
himself. In the first case, it is usually reached from within a
religion, by exceptionally intense love and devotion, accompanied by
purity of life, for only "the pure in heart shall see God". The external
means are prayer to and meditation on the Object of devotion--Shr[=i]
R[=a]ma, Shr[=i] K[r.][s.]h[n.]a, the Lord Jesus--long continued and
persevering, and the devotee realises his Divinity by ecstacy attaining
Union thereby. Such Mystics are, for the most part, valuable to the
world as creating an atmosphere of spirituality, which raises the
general level of religious feeling in those who come within its area;