What Is The Meaning Of Mysticism’S Root?

Mysticism, derived from the Greek word μύω múō, meaning “to close” or “to conceal”, refers to the biblical, liturgical, spiritual, and contemplative dimensions of early and medieval Christianity. The term originated in the Hellenistic world as a derogatory term for Christian fanatics, but some critics dismissed it as a minor sect.

Mystics, such as Eckhart, Teresa of Á vila, Ś ankara, and the Buddha, believe their experiences are timeless and involve an apprehension of the divine. The term “mysticism” will also refer to practices, discourse, texts, institutions, and traditions associated with these experiences. The roots of Greek mysticism are very old, dating back to the earliest Greek expansion through the Eastern Mediterranean in the 7th century BCE.

The term “mystic” is derived from the Greek noun mystes, which originally designated an initiate of a secret cult or mystery religion. Mysticism is a doctrine of an immediate spiritual intuition of truths believed to transcend ordinary understanding or of a direct, intimate union of the soul with God. The meaning of mysticism is the experience of mystical union or direct communion with ultimate reality reported by mystics.

In English, mysticism is formed through derivation from the Latin word mystic adj. and the Greek verb muein, which means to close the eyes or lips. In Middle English, the noun meant symbolic meaning or interpretation. The term “mystic” has been used in various academic methods to analyze and understand the beliefs, ideas, and practices of mystics.