Author: Evelyn Underhill
Book Link

I was introduced to this author/mystic/powerhouse of a religious figure by my spiritual mentor many years ago. Understanding my need to go deeper, seek something further and look beyond what is immediately in front of me, he suggested I read her as a contemporary voice in the field.

Being familiar with many in the mystic tradition and their source books (mainly in the Christian and Jewish strands), I was thrilled to encounter Underhill. The fact she has a dedicated following, but is grossly overlooked, is baffling but not surprising.  Women mystics tend to be ignored unless they managed to reach astronomical heights that could not be overlooked.

This book is a look at the spiritual life of a person living in the world today. Today being an operative word for the time it was written, which was close to a century ago, however it still feels relevant to this very day that I write this review. While the language is dated, the thinking is not.

If you’re willing to wrestle with the content, do some deep thinking and take your time to contemplate the message she is giving, you will be rewarded. This offers more substance than the glut of “helpful” books out there whether they’re related to the spiritual life or general self-help.

Along the way, you will get a better understanding and appreciation for Mysticism: what it is and how to look at it correctly. There’s nothing watered down about what she is teaching and it should be approached with a level of respect for that reason.

The digital version was compiled together by a group of volunteers and has been posted online for free. You can read it through Gutenberg Press (link above).

For something timeless, helpful and free, it’s worth the effort to work through.