Mysticism: A Study in the Nature and Development of Man's Spiritual Consciousness. by Underhill, Evelyn - (1955)

New York.: New American Library / Meridian Books.. Very Good. (1955). Soft Cover. 8vo - 20.5 x 13.5 cm.; xviii - 519 pp. First published in a much shorter form in 1915, this is the 16th Meridian printing of the New American Library edition which was first published in 1965. In terms of the textual content this is the 13th edition. From the back cover: "This remarkable work, now recognized as the classic study of the history and manifestation of mysticism, is divided into two sections, the historical and explanatory, and the psychological. In the former, Evelyn Underhill discusses the relation of Mysticism to Vitalism, Psychology, Theology, Symbolism, and Magic. In the latter, entitled 'The Mystic Way', she discusses the inner process of the mystic experience; awakening, purification, the training of the Self in its ascent to the Unitive Life." One appendix of 21 pages, "A Historical sketch of European mysticism from the beginning of the Christian era to the death of Blake", a 30 page bibliography, a 3 page bibliographical note to the thirteenth edition, and lastly an 11 page index. This book has traditionally served as an introduction to the world of the mystic to those unfamiliar with the territory. Two marginal "squiggles" on pages 10 and 11, otherwise the interior is clean and the binding is sound. The externals show very minor shelf wear. .