Mysticism

{{religion}}
'''Mysticism''' involves communion with the [[God|divine]], either through esoteric [[knowledge]] or directly through [[revelation]] or [[meditation]].<ref>
Compare:
{{cite book
 | last1 = Gellman
 | first1 = Jerome
 | chapter = Mysticism
 | title = The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
 | url = https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mysticism/
 | publication-date = 2018
 | access-date = 10 September 2019
 | quote = 'Mysticism' is best thought of as a constellation of distinctive practices, discourses, texts, institutions, traditions, and experiences aimed at human transformation, variously defined. 
}}
</ref>
Mystics come in all flavors, from the deeply sincere to the outright [[deceit|fraudulent]].  

Direct communion can occur in many ways, from [[speaking in tongues]] or other forms of [[demonic possession| possession]] to visions and revelations.  Indirect methods include [[tarot]] cards and the practices of the [[Kabbalah]]. While almost all mystics [[Belief| believe]] in something divine, not all believers are mystics. 

==Examples==
Mysticism is present in countless religions across the world, with widely different doctrines and approaches. In Islam, the most prominent form of mysticism is [[Sufism]]. In Judaism, the most prominent form is the [[Kabbalah]]. Many branches of [[Christianity]] frown on this kind of direct communion, instead preferring rational [[argument|argumentation]] and discovery of [[God]] through  [[Bible|texts]]. However, [[Eastern Orthodox]] Christianity and, to a lesser degree, [[Roman Catholicism]] employ mysticism in theological discourse. [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Sikhism]], and [[Taoism]], just to name a few, are some non-Abrahamic religions that have mystical practices. [[Tantra]] is arguably mysticism, as well. Shamanism in many folk religions around the world could also often be described as mystical in nature.<ref> [https://www.britannica.com/topic/mysticism ''Encyclopedia Britannica''] </ref>

==Scientific explanation for ecstatic experiences==
Religious ecstasy is an altered state of consciousness that is often experienced by people practicing mysticism. One frequently finds that mystical experiences get induced by stressing the body (through hunger, thirst, sleep deprivation...), and/or by stressing the mind through isolation.  All this can cause [[hallucination]]s, as can drugs that are used to induce mystical experience. There is every reason to suspect that mysticism - occurring across multiple cultures and across multiple religious traditions - is due to natural reactions in the [[brain]].<ref>
{{wpa | Scholarly approaches to mysticism}} 
</ref>

==In D&D==
Mystics are also a character class in [[Dungeons and Dragons|D&D]] and are there a type of cleric who forgoes the use of armor and most types of weapons in exchange for such [[witchcraft]]-like abilities as brewing potions or magical candles 
to get a trip and fly higher than a kite, er, dragon
.
==See also==
*[[Ayahuasca tourism]] 
*[[Near-death experience|Near death experience]] -- (this also happens when the brain is severely stressed.)
*[[Other ways of knowing]]
*[[Rasputin]]
*[[Sufism]]
*[[Kabbalah]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Esotericism]]
[[Category:Religion]]
{{stub|religion}}

Categories: Esotericism, Religion