Mysticism - book written by Evelyn Underhill

Excerpt taken from Part I Chapter I "Mysticism - The Point of Departure"

The most highly developed branches of the human family have in common one peculiar characteristic.  They tend to produce-sporadically it is true, and often in the teeth of adverse external circumstance-a curious and definite type of personality; a type which refuses to be satisfied with that which other men call experience, and is inclined, in the words of its enemies, to "deny the world in order that it may find reality."  We meet these persons in the east and the west; in the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds.  Their one passion appears to be the prosecution of a certain spiritual and intangible quest: the finding of a "way out" or a "way back" to some desirable state in which for them, has constituted the whole meaning of life.  They have made for it without effort sacrifices which have appeared enormous to other men.................

Excerpt taken from Part I Chapter VII "Mysticism and Magic".

"Magical operations," says Eliphas Levi," are the exercise of a power which is natural, but superior to the ordinary powers of nature.  They are the result of a science and of habits, which exalt the human will above its usual limits."  This power of the will is now recognized as playing an important part both in the healing of the body and the healing of the soul .......