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Mystics Of The Church Analysis

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History 2C Midterm The mystical experience parallels a romantic experience, but rather than a partnership between two lovers, one’s soul develops a partnership with God. Evelyn Underhill, a nineteenth century mystic and author of The Mystics of the Church, defines the mystical experience as having a direct interaction with God and producing a consequential pursuit for a union with Him. To achieve this “spiritual marriage” #, Underhill identifies five stages: awakening, purgation, illumination, the dark night of the soul, and union. It begins with a consciousness of a divine reality. Following that is the purgation, which intends to purify or change oneself to align with the transcendental order. Consequently, developing attachments to others from purgation causes an illumination within the individual, centering cognitive procedures and worldly understanding around the partner, or God. Next, the idea of the dark night of the soul …show more content…

Underhill describes it as a “purification of character and detachment from earthly interests” # which requires a “total response from mind, feeling, and will.” # By stripping material possessions, can one focus on a connection with God. This occurs because the influence of material possession typically outweighs the influence of spiritual values. Removing these distractions allow the soul to reconnect back towards God, relocating attachments from material belongings to developing attachments to transcendental orders. St. Francis of Assisi exhibited purifying behavior through the practice of poverty #pg 10 and penance #14. Specifically, he had exhibited penance through the punishment of his body for mistakes he has made, especially with misinterpretation of Brother Bernard’s silence. This act of penance mirrors that of Christ, who was crucified as a sacrifice for the sins of the people. By imitating Christ, or imtatio Christi, can one become closer to understanding the life of the

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