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Welcome. This site is intended to serve as a resource center for information about the lives and teachings of the mystics.

A mystic is one who has experienced his or her transcendent identity as the one all-pervading Spirit.  This experience, 'the mystic's vision', occurs as one's individual consciousness is uplifted by grace to union with the eternal Source of all consciousness and all being.  It is this experience which prompted the Upanishadic authors to declare, tat twam asi, "Thou art That"; and it is this experience which prompted Jesus to exclaim, "I and the Father are one."

In the time of the ancient Greeks, the formulation of the precepts relating to this experience came to be called "mysticism", or "gnosis", and we still use these words today.  Mysticism may be thought of as the essence, the concentrated distillate, of all religious teachings and all religious traditions.  It signifies the intimate knowledge of God as well as the path to the intimate knowledge of God. 

To appreciate the long history of mysticism, it is essential to know something of the lives and teachings of those mystics who have gone before.  They come from every religious tradition and every nationality.  In the Menu on the left, click on "The Mystics" for the recently revised text of a book originally published under the title, History of Mysticism. Here you will find a chronological presentation of the great mystics of the various religious traditions. I have not attempted to reproduce the original illustrations here, but those wishing to have a downloadable  ebook edition of the book, with the illustrations, may find it on amazon's 'Kindle' ($5.99), B&N's 'Nook', and at Google Books.  For availability of my other titles, please see my "Book Catalog".

Next in the Menu is Body And Soul: An Integral Perspective [Second (Revised) Edition]. This is the most recent summary of my thought, reaffirming the perennial values of the mystics and sages of ancient times in a manner consistent with the latest findings of empirical science. This  2nd (Revised) Edition of Body And Soul is currently available in a print edition at amazon.com, and as an ebook on amazon's Kindle reader ($5.99), on B&N's Nook reader, and at Google Books.

Next on the Menu is Thomas á Kempis: On The Love of God. This is an edited and retitled rendition of the Medieval classic devotional work, The Imitation of Christ.  This too is available in paperback at amazon.com.

Next, some Songs In Praise of God, written by me over the past few years.

Next, a listing and display of all my titles, along with availabilities, may be found in the Book Catalog.  In the Book Catalog, you will find a listing for my latest book, Mystical Theology, which is currently available as an ebook on amazon's Kindle reader for purchase at www.amazon.com or may be borrowed free from the Kindle Owner's lending library. Check it out.

And finally, a few words about myself: About Swami Abhayananda

I do hope you take the time to read and enjoy all of the above selections.  Thank you.



Questions or comments may be addressed to me at: abhayananda@bellsouth.net.