Ranging from Christian belief to oriental mysticism, from the ancient philosophers to the Cambridge Platonists, from Hafiz to Scriabin, from visionaries such as William Blake and the author of The Cloud of Unknowing to the role played by drugs, yoga and the dance, this Encyclopedia has as its aim to provide essential information on the manifold aspects of mysticism. Wherever possible the complier has allowed the mystics to speak for themselves by way of citations from their writings; in addition he has drawn widely on the work of other interpreters. The entries take the form of both self-contained definitions and longer interlocking summaries. He has, in his own words, 'tried to draw some threads together in one or two more comprehensive articles. For thought the mystical experience tends to express itself within the framework of the particular religion in which the mystic was brought up, there is an impressive coherence of testimony from all ages and all parts of the world. But in general I do not take sides in the debate on interpretation; simply record.'