mystical atheism

Mysticism is the experience of contact with the divine or transcendent, often involving a sense of union with God. While traditionally associated with religion, the term "mysticism" was broadened in the 19th century to include similar experiences in non-Christian traditions.123

Some mystical traditions, particularly in Christianity, explore a concept sometimes termed "mystical atheism." This involves an emphasis on the absolute unknowability of God, suggesting that true contact with the transcendent occurs by moving beyond all conventional descriptions of God, even the Trinity, to a "God beyond God". This perspective, exemplified by figures like Meister Eckhart, posits a divine "darkness" or "abyss" where all distinctions are lost.13

Mystical experiences can be spontaneous or induced through various techniques, including meditation, prayer, and sensory deprivation. While some scholars debate whether mysticism is the core of religion or merely one element within it, its role and interpretation vary across different religious traditions and theological perspectives.413