Mystical experiences - Walter Stace

• Stace's definition of mysticism

  Non sensuous and non intellectual union with the divine. The senses cease to work and the conscious 'I' ceases to work as well
• Why are visions and voices not a mystical experience according to Stace?

  A genuine mystical experience is non sensuous, having no form, shape, colour, smell or sound. Visions and voices are sensuous experiences
• What is the two types of mystical experiences?

  Extrovertive and introvertive
• What is the extrovertive way?

  Looks outward and through the physical senses into the external world and finds one there. Physical senses continue to perceive the same world but sees objects transfigured.
• What is a halfway house experience?

  It is limited to experiencing God through our five senses so it is only a partial experience of God/unity
• What is the introvertive way?


  The total suppression of our consciousness. Ordinary consciousness is replaced by an entirely new consciousness - a mystical one. It is non sensuous and non intellectual. There is a loss of 'I' as we are totally overwhelmed by external force