Practical Mysticism: A Little Book for Normal People and Abba: Meditations Based on the Lord's Prayer

Written on the eve of World War I, Practical Mysticism reviews the works of the greatest Western mystics, including Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, Thomas a Kempis, and the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing: Underhill's goal is to guide her readers on a journey toward mystical consciousness, to teach them to see the "eternal beauty beyond and beneath apparent ruthlessness." Abba, first published in 1940, is the fruit of Underhill's lifetime of study, taking as its starting point the seven phrases of the Lord's Prayer and using them as a means to propel the self toward union with God. In these important works, Underhill brings an often esoteric subject onto a practical footing, showing that the profound gifts of mysticism are not only for the few but are within reach of us all.