Evelyn Underhill

Born 6 December 1875 · Died 15 June 1941

An English Anglo-Catholic writer and pacifist known for her numerous works on religion and spiritual practice, in particular Christian mysticism (<a href=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Underhill>Wikipedia</a>).

Quotes

“As to the most prudent logicians might venture to deduce from a skein of wool the probable existence of a sheep; so you, from the raw stuff of perception, may venture to deduce a universe which transcends the reproductive powers of your loom.”
Practical Mysticism, Chapter II
“Because mystery is horrible to us, we have agreed for the most part to live in a world of labels; to make of them the current coin of experience, and ignore their merely symbolic character, the infinite gradation of values which they represent.”
Practical Mysticism, Chapter I
“Wisdom is the fruit of communion; ignorance the inevitable portion of those who "keep themselves to themselves," and stand apart, judging, analysing the things which they have truly never known.”
Practical Mysticism, Chapter I
“It is reasonable, even reassuring, that hard work and discipline should be needed for this: that it should demand of you, if not the renunciation of the cloister, at least the virtues of the golf course.”
Practical Mysticism, Chapter III
“No nation is truly defeated which retains its spiritual self-possession. No nation is truly victorious which does not emerge soul unstained.”
Practical Mysticism, p. 14

Quotes from Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Books by Evelyn Underhill in order

Books by Evelyn Underhill in the order they were published, from The Spiritual Life (1900) to Radiance (2004).

If you like Evelyn Underhill

Authors readers of Evelyn Underhill often like, from our AI-written notes

Julian of NorwichThe medieval English mystic whose Revelations of Divine Love Underhill's readers often read alongside her.
Teresa of ÁvilaA sixteenth-century Spanish mystic whose writings on prayer are a common next step.
Thomas MertonA twentieth-century Catholic writer on contemplation and the spiritual life.
Friedrich von HügelA scholar of mysticism who was a mentor and correspondent of Underhill.
William LawAn eighteenth-century English writer on devotion whose practical spirituality is often compared with hers.
The Cloud of Unknowing (anonymous)A fourteenth-century English text on contemplative prayer that Underhill edited and wrote about.