Evelyn Underhill was a pioneer in revitalizing interest in mysticism and in the spiritual life as lived by ordinary people. Here are some of her articles that demonstrate the variety and development of her thought over forty years. The themes of magic and mysticism, prayer and pacifism are all considered, with particular emphasis on Underhill’s focus on personal religious experience, its nurturance in prayer, its protection by institutional religion, and its implications for all aspects of life. Together, the pieces illuminate the author’s move from Platonism to the incarnational spirituality lived out during the years between the world wars.

Greene’s interpretive introduction to the life and work of this contemporary mystic is most helpful for those previously unfamiliar with Underhill. The book contains the most complete bibliography available on works by and about this important woman.