It is immediately apparent, however, that this sense-world, this seemingly real external universe - though it may be useful and valid in other respects - cannot be the external world, but only the Self's projected picture of it ... The evidence of the senses, then, cannot be accepted as evidence of the nature of ultimate reality; useful servants, they are dangerous guides.
Evelyn UnderhillFor the most part, of course, the presence of the great spiritual universe surrounding us is no more noticed by us than the pressure of air on our bodies, or the action of light. Our field of attention is not wide enough for that; our spiritual senses are not sufficiently alert. Most people work so hard at developing their correspondence with the visible world, that their power of correspondence with the invisible is left in a rudimentary state.
Evelyn UnderhillThe life of prayer is so great and various there is something in it for everyone. It is like a garden which grows everything, from alpines to potatoes.
Evelyn UnderhillIt is important to increase our sense of God's richness and wonder by reading what his great lovers have said about him.
Evelyn UnderhillAfter all it is those who have a deep and real inner life who are best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life.
Evelyn UnderhillMysticism, according to its historical and psychological definitions, is the direct intuition or experience of God; and a mystic is a person who has, to a greater or less degree, such a direct experience -- one whose religion and life are centered, not merely on an accepted belief or practice, but on that which the person regards as first hand personal knowledge.
Evelyn Underhill