ssssrss_cHsnes 360 13 MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE DAVIDM. WULFF Like the noun mysticism Ke phrase mystical experience is a modern ‘Westem construction thacpOaess no settled meaning, Well inco the 18th century, the adjective mystical mainly modified theology in reference to devotional practices Yecommendad to Christians for attaining closeness vedic elle toe geil saponin se eh den meaning igySeriptural texts. The noun mysticism came into use in the middle of thelbrh century, at first only to disparage seemingly fanatic see- tarians. By Extension, some used the term mystics to refer to a putative sect that segzht direct experience of God, a usage that lasted into the latter half th century. By then, however, others had challenged such pejorative ‘meanings, equating mystical instead with spiritual and arguing that the mystics