"Mysticism is a process of sublimation."
One of the first thoughts I had on mysticism was in response to the above quote by Evelyn Underhill from the King reading in an East Asian Mysticism course I'm taking (EAS345). As soon as the word sublimation was placed in an article attempting to define how to define mysticism, I could not help but draw connections to a particular artist from the Romantic Period - William Turner. Turner (1775-1851) was a British artist who committed to expressing the Sublime in his landscapes. Bored by the mundane subject matter assumed by most artists of the time, he was moved by the transfiguration and spirit of the natural world. This interest combined with his artistic attraction towards the changes of light in various atmospheres inspired the idea of an inner "experience" in his works.

The Sublime was considered to be an aesthetic AND an experience. It was a sensory reaction to nature or art at its greatest effect. Art that showcased the sublime evoked a feeling of awe through its visual qualities.



Left: Snow Storm - Steam-boat off a Harbour's Mouth (exh. 1842), Oil on canvas
Right: Norham Castle, Sunrise (ca 1845), Oil on canvas

How does this all relate to mysticism? Because mysticism cannot exist without the experience. Mysticism, during the period of Romanticism, was thought to be a private versus rational/public concept. It was unconventional, and the very idea of going against the norm is what pushed Turner towards wanting others to experience something powerful from his scenes.

"Snow Storm" and "Norham Castle" are examples of Turner's work. As you can see, there is an unclear division between the subject and background. Instead, what you sense is the visual impact of how he understands nature - a unique, and arguably 'complete' landscape. His paintings are ambiguous and unknown, yet spiritually captivating. The notion of Mysticism can be read in a similar way: it is the mysterious, the ambiguous, unknown, spiritually captivating.. and beautiful when the whole experience is realized. Turner plays a mild game of Host & Guest, where he is the host and we are the guests. Invited to experience the sublime, each viewing arouses a slightly different response based on your emotions, surroundings, and desire to submerge into the sensory experience.

"Mysticism is a process of sublimation."
One of the first thoughts I had on mysticism was in response to the above quote by Evelyn Underhill from the King reading in an East Asian Mysticism course I'm taking (EAS345). As soon as the word sublimation was placed in an article attempting to define how to define mysticism, I could not help but draw connections to a particular artist from the Romantic Period - William Turner. Turner (1775-1851) was a British artist who committed to expressing the Sublime in his landscapes. Bored by the mundane subject matter assumed by most artists of the time, he was moved by the transfiguration and spirit of the natural world. This interest combined with his artistic attraction towards the changes of light in various atmospheres inspired the idea of an inner "experience" in his works.

The Sublime was considered to be an aesthetic AND an experience. It was a sensory reaction to nature or art at its greatest effect. Art that showcased the sublime evoked a feeling of awe through its visual qualities.



Left: Snow Storm - Steam-boat off a Harbour's Mouth (exh. 1842), Oil on canvas
Right: Norham Castle, Sunrise (ca 1845), Oil on canvas

How does this all relate to mysticism? Because mysticism cannot exist without the experience. Mysticism, during the period of Romanticism, was thought to be a private versus rational/public concept. It was unconventional, and the very idea of going against the norm is what pushed Turner towards wanting others to experience something powerful from his scenes.

"Snow Storm" and "Norham Castle" are examples of Turner's work. As you can see, there is an unclear division between the subject and background. Instead, what you sense is the visual impact of how he understands nature - a unique, and arguably 'complete' landscape. His paintings are ambiguous and unknown, yet spiritually captivating. The notion of Mysticism can be read in a similar way: it is the mysterious, the ambiguous, unknown, spiritually captivating.. and beautiful when the whole experience is realized. Turner plays a mild game of Host & Guest, where he is the host and we are the guests. Invited to experience the sublime, each viewing arouses a slightly different response based on your emotions, surroundings, and desire to submerge into the sensory experience.

Mimi: student, artist, foodie, member of shopaholics (not so) anonymous, music-junkie, occasional runner, coffee/tea lover, amateur photographer, and a yogi!

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