ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I classify the mystical experiences in two broad categories: spontaneous and intentionally sought. In the first belong those states that arise unexpectedly for largely unknown reasons. In the other belong those states that are sought deliberately by means of different behavioral and psychophysiological methods. The purpose of the distinction and comparison of the two types is to demonstrate their essential similarity. Further, I highlight the main aspects of the psychological methods that have been used around the world and throughout recorded history to attain the mystical state. The philosophical method of Plotinus and those of the Hindu, the Eastern and Western Christian, Moslem and Hebrew mystics are described, again for the purpose of ascertaining the essential similarity of the experiential states they engender.
