ABSTRACT
Mysticism, standing “half-way between belief and understanding, between faith and science,” is the direct outcome of asceticism and the contemplative life. The spirit of mysticism, as might be expected, reveals itself most frequently in persons of nervous and somewhat morbid disposition, with bodies worn down by fasting and penance. Santa Teresa’s moral and mystic works gained almost immediately after her death a world-wide reputation, which they have preserved in Roman Catholic countries down to the present day. The first of the series is Juan de Avila, the friend and religious adviser of Santa Teresa. The list of Religious and Mystic writers of real importance might be prolonged to greater length, but their general characteristics may be gleaned from a few examples. Religion was an ever-present reality to Spaniards of all classes during the period of national glory, and their splendid language and powerful imaginations combined to make it one of the most important branches of their literature.
