A study in the nature and development of mans spiritual consciousness. This book has been called the life of the spirit and the life of today in order to emphasize as much as possible the practical, hereandnow nature of its subject. Underhill offers the idea of a healthy body as metaphor for a healthy spiritual life. A study of the nature and development of mans spiritual consciousness by evelyn underhill. The spiritual life, an edition of her bbc broadcast, first given orally, is a clear, concise introduction to her thought.
Her mother was alice lucy underhill, younger daughter of moses ironmonger, justice of the peace of wolverhampton. Her book mysticism, published in 1911, was unmatched in publishing success for over forty years. The spiritual life by evelyn underhill, paperback barnes. She was one of the most widely read writers on such matters in the first half of the twentieth century. Evelyn underhills guidelines for a sane spiritual life. Author of mysticism, practical mysticism, the life of the spirit and the life of today, the mystics of the church, the spiritual life, the mystic way, worship, concerning the inner life evelyn underhill open library. Underhill then wrote three highly unconventional though profoundly spiritual novels.
Evelyn underhill call to the inner life sometime around 1931 evelyn underhill wrote a letter to the archbishop of canterbury, cosmo gordon lang 19281942, about the inner life of the clergy. Margaret cropper, the life of evelyn underhill new york 1958. A spiritual memoir 2004 edited by bernard bangley, isbn 1557253552 studies and commentaries. Each of these brief pieces is actually a meditation on some aspect of the spiritual life, and makes excellent devotional reading. Practical mysticism by evelyn underhill free pdf download. Evelyn underhill 6 december 1875 15 june 1941 was an english anglo catholic writer and. Evelyn underhill books list of books by author evelyn. Her concern was that the multiplicity of the clergys duties had diminished some priests grounding in a life of prayer.
Christopher armstrong writes, it is likely that the reputation of evelyn underhill will stand high whenever the christian philosophy of the contemplative life is taken seriously as a basis for christian action. From uplifting discussion on the nature of prayer to explorations of humanitys true spiritual purpose in life, she paints a vivid picture of the riches that lie ahead on the road less traveled. Drawn simultaneously to psychology and mysticism, she was one of the preeminent spiritual voices of the twentieth century, in spite of the religious indifference of her parents and husband. A spiritual life is simply a life in which all that we do comes from the centre, where we are anchored in god.
Evelyn underhill is recognized as one of great britains outstanding religious writers. Aug 02, 2017 evelyn underhill 18751941, was a 20thcentury british lay theologian, spiritual writer, and retreat leader widely known for her compelling exploration of the spiritual life. The spiritual life derives from a series of four talks, broadcast on the bbc during the 1930s. Underhill was a poet, novelist, spiritual author, and theologianas well as being a sailor, bookbinder, and artist. She offers profoundly simple advice on opening ourselves to god. Christopher armstrong writes, it is likely that the reputation of evelyn underhill will stand high whenever the christian philosophy of the. The characteristics of mysticism first part from evelyn underhill s classic text, mysticism. The philosopher is a mystic when he passes beyond thought to the pure apprehension of truth. Jul 15, 2019 it was forty years ago this summer the summer of 1979 that i first discovered evelyn underhill, the british spiritual author whose writings introduced me to the beauty and splendor of christian. Here are some of her articles that demonstrate the variety and development of her thought over forty years.
Evelyn underhill was an english writer and pacifist known for her many works on religion and spiritual practice, in particular christian mysticism. In these writings, underhill takes up some of the timeless themes of spiritual life. Evelyn underhill 18751941 was a prolific british writer who is best known for her book mysticism. Evelyn underhill center for action and contemplation. Sourced quotations by the british novelist evelyn underhill 1875 1941 about life, god and spiritual. Her books, lectures, retreat conferences, and letters of spiritual advice offer insights into ways to develop and maintain a sane spiritual life. Buy a cheap copy of the spiritual life book by evelyn underhill. This latter work is more accessible than the earlier writing. Underhill summarizes insights from psychology, theology, and her wide range of reading from devotional literature. Her concern was that the multiplicity of the clergys duties had diminished some priests grounding in a life.
Evelyn underhill was born at wolverhampton on december 6, 1875, the only child of sir arthur underhill, a barrister and writer on legal subjects, and a bencher of lincolns inn. Evelyn underhill 6 december 1875 15 june 1941 was an english anglocatholic writer and pacifist known for her numerous works on religion and spiritual practice, in particular christian mysticism. It was a time when all things spiritual in nature was ruled by men. The spiritual life by evelyn underhill, evelyn underhill and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. What is the place of contemplation in the authentic spiritual life. Enjoy the best evelyn underhill quotes and picture quotes. If you are looking for an introduction to the spiritual life, this is a good read. Spring 2018 7 spiritual life online evelyn underhill. She sought the centre of life as she and many of her generation conceived it, not in the state religion, but in experience and the heart. Nov 10, 2015 in the first five decades of the twentieth century, evelyn underhill was, perhaps, one of the most widely read writers on prayer and the spiritual life. Her other books include the school of charity, and mystics of the church, both available from morehouse publishing. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Evelyn underhill project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks.
Buy evelyn underhill ebooks to read online or download in pdf or epub on your pc, tablet or mobile device. The spiritual life ebook written by evelyn underhill. Underhill, evelyn 1875 1941 evelyn underhill was born at wolverhampton on december 6, 1875, the only child of sir arthur underhill, a barrister and writer on legal subjects, and a bencher of lincolns inn. Evelyn underhill call to the inner life interrupting the. Project muse rereading evelyn underhills mysticism. Modern guide to the ancient quest for the holy 1988 edited and introduced by d. Born in wolverhampton, england in 1875 to barrister sir arthur underhill and his wife, evelyn was educated at home and at kings college for women. In this underhill succeeds admirably, and the book has become a welldeserved classic. An uplifting description of the pursuit of the spiritual life, written by one of the greatest mystics of the 20th century, who describes notr only the spiritual. While searching through the archives of poet and author evelyn underhill, grace brame discovered four important handwritten retreats given by underhill that were thought to be lost. Collected papers of evelyn underhill download ebook pdf. It is appropriate to consider the life and work of evelyn underhill. Concerning the inner life, by evelyn underhill, 1926 96 pages before she wrote her magnum opus, mysticism 1911 or taught at oxford university on religion 1921, evelyn underhill tried her hand at spiritual fiction.
Brief extracts from the underhill book, fruits of the spirit, first published in 1942, the year after underhill s death. The writings of evelyn underhill dominated discussions about the spiritual life in the first half of the 20th century. A study in the nature and development of mans sic spiritual consciousness. Sourced quotations by the british novelist evelyn underhill 1875 1941 about life, god and spiritual page 2. The spiritual life kindle edition by underhill, evelyn. Evelyn underhill chelmsford diocesan house of retreat. Politically, she defined herself as a socialist, saying, i think it is the only fair form of government, and it gives every class an equal status. What is authentic spirituality and what is the role of contemplation in the spiritual life. Evelyn underhill was an english anglocatholic writer and pacifist known for her numerous works on religion and spiritual practice, in particular christian mysticism. A wonderful anthology of her work is delroy obergs evelyn underhill. The practical mystic by emilie griffin the spiritual life the house of the soul aspects of mysticism the souls journey worship practical advice. An uplifting description of the pursuit of the spiritual life, written by one of the greatest mystics of.
A healthy body must have food, fresh air, and exercise to thrive. I think she has such a clear way of writing that really cuts to the heart of the matter. Sep 27, 2010 practical mysticism by evelyn underhill. This book contains in an expanded form the four addresses on the spiritual life which were given by underhill in 1936. Evelyn underhill was a pioneer in revitalizing interest in mysticism and in the spiritual life as lived by ordinary people. With succinctness and clarity, underhill sets out to describe the mystical experience of humanity for ordinary people. The life of the spirit and the life of today by evelyn underhill. The right person will advance and i will be more edified either way. It might well be said that the christian spiritual life must he the same in time of war as in time of peace, since it is essentially a life of communion with the unchanging cod.
Aug 09, 2015 evelyn underhill sunday, august 9, 2015. The first woman ever invited to give a series of lectures in religion at oxford, she was a fellow of kings college, london, and in 1938 received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from aberdeen university. Evelyn underhill evelyn underhill biography poem hunter. This book was written based on broadcasts she did in the 1930s. Jan 15, 2009 evelyn underhill 18751941 you dont have to be peculiar to find god. For the past twenty years, an annual quiet day retreat has been held at washington national cathedral in honor of evelyn underhill 18751941, best known to scholars of christian spirituality as the author of mysticism. Evelyn underhill, asserts todd johnson, went through three distinct phases in her lifes journey of faith and the evolution of her spirituality. Concerning the inner life, by evelyn underhill davesandel. Throughout her life, evelyn underhill journeyed on a. Here are a few quotes from one of the 20th centurys most profound writers on christian spirituality, evelyn underhill, who called all christians to an everyday mysticism.
Oct 15, 2011 concerning the inner life, by evelyn underhill, 1926. For a spiritual life is simply a life in which all that we do comes from the centre, where we are anchored in god. In 1907 she married hubert stuart moore, also a barrister. This week we continue exploring the modern mystics who have had the greatest impact on my own theology and practice.
First published in 1911, mysticism remains the classic in its field. Evelyn underhill 18751941 you dont have to be peculiar to find god. The spiritual life kindle edition by evelyn underhill. Evelyn underhill was an english anglocatholic writer and pacifist known for her numerous works on religion and spiritual practice, in particular christian. Evelyn underhill books list of books by author evelyn underhill. The first woman ever invited to give a series of lectures in religion at oxford, she was a fellow of kings college, london, and in 1938 received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from. Most of evelyn underhills retreats were published, and many are still in print. Evelyn underhill was a prolific british writer on mysticism and spiritual growth. In the englishspeaking world, she was one of the most widely read writers on such matters in the first half of the twentieth century. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the spiritual life. Presents some great truths concerning the spiritual life in simple language. Evelyn underhill was an english anglocatholic writer and pacifist known for her numerous works on religion and spiritual practice, in particular.
Evelyn underhill revisited 25 evelyn underhill evince a longlasting tension in underhill s own life. In 1911, she published the work that established her reputation as a spiritual. The project gutenberg ebook of the life of the spirit and the life of today, by evelyn underhill this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. In the first five decades of the twentieth century, evelyn underhill was, perhaps, one of the most widely read writers on prayer and the spiritual life. Evelyn underhills guidelines for a sane spiritual life the.
Evelyn underhill was one of the great anglican thinkers of the first half of the 20th century, a group that includes dorothy sayers, c. Spring 2018 7 spiritual lifeonline evelyn underhill. Chelmsford diocesan house of retreat, pleshey evelyn underhill. Her mother was alice lucy underhill, younger daughter of. Rationalism is not the only path to reality in fact, according to evelyn underhill, it may even be an impediment. The project gutenberg ebook of the life of the spirit, by. Evelyn underhill was one of the premiere authors on mysticism of the twentieth century.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the spiritual life. Through her study of the mystics and even more through her lived experiences, underhill emphasized that the mystical state of union with god produces creative action in. Then, i resolved to settle for a reawakening of the spiritual life within anglicanism until i saw the missionary witness of russell. Mysticism makes an indepth and comprehensive exploration of mysticism. See all books authored by evelyn underhill, including watch for the light. I found this book inspirational and helpful to reorient me in a very basic way to the spiritual life as connection to the life of god rather than just an inner, personal journey. Contemplation and the spiritual life i have referred to contemplation many times so far. The nature and development of spiritual consciousness, and more on. Evelyn underhill call to the inner life interrupting. I was so excited to vote for evelyn underhill this lentmadness cycle until i read james solomon russells biography. Her book the spiritual life was originally part of a series of broadcasts made prior to world war ii.
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