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Rating: 
Summary: Enormously influential, a product of its time
Review: Emma Curtis Hopkins was a pioneer in the 19th Century new thought movement. Her work influenced both the Unity School of Christianity and Religious Science movements. High Mysticism is arguably the "centerpiece" among her writings on religion. Ms. Hopkins, like all the best of the New Thought writers, was a synthesist of orthodox and heterodox Christian ideas, ideas from the eastern religions, and a number of ideas seemingly spawned anew in the "can do" America of the late 19th and early 20th Century. High Mysticism, as its title suggests, advocates a mystical and metaphysical approach to problems of faith. The language is almost self-consciously "religious", as Ms. Hopkins tries to clothe her ideas in a spiritual language appropriate to their serious purpose. Unfortunately, while the result is always readable, it sometimes seems a bit stilted and high flown, in the way that 19th Century novels of the fantastic could be. Ms. Hopkins differs from other advocates of new faiths in her era, though, in that Ms. Hopkins advocated an intersection between the metaphyscial ideas with which her work is preoccupied and the mundane everyday in which we all live. In some ways, her work, though it speaks of arcane mysteries, is trying to communicate an accessible spiritual practice. In this way, Ms. Hopkins arguably deviates from the "secret initiations" of theosophical and other similar movements. Later writers, Ernest Holmes and the Fillmores in particular, would take Hopkins' ideas and express them in much more reader-friendly language. But High Mysticism is a must read for anyone who wants to see the "missing link" between Quimby on the one hand, and the modern "positive thinking" faiths on the other hand. I give this 3 stars because it is not for everyone,but it is consistently interesting, as Ms. Hopkins' ideas dance across the pages.
Rating:
Summary: Enormously influential, a product of its time
Review: Emma Curtis Hopkins was a pioneer in the 19th Century new thought movement. Her work influenced both the Unity School of Christianity and Religious Science movements. High Mysticism is arguably the "centerpiece" among her writings on religion. Ms. Hopkins, like all the best of the New Thought writers, was a synthesist of orthodox and heterodox Christian ideas, ideas from the eastern religions, and a number of ideas seemingly spawned anew in the "can do" America of the late 19th and early 20th Century. High Mysticism, as its title suggests, advocates a mystical and metaphysical approach to problems of faith. The language is almost self-consciously "religious", as Ms. Hopkins tries to clothe her ideas in a spiritual language appropriate to their serious purpose. Unfortunately, while the result is always readable, it sometimes seems a bit stilted and high flown, in the way that 19th Century novels of the fantastic could be. Ms. Hopkins differs from other advocates of new faiths in her era, though, in that Ms. Hopkins advocated an intersection between the metaphyscial ideas with which her work is preoccupied and the mundane everyday in which we all live. In some ways, her work, though it speaks of arcane mysteries, is trying to communicate an accessible spiritual practice. In this way, Ms. Hopkins arguably deviates from the "secret initiations" of theosophical and other similar movements. Later writers, Ernest Holmes and the Fillmores in particular, would take Hopkins' ideas and express them in much more reader-friendly language. But High Mysticism is a must read for anyone who wants to see the "missing link" between Quimby on the one hand, and the modern "positive thinking" faiths on the other hand. I give this 3 stars because it is not for everyone,but it is consistently interesting, as Ms. Hopkins' ideas dance across the pages.
Rating: 
Summary: High Mysticism a Classic
Review: One of the most influential books of my writing and ministerial career. This book must be read, not with the mind, but with the soul, a feature that may prove difficult for some. Mrs. Hopkins fans the embers of the spiritually awakening consciousness in a way that is rare among writers. All her works should prove to be of great interest to the seeker of a deeper reality, but High Mysticism has the uncanny ability to impart a degree of that lofty realm Hopkins so eloquently elucidates. Rev. J. Douglas Bottorff...
Rating:
Summary: Not for the spiritually faint-hearted!
Review: This book is spiritual dynamite. Do not read it unless you want to see an earthquake in your deepest self. Sure, it's written in archaic language--it's old! But the Truths it relates are as new as your next breath.
If you're bold, read it. It will change your life.
Rating:
Summary: Not for the spiritually faint-hearted!
Review: This book is spiritual dynamite. Do not read it unless you want to see an earthquake in your deepest self. Sure, it's written in archaic language--it's old! But the Truths it relates are as new as your next breath.
If you're bold, read it. It will change your life.
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