A contemporary American mystic and scholar tells the story of man's recurrent experience of enlightenment throughout the ages, and presents in an historical context the lives and words of over forty famous mystics from both Eastern and Western religious traditions. He reveals the antiquity and endurance of the one Great Mystical Tradition and the unity underlying the diversity of its manifold expressions. It is not only a history and compendium or the rare works of the greatest mystics, but is an every-new source of encouragement and inspiration to all students of enlightenment, both novices and seasoned scholars. - Originally published under the author's own imprint, ATMA books, this book is already considered a classic. - It was a QPB Book Club and One Spirit Book Club Selection. - Core reading for anyone interested in the subject. - The recurrent experience of enlightenment through the ages - from Rumi to St John of the Cross and from Meister Eckhart to Lao Tzu to Jesus. Reading it is a profound experience.