The word “mysticism” eludes definition. The word is a Greek derivative, denoting the practices of those who have been “initiated into the mysteries.” But the difficulty of a definition is born of the contentions of mystics that their experiences are ineffable, or unable to be captured in language. It is not unusual for such experiences to contain contemplative visions, voices, and ecstatic states of consciousness. Mysticism could be defined as the pursuit of a transcendent, unitive experience with some absolute reality. Each faith has had its mystics who have sought a different kind of knowledge of a supreme being.