neomystic

Neomystic is a term used in contemporary discourse to describe a flexible set of ideas and practices that reinterpret traditional mysticism for modern audiences. The coinage combines neo- with mystic, signaling a renewed or reinvented approach to transcendent experience rather than a return to any single historical tradition. In general usage, neomysticism denotes emphasis on personal, experiential knowledge of the transcendent, often prioritizing interior practice over doctrinal systems.

In literature, art criticism, and spiritual discourse, neomystic is applied to works that blend symbolic imagery with scientific or technological metaphors, or that frame altered states of perception as a subject of inquiry. It can refer to a spectrum ranging from secular mindfulness-inspired practice to ecumenical or pluralistic spirituality that resists institutional affiliations.

Origins and scope: The term has appeared sporadically in late 20th- and early 21st-century discourse, without a fixed program or organization. Different writers attach somewhat different meanings, making neomystic more of a descriptive label than a formal movement.

Reception and critique: Some scholars caution that neomystic can be overstated or too vague to identify a coherent trend, while others view it as a useful descriptor for a recognizable shift toward individualized, experiential spirituality mediated by media and technology.

See also: Mysticism; Neopaganism; New Age; Modern spirituality; Post-secularism; Mindfulness.