PsychologyJuly 16, 2026

mysticism

/ˈmɪstɪsɪzəm/

Definition

The association of a practice or belief with spiritual, supernatural, or religious significance that lacks a basis in empirical, scientific evidence.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'mystikos,' meaning 'secret' or 'initiated.' It entered English through Late Latin, originally referring to the pursuit of direct, personal communion with a divine or ultimate reality.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the spiritual or religious aura often surrounding sound meditation. The researcher aims to remove this 'mysticism' to show that the practice is a physiologically grounded tool for stress reduction rather than a faith-based ritual.

Sound meditation science offers HR leaders a nervous system reset

Read the full article ↗

hcamag.com

Related words

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.