Since St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila were mentined here as "mystics", I have to say that the second paragraph in this post--apparently quoted from a link, does not present Christian mysticism in its true sense.
St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila,--and St. Therese, and St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, based their writings strictly on Scripture.
I realize this is tangental to the original thread topic, but if one is not familiar and conversant with the works of these Catholic "mystics", then what is said about them is not accurately understood or portrayed.
I think it's inmportant to make distinctions re:a faulty and generalized description of mysticism, as if were self-delusion or occultic in nature.
Again, that's something for different thread, but since it has come up and beeen defined from one source, I want to clarify that the source does not offer an accurate or more comprehensive understanding. Even the use of the words "tends to" and "relatively" give away that this is generalization.
typos and failure to spellcheck...mea culpa.