Evelyn Underhill Quotes

Powerful Evelyn Underhill for Daily Growth

About Evelyn Underhill

Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) was an influential British mystic, writer, and theologian who played a significant role in the early 20th century religious revival movement. Born on December 27, 1875, in Notting Hill, London, she grew up in a family of intellectuals and artists. Despite her parents' initial reluctance to send their daughter to university, Underhill defied expectations by attending Newnham College, Cambridge, where she studied English literature. Underhill's spiritual journey began in earnest after a profound encounter with the poetry of Dante Alighieri. This experience led her to explore various Christian traditions and mystical practices. In 1910, she converted to Anglicanism and was later ordained as a lay reader in the Church of England. Her most famous work, "Mysticism: A Study in the Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness," published in 1911, became an instant classic and remains one of the most widely read books on mystical theology. In this seminal work, Underhill explores the nature of mysticism, its history, and its significance in the spiritual lives of individuals across various religious traditions. In addition to "Mysticism," Underhill wrote numerous other influential works, including "Practical Mysticism" (1914) and "The Sermon on the Mount: An Interpretation for Today" (1920). She also played an active role in the religious revival movement of her time, serving as a chaplain to soldiers during World War I and becoming a sought-after spiritual advisor and speaker. Evelyn Underhill's legacy endures, with her works continuing to inspire readers seeking a deeper understanding of mysticism and the role of the individual in the divine relationship. Her life and work have left an indelible mark on the study of religion and spirituality, offering insights that remain as relevant today as they were when she first shared them a century ago.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We shall draw nearer to God as we learn to feel the mystery of things."

This quote by Evelyn Underhill suggests that as we cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the enigmatic and complex aspects of life, we inadvertently come closer to God or a higher spiritual understanding. It implies that the more we delve into the mysteries and secrets of existence, the more we tap into the divine, transcendent nature of reality.

"The spiritual life is not a theory or a philosophy, but a living relationship with the transcendent Source of all being and value."

This quote emphasizes that spirituality is more than just an abstract concept or belief system; it's a dynamic, intimate connection with a transcendent, higher power or source of existence and worth. In other words, spiritual life involves engaging in a real, personal relationship with something greater than oneself, which shapes and enriches one's being and values.

"Holiness consists in a steady and unresisting surrender to the will of God, moment by moment."

Evelyn Underhill's quote suggests that holiness is achieved through consistent and willing submission to God's will in each moment. In other words, living a holy life means allowing oneself to be guided by God in every decision, action, and thought, without resistance or hesitation. This surrender is ongoing and requires a steadfast commitment to follow the divine will. By doing so, one aligns themselves with the purpose for which they were created, fostering spiritual growth and closeness to the divine.

"Real religion is the meeting-place between the human spirit and the living God."

This quote by Evelyn Underhill underscores the essence of true spirituality or religion as a dynamic encounter or intersection between the human spirit (individual's inner self) and the divine presence (God). It suggests that authentic religious experience transcends mere ritualistic observance and doctrinal belief, emphasizing the importance of a personal, experiential relationship with the divine.

"The spiritual life is not a cold and arid ascent towards abstract truths, but an intense and vital union with the God who is Love."

This quote emphasizes that the spiritual journey is not merely an intellectual pursuit of abstract ideas or truths, but rather a deeply emotional and personal connection with a loving God. It's about experiencing a profound relationship based on love, rather than pursuing spirituality in a detached, unemotional manner. Evelyn Underhill encourages us to engage in the spiritual life as an intimate union with a loving deity, implying that love is at the core of this spiritual journey.

The direction and constancy of the will is what really matters, and intellect and feeling are only important insofar as they contribute to that.

- Evelyn Underhill

Important, Intellect, Constancy

You don't have to be peculiar to find God.

- Evelyn Underhill

God, You, Find, Peculiar

In my relations with my father, which are difficult and where I'm often met by coolness and indifference, I am constantly tempted to be cold and indifferent. Yet I know that this is a test if I could take it rightly.

- Evelyn Underhill

Father, Cold, Indifference, Relations

Every minute you are thinking of evil, you might have been thinking of good instead. Refuse to pander to a morbid interest in your own misdeeds. Pick yourself up, be sorry, shake yourself, and go on again.

- Evelyn Underhill

Been, Shake, Might, Morbid

Towards my husband, I often fail to show interest in his affairs and amusements, not rousing myself to respond when I'm tired or concerned with other things, forgetting he is very patient with me.

- Evelyn Underhill

Patience, Other, Very, Affairs

God is always coming to you in the Sacrament of the Present Moment. Meet and receive Him there with gratitude in that sacrament.

- Evelyn Underhill

Meet, Always, Receive, Present Moment

All things are perceived in the light of charity, and hence under the aspect of beauty; for beauty is simply reality seen with the eyes of love.

- Evelyn Underhill

Love, Beauty, Eyes, All Things

Never forget that the key to the situation lies in the will and not in the imagination.

- Evelyn Underhill

Forget, Never, Will, Never Forget

After all it is those who have a deep and real inner life who are best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life.

- Evelyn Underhill

Deep, Deal, Outer, Irritating

Adoration is caring for God above all else.

- Evelyn Underhill

God, Caring, Else, Adoration

Deliberately seek opportunities for kindness, sympathy, and patience.

- Evelyn Underhill

Wisdom, Deliberately, Opportunities

God is acting on your soul all the time, whether you have spiritual sensations or not.

- Evelyn Underhill

Soul, Sensations, Whether, Acting

Try to arrange things so that you can have a reasonable bit of quiet every day.

- Evelyn Underhill

Every Day, Reasonable, Arrange

There is no place in my soul, no corner of my character, where God is not.

- Evelyn Underhill

God, Character, My Soul, Corner

God is much in the difficult home problems as in the times of quiet and prayer.

- Evelyn Underhill

Prayer, Difficult, Times, Quiet

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