Beyond words. Continuous contemplation as a third way between religion and secular life

Abstract

The topic of the present article is the life and teachings of three less known, but important, modern mystics: Russian Sufi Irina Tweedie (1907–1999), and two non-confessional mystics: Indian U.G. Krishnamurti (1918–2007), and Romanian Ilie Cioara (1916–2004). It shows that method of permanent, silent contemplation, being non-sectarian, is the essence of spiritual life. It is an alternative to both the religious and secular lives, derivative from differences which can lead to religious intolerance. It shows that the essence of spiritual life is to be found in man, it is impossible to put in into words and can be realised in solitary contemplation.