Mysticism and its Results: Being an Inquiry into the Uses and Abuses of Secrecy

"Mysticism and its Results: Being an Inquiry into the Uses and Abuses of Secrecy" by John Delafield explores the multifaceted impact of hidden knowledge and mystical practices within secret groups throughout history. The book deeply examines how secrecy can both nurture individual growth and spirituality, as well as become a tool for control and separation within societies. It begins by defining secrecy, distinguishing between its constructive roles in personal contemplation and its harmful expressions in superstition and oppressive rule. Delafield argues that considering the historical setting is key for understanding how secrecy affects human experience, promising a wide-ranging inquiry into truth and its societal effects, as seen through religious and political actions of the past.