The Problem of Finding a Common Meaning for the Term Mysticism

Some subjects, like mysticism, have very diverse meanings and applications. This article purposes to find a common meaning or sense for such subjects and to answer how we can reach this common meaning. Among these subjects, we have chosen mysticism and have found seven possible assumptions in answering whether we can find a common meaning for mysticism. Then we have discussed each of them. These assumptions make a spectrum from the theories that accept a natural essence for mysticism, to the theories that held that mysticism is a homonymous term. Finally we have preferred the famous model of elephantology but with some restrictions.