--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Religion is to mysticism what…" description: "\"Religion is to mysticism what popularization is to science\" — Henri Bergson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/henri-bergson-7179_mysticism_religion-is-to-mysticism-what-populariza_2773136.jpg" --- # Religion is to mysticism what popularization is to science ![“Religion is to mysticism what popularization is to science” quote by Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/henri-bergson-7179_mysticism_religion-is-to-mysticism-what-populariza_2773136.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/henri-bergson-7179_mysticism_religion-is-to-mysticism-what-populariza_2773136.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/henri-bergson-7179_mysticism_religion-is-to-mysticism-what-populariza_2773136.jpg) > “Religion is to mysticism what popularization is to science” [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Popularizing science simplifies complex ideas, while mysticism seeks deeper, often ineffable experiences. **In simple terms:** Science popularization and mysticism serve different purposes. Key Takeaway Recognize the value of both clarity and mystery. Themes knowledge spirituality communication Mood curious thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - teaching a concept to laypeople - exploring personal spirituality - writing a popular science article - meditative practice Key Concepts epistemology transcendence public understanding Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance clarity with depth? - When is mystery more valuable than explanation? A Different Perspective Risk of conflating rigorous science with vague mysticism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Mysticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysticism/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [I hold that popularization of science is successful if, at first, it does no more than spark the sense of wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/i-hold-that-popularization-of-science-is-successful-if-at-first-it/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“Misfortune draws people to religion and mysticism”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-bashevis-singer/misfortune-draws-people-to-religion-and-mysticism/) [Isaac Bashevis Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-bashevis-singer/) > [Religion is nothing but institutionalized mysticism. The catch is, mysticism does not lend itself to institutionalization. The moment we attempt to organize mysticism, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/religion-is-nothing-but-institutionalized-mysticism-the-catch-is/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Religion, mysticism and magic all spring from the same basic 'feeling' about the universe: a sudden feeling of meaning, which human beings sometimes 'pick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-wilson/religion-mysticism-and-magic-all-spring-from-the-same-basic-feeling/) [Colin Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-wilson/) > [All propaganda or popularization involves a putting of the complex into the simple, but such a move is instantly not constructive. For if the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/all-propaganda-or-popularization-involves-a-putting-of-the-complex/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [The aim of the popularization of economic studies is not to make every man an economist. The idea is to equip the citizen for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/the-aim-of-the-popularization-of-economic-studies-is-not-to-make/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [“My vocation in life is to wonder about at the nature of the universe. This leads me into philosophy, psychology, religion, and mysticism, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/my-vocation-in-life-is-to-wonder-about-at-the-nature-of-the-universe/) [Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/) > [Unchecked, the dominating influences of money and of barren intellectualism would reduce the life of emotions to freezing point. And, unable to grasp the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/unchecked-the-dominating-influences-of-money-and-of-barren/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [Mystical experiences (unlike scientific conclusions) cannot be communicated from one person to another. Philosophers and little children are continually amazed that we, unaccountably, find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-keen/mystical-experiences-unlike-scientific-conclusions-cannot-be/) [Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/) > [“No knowledge comes from the outside world or an imaginary supernatural paradise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/no-knowledge-comes-from-the-outside-world-or-an-imaginary/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“The ultimate aim of reality is to become science fiction!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-of-kittim/the-ultimate-aim-of-reality-is-to-become-science-fiction/) [Eli Of Kittim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-of-kittim/) > [Without mysticism man can achieve nothing great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gide/without-mysticism-man-can-achieve-nothing-great/) [Andre Gide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gide/) > [A lot of energy is lost to false teachers. Wherever dependency is created, energy is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/a-lot-of-energy-is-lost-to-false-teachers-wherever-dependency-is/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Whomever or whatever the visitors are, their activities go far beyond a mere study of mankind. They are involved with us on very deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitley-strieber/whomever-or-whatever-the-visitors-are-their-activities-go-far-beyond/) [Whitley Strieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitley-strieber/) > [You can draw power from everything in your life. In order to do that, everything has to be set up in a proper way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-can-draw-power-from-everything-in-your-life-in-order-to-do-that/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## More by Henri Bergson > [The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-present-contains-nothing-more-than-the-past-and-what-is-found-in/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Action on the move creates its own route, creates to a very great extent the conditions under which it is to be fulfilled and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/action-on-the-move-creates-its-own-route-creates-to-a-very-great/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Intuition is a method of feeling one's way intellectually into the inner heart of a thing, in order to locate what is unique and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/intuition-is-a-method-of-feeling-one-s-way-intellectually-into-the/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [“But, then, I cannot escape the objection that there is no state of mind, however simple, which does not change every moment, since there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/but-then-i-cannot-escape-the-objection-that-there-is-no-state-of-mind/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [In laughter we always find an unavowed intention to humiliate and consequently to correct our neighbour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/in-laughter-we-always-find-an-unavowed-intention-to-humiliate-and/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [In short, intelligence, considered in what seems to be its original feature, is the faculty of manufacturing artificial objects, especially tools to make tools,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/in-short-intelligence-considered-in-what-seems-to-be-its-original/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [There is no greater joy than that of feeling oneself a creator. The triumph of life is expressed by creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/there-is-no-greater-joy-than-that-of-feeling-oneself-a-creator-the/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [When we make the cerebral state the beginning of an action, and in no sense the condition of a perception, we place the perceived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/when-we-make-the-cerebral-state-the-beginning-of-an-action-and-in-no/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [It is of man's essence to create materially and morally, to fabricate things and to fabricate himself. Homo faber is the definition I propose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/it-is-of-man-s-essence-to-create-materially-and-morally-to-fabricate/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [The only cure for vanity is laughter. And the only fault that's laughable is vanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-only-cure-for-vanity-is-laughter-and-the-only-fault-that-s/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Instinct perfected is a faculty of using and even constructing organized instruments; intelligence perfected is the faculty of making and using unorganized instruments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/instinct-perfected-is-a-faculty-of-using-and-even-constructing/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Intelligence is the faculty of making artificial objects, especially tools to make tools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/intelligence-is-the-faculty-of-making-artificial-objects-especially/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [I believe I experience creativity at every moment of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/i-believe-i-experience-creativity-at-every-moment-of-my-life/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [“Might not certain vices have the same relation to character that the rigidity of a fixed idea as to intellect? Whether as a moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/might-not-certain-vices-have-the-same-relation-to-character-that-the/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [The movement of the stream is distinct from the river bed, although it must adopt its winding course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-movement-of-the-stream-is-distinct-from-the-river-bed-although-it/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) [Explore all 86 Henri Bergson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) ## More Mysticism quotes > [You can draw power from everything in your life. In order to do that, everything has to be set up in a proper way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-can-draw-power-from-everything-in-your-life-in-order-to-do-that/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“The ultimate aim of reality is to become science fiction!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-of-kittim/the-ultimate-aim-of-reality-is-to-become-science-fiction/) [Eli Of Kittim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-of-kittim/) > [“Whomever or whatever the visitors are, their activities go far beyond a mere study of mankind. They are involved with us on very deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitley-strieber/whomever-or-whatever-the-visitors-are-their-activities-go-far-beyond/) [Whitley Strieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitley-strieber/) > [A lot of energy is lost to false teachers. Wherever dependency is created, energy is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/a-lot-of-energy-is-lost-to-false-teachers-wherever-dependency-is/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Without mysticism man can achieve nothing great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gide/without-mysticism-man-can-achieve-nothing-great/) [Andre Gide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gide/) > [We must always be aware of the fact that the body, soul and mind are to be trained simultaneously, for otherwise it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-bardon/we-must-always-be-aware-of-the-fact-that-the-body-soul-and-mind-are/) [Franz Bardon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-bardon/) > [You have got to get your power up and do something and not just sit around. Always be optimistic. Always be positive! And ignore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-have-got-to-get-your-power-up-and-do-something-and-not-just-sit/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“No knowledge comes from the outside world or an imaginary supernatural paradise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/no-knowledge-comes-from-the-outside-world-or-an-imaginary/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There is no future and there is no past, there never has been, there never will be. You just think there is. It's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-is-no-future-and-there-is-no-past-there-never-has-been-there/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [...mysticism and empiricism go together in opposition to scholasticism...they base themselves on the non-linear world of experience rather than the linear world of letters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/mysticism-and-empiricism-go-together-in-opposition-to-scholasticism/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [Mystical experiences (unlike scientific conclusions) cannot be communicated from one person to another. Philosophers and little children are continually amazed that we, unaccountably, find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-keen/mystical-experiences-unlike-scientific-conclusions-cannot-be/) [Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/) > [Turn your life into a field of power and energy to draw from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/turn-your-life-into-a-field-of-power-and-energy-to-draw-from/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [To have the detached eye of the occultist, to look outward, to not be so self-reflective and to learn to step through the various…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/to-have-the-detached-eye-of-the-occultist-to-look-outward-to-not-be/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [A beautiful woman looking at her image in the mirror may very well believe the image is herself. An ugly woman knows it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/a-beautiful-woman-looking-at-her-image-in-the-mirror-may-very-well/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [Mysticism, poor mysticism! When it is underestimated and oversimplified, it comes down from its original sphere and stands beside religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/mysticism-poor-mysticism-when-it-is-underestimated-and-oversimplified/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) [Browse all 795 Mysticism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysticism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Religion is to mysticism what popularization is to science", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henri Bergson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/religion-is-to-mysticism-what-popularization-is-to-science/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Mysticism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/religion-is-to-mysticism-what-popularization-is-to-science/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/henri-bergson-7179_mysticism_religion-is-to-mysticism-what-populariza_2773136.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/henri-bergson-7179_mysticism_religion-is-to-mysticism-what-populariza_2773136.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/henri-bergson-7179_mysticism_religion-is-to-mysticism-what-populariza_2773136.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Religion is to mysticism what popularization is to science” — Henri Bergson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henri Bergson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Religion is to mysticism what popularization...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/religion-is-to-mysticism-what-popularization-is-to-science/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/religion-is-to-mysticism-what-popularization-is-to-science/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```