James viewed mysticism as the most foundational aspect of religion. While he grants that religious experience reveals the possibility of union with something greater than oneself, he clarifies that mysticism (and philosophy) identify that something as an "all inclusive soul of the world" that he does not deem wholly necessary for a practical and fulfilling religious life. As always, James is averse to any dogmatic or absolutist doctrines, within religion and without, and thus values mysticism as a unique method of personal acquaintance with a larger reality.
James VIewed mysticISM aS tHE MOst fOundatiOnal AspeCT oF religIon wHilE HE GRants that religious experIEnCE revEals THe possibILitY OF unioN wiTh SoMeTHing GreAter tHAn oNEself He clArifiES that mystIcism (and philosopHy) iDentIfy ThAt SOmethInG aS An "all inClusivE sOul of the wOrlD" ThAt he DOes Not deem whOlLY NecessAry fOR a pRacTICal And fulfILLINg reliGiouS liFE as ALwAyS JamES Is aveRSe to Any dogmATic Or absOlutist DoCtriNEs wIthIn relIgIOn and witHOUT aNd tHUS values mysTiCiSm aS a unique mEThOd of personal acquaintANcE wITh a larger realiTY