Arrival and a More Adequate Definition of Mysticism

Mysticism is difficult to define, but, following Bernard McGinn, a robust definition is a unique consciousness of the ultimate reality one perceives. Understanding how the mystic’s consciousness is unique when compared to their community can be difficult, but the 2016 science fiction film _Arrival_ provides an analogous situation that helps illustrate this concept. Through intense preparation and engagement with a newly encountered alien language, the protagonist Louise develops a unique consciousness of time that enables her to save the world. I argue that this correlates to the mystic’s unique consciousness of ultimate reality, also often attained via preparation, that enables them to provide fruitful reflection to their own community. The use of _Arrival_ to help clarify this concept for mysticism points to the potential fruitful dialogue between speculative fiction and religious studies.