神秘学（英语：Occultism，Mysticism，Occult Studies）

对于大多数神秘学家来说，神秘学则指的是形而上学，无法使用逻辑推理或现有物质科学来理解的知识。其主要研究传统宗教信仰、玄学、占卜、巫术、修炼和打坐等形而上学知识，还有许多人试图寻找在目前的宗教和哲学教条以外的世界观。

神秘学家与宗教家或宗教学家的区别在于神秘学者往往抱持开放的思维去接触、包容、吸纳各种不同思想流派；而宗教家的研究可能只局限于自身宗教信仰之内；宗教学家则可能置身于宗教思想之外来研究宗教，前两者则是置身其中。

The occult (from the Latin word occultus "clandestine, hidden, secret") is "knowledge of the hidden". In common English usage, occult refers to "knowledge of the paranormal", as opposed to "knowledge of the measurable", usually referred to as science. The term is sometimes taken to mean knowledge that "is meant only for certain people" or that "must be kept hidden", but for most practicing occultists it is simply the study of a deeper spiritual reality that extends beyond pure reason and the physical sciences. The terms esoteric and arcane can also be used to describe the occult, in addition to their meanings unrelated to the supernatural.