"Just as in earthly life lovers long for the moment when they are able to breathe forth their love for each other, to let their souls blend in a soft whisper, so the mystic longs for the moment when in prayer he can, as it were, creep into God"

Søren Kierkegaard explores the profound yearning that exists in both earthly love and spiritual devotion, drawing a parallel between the longing of lovers and the desires of the mystic. Human lovers often wait with anticipation for the moment they can fully express their love, a yearning to not only communicate but to merge their souls in deep intimacy. This expression becomes almost a necessity, a breath that seeks release, a bringing forth of innermost affection that connects one soul to another.

Kierkegaard uses this imagery to articulate the experience of the mystic, whose longing is directed toward God. The mystic’s desire is not satisfied with mere words or outward rituals; rather, it is a fundamentally intimate and vulnerable aspiration, for the soul to "creep into God". The language suggests not an aggressive or assertive union, but a gentle, almost trembling approach; a soft, reverent whisper of the self into the divine presence. This longing for union is not rooted in any demand or confidence, but in humility and awe, recognizing both the distance and intimacy inherent in the relationship with the divine.

Such moments of mystical prayer are rare and treasured, characterized by an overwhelming sense of vulnerability, awe, and love. Like lovers who finally share their hearts without barriers, the mystic finds fulfillment in a feeling of profound nearness to God, where individuality fades and the boundaries between self and divinity soften. Prayer becomes more than a recitation of words; it transforms into a moment where the human soul seeks to lose itself in the infinite embrace of God.

Kierkegaard’s analogy unveils the universality of longing, for connection, for understanding, for unity, both between humans and between humanity and the divine. Love thus becomes the common thread, weaving together the sacred and the profane, the earthly and the spiritual.