Florence Nightingale. A 19th-century mystic.

Florence Nightingale's life and work were profoundly shaped by a mystical calling she experienced at age 16. Through disciplined practice as a Western mystic, she became an instrument of God's love, which fueled her legendary energy and achievements. To understand how she transformed human consciousness, women's roles, and nursing and public health systems in the mid-19th century, one must grasp this spiritual motivation. The article discusses her life and work within the context of her mystical practice, drawing parallels with three recognized women mystics.

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Abstract

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) received a clear and profoundly moving Call to serve God at the age of 16. Through a lifetime of hard work and discipline, she became a practicing mystic in the Western tradition, thereby becoming an instrument of God's love, which was the primary source of her great energy and the fabled "Nightingale power." To understand the life and work of this legendary healer, who forever changed human consciousness, the role of women, and nursing and public health systems in the middle of the 19th century, it is necessary to understand her motivation and inspiration. The purpose of this article is to discuss her life and work in the context of her mystical practice and to show the parallels between her life and the lives of three recognized women mystics.