The Greek word henosis refers to the process of achieving a state of oneness or unity with the divine. This concept has been central to many mystical and philosophical traditions throughout history, particularly in ancient Greece.

The term henosis comes from the Greek word ἕνωσις, which means "union" or "merging." It was used by several ancient Greek philosophers, including Plotinus and Proclus, to describe the goal of mystical practice.

For these philosophers, the goal of mystical practice was to transcend the limitations of the physical world and achieve a direct experience of the divine.

This experience was seen as a merging or union with the divine, a state of consciousness in which the individual and the divine were no longer separate entities but were united as one.

In some mystical traditions, henosis was seen as a gradual process of spiritual development, in which the individual gradually purifies their mind and body and becomes more attuned to the divine. In others, it was seen as a sudden, spontaneous experience that could occur at any time.

The concept of henosis was also central to many ancient Greek religious practices, particularly in the mystery religions. These were secretive, initiatory cultures that focused on the direct experience of the divine through ritual practices, often involving ecstatic states of consciousness.

Henosis has also been an important concept in the history of Christianity, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. In this tradition, henosis is seen as the ultimate goal of spiritual practice, a state of union with God that is achieved through prayer, contemplation, and asceticism.