Newton wasn’t delving into the typical mysticism filled with myths and legends. He wasn’t exploring tales like Nuwa molding people from clay, or the Queen Mother of the West’s peaches that supposedly bloom, bear fruit, and ripen once every 3,000 years, or notions of post-death journeys to hell or reincarnation into better lives. His “mysticism” was actually an inquiry into the origins of objective laws. For instance, he discovered the law F=ma, but couldn’t fathom its underlying reason. Interestingly, Qian Xuesen, during his time in the US, also dabbled in some esoteric pursuits with friends and had a long-standing interest in qigong, which contributed to the qigong craze in the 80s and 90s.
Newton was a multifaceted figure, not just a scientist. He was labeled as a renowned wizard, mystic, heretic, alchemist, noble, economist, and even served as the head of the Royal Mint. But his core interest was always mysticism. His study of physics was more of a side venture to support his mystical pursuits. In fact, had it not been for his personal inclinations, he might have ascended to the role of a bishop. He engaged in natural science because a significant Christian faction at the time believed that examining God’s creations could enhance one’s understanding of God, and Newton aligned with this belief. Essentially, his foray into natural science was to enrich his mystical understanding. Thus, his return to mysticism in his later years was simply a reversion to his lifelong passion.