Mysticism Everywhere

Your friend made the incredible claim that mysticism was found "only" among Catholics and "New Thought" types. Mysticism is the very theme of the faiths of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. It permeates early Christianity, and, as Kabbalism, is found universally in Judaism. As Sufism, it is also quite widespread in Islam. It is scattered throughout the wide spectrum of nature-faiths, including the "high shamanism" of native Tradition.

This Way is not a religion, but is the most universal of platinum threads sewing together all the faiths of the world. Yes, your friend was right: It is found in both Catholic tradition and "New Thought" traditions, but is by no means limited to them.