I am a Christian Mystic
Pursuing the Mysteries of God
The term “mystic” itself evokes a strangeness in the mind of
the Western church. Some people associate the term “mystical” with magical, but
in fact the definition of mystic is this:
a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to
obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or who believes
in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect. – Oxford
Dictionary
Our Western world is primarily consumed with doing rather
than being. Mysticism offers not an opposite, but a balance. We consist
of both.
Magic is defined as:
the power of apparently influencing the course of events
by using mysterious or supernatural forces.
In one perspective, magic is actually the opposite of
mysticism. The mystic seeks to accept what is, and surrender to events without
changing them (as the will of God.) A magic practitioner is exerting their will
upon the world to change it. (This does not mean we do not pray for others or
for good outcomes, but rather accept what happens.)
It is an important distinction to define mysticism as
non-magical. It instead teaches that God is found in the most common places, in
a blade of grass, and a song, and we need not look for supernatural events to
see him (though of course he may appear supernaturally according to his will.)
Oneness with God
John 17:20-22
I pray also for those who will believe in me through
their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are
in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may
believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me,
that they may be one as we are one
A mystic seeks ultimate surrender to God, to join with him in
union. This is done through a type of meditation recently named “Centering
Prayer,” which is a type of contemplation. It is a letting go of the ego and
desire and just allowing God and his presence.
Mystery of God
The true God is ultimately infinite and unknowable. We can
only see parts of God in this life.
1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven
and the highest heaven cannot contain You
1 Timothy 6:16
who alone possesses immortality and dwells in
unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see.
To a mystic, there is always the unknowable in God. That is
the great mystery. We cannot know all of God at once or know all things at
once. This brings us to humility, but also to a vast ocean of divinity to
explore in God’s infinite source. A mystic is able to accept paradox and admit
they do not have all knowledge. They acknowledge that man’s logic is not complete
and not all things can be explained with it. Therefore we can be at peace not
knowing the answers to every situation and not knowing the theology for every spiritual
concept. Some things are revealed to us in God, and some remain a mystery.
Experience of God
There is a way to experience God beyond mere words. This
comes from the apophatic tradition of the church. Our consciousness labels
things with words, but words are not the things they represent. Every created
thing has its own essence beyond words. We can experience God’s essence that is
far beyond labels by seeking it through quieting our mind.
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God”
There is a knowing of God that transcends mere words, which
can be reached by being still.
Practice of Mysticism
Some catholic orders (like the Franciscans) and the Eastern
Orthodox Church still practice mysticism. It has been in the church since nearly
the very beginning (2nd century A.D.)
Besides centering prayer, there is also the practice of lectio
divina, where one goes through four steps of studying a bible verse: read;
meditate; pray; contemplate.
Mystics learn that they are a pure consciousness (the true
self) separate from their thoughts, emotions, and body. (They are definitely not
Gnostics in the sense that mystics do not believe that the material world is
evil.) This spiritual awareness allows one to not be drawn in by strong
thoughts or emotions, but to be able to observe them separately.
Omnipresence of God
Put simply, God is everywhere and in everything. One does
not have to look far in the Bible to see this.
Acts 17:28
For in him we live and move and have our being.
Psalm 139
Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the
heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there
Rom 11:36
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
Col 1:16-17
all things have been created through [the son] and for
him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
God is not far away in heaven. We do not need to scream to
reach him. He is in everything. Not only that, but God dwells inside us and we
can find him there, always, without having to go anywhere. We are surrounded by
God and his goodness at all times, and a mystic practices being aware of that.
Even when things seem terrible or frightening, the mystic tradition is to see
God all around us.
Transformation
One of the outcomes of mysticism is spiritual
transformation. Instead of using fleshly willpower to try to change the self,
the mystic completely surrenders to God and allows him to make changes. This
practice usually leads to greater peace and stability, and greater faith since
the mystic has had powerful, ineffable experiences of God.
Nondual thinking
Another facet of mysticism is a different way of thinking.
We tend to think of things (especially in the Western world) in terms of
either/or, yes/no, is or isn’t. We also have a strong tendency to label
everything as “good” or “bad.” Through practice we are able to shed these
labels and allow things just to be, without judgment. This is why I gave up
politics since it is all about labeling and creates an “us vs. them” type of
mentality, nearly the opposite of nondual thought. Nondual thinking helps us
accept the world and events without having to have a strong emotional reaction;
to just step back and just experience things. But most especially, it helps us
realize our bond with the universe and let go of the ego. Our being doesn’t end
at the surface of our skin. We are dependent on the air, the earth, gravity,
and other people – we are part of a very complex system. We were meant to be
one with nature, not to fight against it and control it. And most of all we are
part of God. We can either separate the ego, create our own self and live as a
false god, or we can surrender and become part of the One, the divine Source of
All. We learn that our true self is a consciousness having an experience of
life – and so is everyone else. The rest is just conceptual layers we added
with labels. This practice truly helps us to love others since they all have
the same experience as us as a consciousness.
Modern Teachers
Modern teachers include the English Catholic Evelyn
Underhill, Franciscan Friar Richard Rohr, Trappist Monk Thomas Keating,
Episcopal Priest Cynthia Bourgeault.
Modern Resistance
As a charismatic Christian, I am already used to being
called a devil practitioner for believing and practicing spiritual gifts.
However, I have experienced God through them and seen people healed. As a
mystic, I have already been questioned as well. However, this is the path God
has shown me and I intend to walk it. It is literally saving my life here on
earth and making it livable. Many people come to the mystic path through great
suffering – and that is how I arrived. One of the teachings of many mystics is
to be grateful for suffering, as it can lead us to God in a way nothing else
can. These experiences of God and these teachings are making my life feel
livable, when for nearly a decade it was simply a chore to be alive.
Conclusion
A mystic seeks to experience the unlimited infinite Source
of all being through practices that go beyond words or thinking. They seek to
see the world and themselves as they truly are without all the labels and layers.
Most of all, they want a close and intimate relationship with God that transcends
the logical, thinking mind and goes directly to the spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:17
But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
This blog will detail my journey on the mystic path. I have only begun about three years ago and am still learning much.
