Discussion Topic #23: Mysticism: Are You a "Mystic"?

I hadn't really thought about the word mystic and its meanings, although I look at your descriptions and find that it fits. And: Yes.

Yes, I am a mystic -- I practice meditation and contemplation. I seek and have found a direct link with God.
I think it interesting that every religion has had mystics and that they are the ones who recognize that the differences between religions is one of form only. There is only one God and our peculiarities of theology are not the important thing. That is why Thomas Merton at the time of his death was attending a conference of monks in Thailand -- both Buddhist and Christian.

I have felt one with God but I lack the true discipline of a mystic.

A wonderful question to pose Carol - thank you.
Yes to both questions...

Are you prompting for an elaboration on these topics Carol?

I have often written her on Gather about my "mystical" experiences and thought processes related to that. I have also written an entire book about it all as most here are aware ... so YES and YES ... though my active years of very "Altered State" mystical experiences seem to be in the past, I am very much left with the memories along with ever increasing knowledge and associated wisdom ... IMnsHO. :-)

Yes, TK, please elaborate. I think that everyone would like to get a better understanding and to hear the experiences of others.

One of the criteria for being invited to enter into the life of a priestess in our faith is an early indication of mystical awareness. As a girl, I often felt a presence around me and seemed to ask questions far beyond my age. These attributes alone, however, do not qualify me as a mystic. Mystics are developed over long years of spiritual discipline and prayer. A few come to a level of wisdom that is profound, but none of them did so without great effort. As always with the sacred, it is the journey that makes us mystical, not the destination. And the first step on that path is humility. I have been a priestess of Isis for many years now and still I feel I have only just begun to explore the wonder of her vision. I am still only a girl listening to the sound of wings over my shoulder and hearing whispers of mystery in the reeds.

As for feeling at one with the holy, I have come to know that what I felt moving around me long ago were the great wings of Isis. And yes, she has enfolded me when it is her desire to do so.

Thank you again for such a good question. I enjoy reading what people of other faiths believe very much.

If we must use labels-yes!

I'm a multireligous mystic. The Creative Love Force tells me that all religions/spiritual traditions assisting in the development of Courageous Compassion are fingers on one hand - the Helping Hand.

I think I have certain mystic propertries per your definition. I wish I spent more time in prayer, meditation and contemplation which would make me even closer to God.

Definitely, and I have been writing about those experiences here on Gather.

Hi,
I would consider myself as having a mystic vision when I was young - 8 or 9. I've been following that insight ever since.

I've read and studied a great deal about mystics ever since.

It sounds as if quite a few of you consider yourself to be mystics or having had mystical experiences. If anyone would like to elaborate, I would love to hear about it and I'm sure others would too.

For me, my desire to feel at one with God came early, although I did not recognize it as such. It was a desire that welled up in me when I was outdoors in nature. At times I would have this sense of oneness with all of life. When I reached my 30's and began to see God as a force or energy, I began to see and really feel that presence of God within me, as well as within all of life.

What a wonderful question. I would consider myself a mystic in the sense of the word you describe. Even when I was practicing a more traditional Christian faith, I adhered to the belief that experience (of God) was just as important as faith and reason. On my present spiritual path, I am even more aware of the possibility of mystical experience.

As Isis says, the true mystic spends time is prayer/meditation/spiritual discipline.

Mystics may have had various "types" of backgrounds that lead up to the mystical realization, as many here have expressed in their own personal experiences.

The "key" to me though is that a true Mystic sees their relationship to the ESSENCE of God more than the religious (or "other") dogmatism that so often interjects concepts and ideas of specific differentiations into the "experience" ... Mystics have MORE in common with each other than they do with their religions, it involves perennial wisdom. IMnsHO.

Carla,

Thank you for making the connection between nature and spiritual awareness. I believe the two are intimately connected. I have heard that many Christian young people "find God" while at camps in the forest. I am not at all surprised. I found her walking by a river.

Isis, I was in a stream. I was about 12 years old. My parents had gone fishing and I asked them to drop me off at this stream on the way to the pond they fished in. I took off all my clothes and waded into the stream and just stood there. I could hear the cattle mooing in the pasture and the sound of frogs plopping into the water. Tadpoles brushed against my legs. The sun shone down through the trees like a spotlight. I turned my face upward and felt the warmth and a sense of oneness and beauty and love came over me. Then the tears began to roll down my cheeks. It was the most incredible feeling in the world. I wanted to freeze that moment in time.

I am intrigued by your experience, Lady Raven Spirit. Would you be willing to share it here or as an article to the group? It sounds very powerful.

I think the whole of life is a mystic experience.

I think that the essence of God, what the ancient Greeks called the Kristos, dwells within each of us. We call this by many different names, one of which is consciences.

I think this essence exists in all things, not just all living things, but in the rocks and pebbles and sand and in the air. Every microscopic piece of the universe is part of God's body, if you will.

So, I guess that does define me as a mystic at least in an abstract, intellectualized way.

Have I felt a "oneness" with God? I'm not sure if I have or I haven't. I do feel a growing oneness with His universe in many ways, however.

Good topic.

My first experience with feeling the presence of God was when I was 6 years old. Since then, I have seen countless experiences, including healings and other miracles.

Mystic, meditation, espteric thinking, symbols and metaphors, meditation ... It.s all I am living into most of the time. Not specifically following on religion but trying to learn a lot, as an outsier. Still, I know more about christian western religion, a bit about Zohar - Caballa-Jewish and tiny bit about sufis. Am I a mystic? I try to be meditative and contmpaltive.

That sounds interesting.