What is "mystic"?

Answer 1

Mysticism refers to achieving a personal consciousness of divine truth. Mystics tend to believe that concepts of evil and redemption are meaningless. What is important to the mystic is understanding hidden "knowledge" that allows this enlightening personal consciousness to unfold.

Answer 2

An uncommon human being.
A mystic may well walk his talk and live according to his/her depth of vision.
He/she may utter words like illusion and offer pointers that may or may not still the human mind long enough to realise its primary dis-function.
A mystic is totally alone in the real sense, all-one!
He may suggest that to discover the answer to this question is simple.
Uncover what a mystic is not!
To the dysfunctional mind it may well sound mysterious or lacking in meaning.
That is part of the dysfunction.
I didn't want to offer you a mere definition of that word, dictionaries can do a better job than i can. I didn't want to offer you someones Else's opinion either that's rather a second hand response.
So this is my humble offering, for what it is.

Answer 3

Mystic - The above definition presents a modern Western/Scientific view on what a mystic is. In the East, a slightly different perspective is that mystics can be considered as metaphysicians, philosophers, or thinkers who are more similar to the Greek root of the word philosopher - philosophos - meaning lover of wisdom than the present day meaning of philosopher. The primal difference between a mystic and a present day philosopher would be that a mystic works towards spiritual fulfillment where as a present day philosopher in some sense works towards academic recognition, i.e. their motivation for their chosen paths are different. A mystic just as every other thinker, wants to help make a difference in the world, but understands the limitations of language. A true mystic then tries to approach the situation by being mystical and hence truthful to himself in his actions.

When we use the word reality it is in itself an oxymoron, as in the above definition where realities (the plural) is used. Two equivalent definitions of reality are (1) The totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence, or (2) That which exists objectively and in fact. The two uses of the word are contradictory hence making the above definition of a mystic a one sided view.

This is better expressed in Okakura Kakuzo's words. “The ancient sages (mystics) never put their teachings in systematic form. They spoke in paradoxes, for they were afraid of uttering half-truths. They began by talking like fools and ended by making their hearers wise." Good examples of a western mystics are William Blake and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Good examples of eastern mystics are Lao Tze and Swami Vivekananda

Answer 4

Mystics generally hold that there is a deeper, more fundamental state of existence hidden beneath the appearances of day–to–day living (which may become, to the mystic, superficial or epiphenomenal). For the mystic, the intangible is the focus, and may be perceived in any of various ways — as God, ultimate reality, a universal presence, a force or principle, psychological emancipation — and be experienced or realized directly. Such experiences are spoken of, variously, as ecstatic revelation, theosis, direct experience of the divine or of universal principles, nirvana, enlightenment, satori, samadhi, etc. They are sometimes characterized by a fading or loss of self, or a perceived interconnection with all existence, and are often accompanied by feelings of peace, joy or bliss, as well as severe cultural alienation. In other traditions such as Bhakti the experience is given as one of a deep loving interaction with God.

Mysticism is usually understood in a religious context, but as William James (1902) points out, mystical experiences may happen to anyone, regardless of religious training or inclinations. Such experiences can occur unbidden and without preparation at any time, and might not be understood as religious experiences at all. They may be interpreted, perhaps, as artistic, scientific, or other forms of inspiration, or even dismissed as psychological disturbances. With that in mind, the word mysticism, is best used to point to conscious and systematic attempts to gain mystical experiences through studies and practice. Possible techniques include meditation, prayer, asceticism, devotions, the chanting of mantras or holy names, and intellectual investigation. Mystics typically go beyond specific religious perspectives or dogmas in their teachings, espousing an inclusive and universal perspective that rises above sectarian differences. (see interdenominationalism, interfaith, and perennial philosophy).

James points out that a mystical experience displays the world through a different lens than ordinary experience. The experience, in his words, is "ineffable" and "noetic"; placed beyond the descriptive abilities of language. While there is debate over what this implies, and whether the experience actually transcends the phenomenal or material world of ordinary perception, or rather transcends the capacities of ordinary perception to bring the phenomenal and material world into full view. Such debates are not a mainstay of mystical teaching. Mystics focus on the experience itself, and rarely concern themselves with ontological discussions

Answer 5

From Dictionary Com:

1. involving or characterized by esoteric, otherworldly, or symbolic practices or content, as certain religious ceremonies and art; spiritually significant; ethereal.
2. of the nature of or pertaining to mysteries known only to the initiated: mystic rites.
3. of occult character, power, or significance: a mystic formula.
4. of obscure or mysterious character or significance.
5. of or pertaining to mystics or mysticism.
6. a person who claims to attain, or believes in the possibility of attaining, insight into mysteries transcending ordinary human knowledge, as by direct communication with the divine or immediate intuition in a state of spiritual ecstasy.
7. a person initiated into religious mysteries.

Answer 6

A mystic is an individual who uncovered the mysteries of life. He is a human being like us, but he is not confused like us. He can glide over the waves of the uncharted seas(miseries of the psychological world), he is the one who reached the other shore.

Answer 7

1. adj.
Of or relating to religious mysteries or occult rites and practices.
Of or relating to mysticism or mystics.
Inspiring a sense of mystery and wonder.

Mysterious; strange.
Enigmatic; obscure.
Mystical.

2. A port city in Connecticut.

Answer 8

She's a character in Xmen...no seriously mystic is when a person has something that is mysterious about them something you cant quite fathom, or work out, cannot understand clearly, it remains obscure.

Answer 9

Its a cool PC Game among other things listed here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystic

Answer 10

the dictionary meaning if the word mystic is:- of hidden or symbolicmeaning,especially in religion......like inspiring a sense of mystery and awe....