I am interested in hearing from persons — whether Christian or not — who have an opinion on how to define "Christian mysticism." What separates Christian mysticism from other aspects of Christian spirituality? What distinguishes Christian mysticism from non-Christian forms of mysticism? Is there a difference between Christian mysticism and "new age" Christianity (like "A Course in Miracles" or the writings of Paul Ferrini)? And finally, how can mysticism be a significant part of Christianity in our time, and in the future? Please feel free to weigh in with your opinion, but I'm especially interested in scriptural support for whatever you may believe about this topic. Thank you!
2007-05-13 14:38:13 · 8 answers · asked by anamchara 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Greetings!
In my experience as a Minister, some people only want to know what "benefits" of a particular Religion are availiable.
They treat it the same as buying insurance, or rooting for a footbal team-the Human Condition.
"New-Age", "Non-Christian", "Christian Spirituality", all share Elements, but it is the individual which defines the Actions produced.
"The tradition of Christian Mysticism is as old as Christianity itself. At least three texts from the New Testament set up themes that recur throughout the recorded thought of the Christian mystics. The first, Galatians 2:20, says that:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The second important scriptural text for Christian mysticism is 1 John 3:2:
Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
The third such text, especially important for Eastern Christian mysticism, is found in II Peter 1:4:
...Exceedingly great and precious promises [are given unto us]; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Two major themes of Christian mysticism are (1) a complete identification with, or imitation of Christ, to achieve a unity of the human spirit with the spirit of God; and (2) the perfect vision of God, in which the mystic seeks to experience God "as he is," and no more "through a glass, darkly." (1 Corinthians 13:12)"
(wikipedia)
I am Initiate in a Mystic Christian sect, and the emphasis is on practices where Knowledge turns to Wisdom, and one proceeds into the World with the ability for Right Action.
Christianity must either evolve, or go back to its Root, in order to interact with the "Real World".
/!\
2007-05-14 12:32:29 · answer #1 · answered by Ard-Drui 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mysticism is the development within the inner self of a beautiful process leading to "Wisdom". Without wisdom
man is like a leaf blowing in a turbulent wind. There have been Mystics in every form of religion. Most have hidden themselves away from the world, never to be seen again.
Mystics know that there is a world of the "seen' and the world of the "unseen". If one experiences the world of the "unseen", questions pertaining to the outer world or "seen" are easier to comprehend. Mysticism ultimately is that which allows man to come to a greater understanding of the relationship between man and God. Mysticism was practiced by all of Gods Prophets. This is something that is very difficult for most humans to understand unless they clear the excess baggage from the mind and heart, allowing the heart to open.
When the heart of man opens a beautiful fragrance is emitted, attracting the one we call God.
Its much like a flower opening, attracting the honey bee.
It's not an easy path, for it takes patience, determination and certitude.
Mystics have surrendered their heart to God.
Allowing their will to melt and allowing Gods will to be permenant in their life.
All mystics are identical. They are one happy family living in "Unity"
2007-05-13 15:14:14 · answer #2 · answered by WillRogerswannabe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Christian Mystic is like any other mystic who has had a mystic experience, but after the experience, since they are a Christian they relate the experience to Christianity.
St. John of the Cross is a famous Christian mystic.
Mystics all tend to experience Unity.
2007-05-13 14:43:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
The aim of the christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit.
The highest gift of the spirit that some saints of the East aquired, was in the school of Hesychast. To step into it, you may find information in the Philocalia.
Philocalia A collection of writtings of the Fathers of the Church, begining from the time of Constantine.
It contains the instructions, admonitions, and personal experimental knowledge of the spiritual path written by holy man and saints.
The Prayer of Jesus or The Prayer of the Heart is it special province. The selection, on this matter, from St. Simeon the New Theologian can be found also in the Philocalia (Philokalia).
The Hesychast, are practitioners in this form of prayer.
The Holly Bible mentions the need for seaceless praying in order to acquire de Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and is one of the major inward and outward expressions of a mystic life.
In the Conversation of Saint Seraphim of Sorov with Nicholas Motovilov concerning the Aim of a Christian Life, we read
"The Holy Spirit itself enters our soul, and this entrance into our soul of Him, the Almightly, and the presence with our spirit of the Triune Majesty is only granted to us through our own assiduous acquisition of the Holly Spirit, which prepares in our soul and body a throne for the all-creative presence of God with our spirit according to His irrevocable word".
Also see "Three Methods of Attention and Prayer", by Simon the New Theologian. Fabar and Faber Ltd. from the Writtings
from The Philokalia on Prayer of the Heart, transladed by E.Kadloubovsky and G.E.H. Palmer
See, Chapter II, Mysticism in the New testament from The Story of Mysticism by Hilda (Charlotte?) Gray. Dobleday 7 Co, inc Garden City, New York 1965. Library of Congress catalog card number 65-19934
Other sources:
Abelson, J Jewish Mysticism / Baumgardt, David Great Western Mystics / Butler, C. western Mysticism / Fremantle,Anne ed. protestant Mystics / Gobry, Y The nature of Mysticism.Pinguin Books. / Lossky, Vladimir Mystical Theology of the eastern Church / Rice, Cyprian. The Pesian Sufis / Spencer, S. Mysticism in world religion. Penguin Books /Underhill, evelyn. Mysticism. meridian books.`
For non Christian mystisism aditional information can be obtained by writtings of Da Avabhasa, the Dawn Horse Press, Clearlake, California
2007-05-16 02:55:52 · answer #4 · answered by Jorge T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that mysticism is a direct experiencing of the Divine force, whatever the person chooses to call it.
2007-05-13 15:32:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
*I* define it as a Christian-themed interpretation of standard metaphysics.
2007-05-13 14:41:45 · answer #6 · answered by Irina Alisa Bee 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, I don't even attempt to.
2007-05-14 08:45:37 · answer #7 · answered by Rob F. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Horse dung
2007-05-13 14:39:56 · answer #8 · answered by Robert K 5 · 0⤊ 6⤋