Mysticism and the Holy Fire

[Guest guest]

Hello Beloveds,

 

I was reading some articles on Christian Mysticism on the Wild Things

of God website. I really enjoyed this excerpt. Some of what is said

can apply to most any path, and that is why I share it here.

 

Love, dhyana

 

 

 

Anyone who undertakes this adventure of striving to know God directly,

soon learns that it doesn't happen instantly; there are stages to the

process. Eastern Orthodox Christians often envision it as Jacob's

ladder, leading to upward to God. Western saints, such as Meister

Eckhart, Teresa of Ávila, and John of the Cross use other analogies,

such as going deeper within the " Interior Castle. " Evelyn Underhill

describes the stages as awakening, purification, illumination,

surrender or the " Dark Night of the soul, " and divine union. Matthew

Fox describes it as a four-fold path.

 

The usefulness of these analogies is limited. Any attempt to describe

the process of awakening to the indescribable is essentially drawing a

map on water. One thing is certain, however. There will be letting

go—of fears, desires, and even your self. And as more is released,

more is received. (Or so it appears—really we just get rid of what is

blocking us from seeing God's perfect goodness that was already there

all along. The wonder of God's own Self.

 

Mystics over the centuries have advised spiritual practice for the

releasing and receiving that is the essential rhythm of this life. In

more familiar terms, meditation. If you're surprised because you've

never heard your minsters urge you to meditate, you're not alone. Most

Christian denominations, particularly the newer ones, have little

history. But the stillness of meditation, or contemplation [from con

(with) + temp (time) literally, " time with " God] has been the

foundation of spiritual practice from the beginning centuries to the

present. It's concentrated practice in releasing.

 

Let go. Let God. Let go. Let God. These are the two endless rhythms of

the soul in the mystical life.

 

dangers?

 

You may have heard that mysticism is dangerous. It's occultic, it's

not Christian, it " begins in mist and ends in schism, " and so forth.

All of those allegations are false, at least concerning an authentic

mysticism as seeking the direct knowledge of God. Nevertheless, just

as with everything else that can be experienced in this lifetime,

there are some things to be aware of.

 

The greatest real danger is of attitude. Pride can lead to spiritual

deception, mistaking intellectual change for spiritual progress. Fear

can cause us to give up, and rationalize away the need for

transformation. Holding on to experiences is probably the most subtle

pitfall. On this adventure, you may encounter God in thrilling ways,

with experiences of spiritual ecstasy. (Or you might not.) You might

have experiences of miracles, of supernatural insight, of visions, of

having healing power, and so forth. (Or you might not.) The

experiences, when they come, if they come, are for you to be

encouraged, to keep on letting go. Seeking to repeat a feeling or

experience is a very, very, common distraction.

 

Another thing you might want to be aware of is loneliness. Since most

Christian bodies have no teaching of mysticism past perhaps a few

approved experiences (speaking in tongues, for example), it is going

to be hard to find company for this journey, which is one of the

reasons I created this website. Jesus called this way of living in the

Kingdom of heaven " the narrow path, " and said few find it.

Furthermore, few even care!

 

He also said " foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests, but the

Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. " This is also true. No

church—no institution of any kind, really, is designed to be a home to

those who want to truly want to follow the Son of Man this way, which

means going beyond institutional experience. You will feel tired from

time to time. You will have periods of dryness, and may want to throw

in the towel for a little while. Or even a long while. The work itself

is your rest, your meeting-place with God, the Restorer of your being.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing that, Dhyana.

 

Love,

Linda

 

 

, " novalees "

<dhyana wrote:

>

> Hello Beloveds,

>

> I was reading some articles on Christian Mysticism on the Wild Things