Practical Christian Mysticism

Every man naturally desireth to know; but what availeth knowledge without fear of God? Better, surely, is an humble rustic that serveth God, than a proud philosopher that, neglecting himself, studieth the course of the heavens.
- Thomas À Kempis from The Imitation of Christ

If you wish to contact me, you can do so through MySpace or Facebook. The links to my profiles are listed on the bottom of this page. I don’t have an email link in hopes of avoiding spam.

Where I am on the Internet…

• MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/yaholo22
  
• FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=500717483
  
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/Yaholo
• weRead: http://weread.com/profile/index.php?id=B83157C8-A92D-46D0-AA78-0F7D11F9EEE9#
• Windows Live Spaces: http://yaholo22.spaces.live.com
  

Why do I call myself “The Practical Mystic”? Although I am a mystic, my life is not that of most mystics. I am a father and husband who is also an entrepreneur and active businessman. Instead of the religious life, I live life in the so-called “fast-lane”. In my heart I am a mystic, and I often feel like an outsider or “spy” in the commercial and secular world.

I don’t use the phrase to set me apart or elevate myself from others who call themselves mystics. Quite the opposite, I use the phrase “Practical Mystic” to simply justify my claim as a mystic at all. I often envy those who have chosen the religious life, monastic life, or even just the simple life. In many ways, they know and can experience things I cannot.

That being said, I realized God has given me a gift: by having the heart of, and seeing the world as, a mystic I am able to provide unique insight into places and topics that are otherwise seen as secular, neutral, or Godless. Living as a mystic in the corporate world has allowed me to see how God works in the world, even in the places people go to get away from Him.

The name “Yaholo” is a Native American (Muscogee/Creek) name meaning “One Who Yells”. My family gave me this name because I am loud (very loud) and passionate. I preach and get on rants often. I use the name because it fits me very well and since my real name (Chris Hoyt) is so common, it is harder for people to find me by that name on the Internet.

To me God is everywhere and in everything (probably my most defining trait as a mystic). I get to help others who have to work in the secular world live their faith and journey into mysticism in their everyday lives. Living in the world (and making a living) gives me a perspective to apply the principles of the Tao (Christ the Word) to business, economics, philosophy, and family life.

I am practicing Catholic, but believe in a very ecumenical perspective. I know the Holy Spirit works far beyond the borders of the Catholic Church. However, I also believe in unity with is one of the major reasons for my return to the original Church of Jesus Christ. Denominational separation does more to hurt than help Christianity, but that is all I will say on the topic here.

I sometimes long for a life where I could revel in, and serve, the Church exclusively. However, I realize Christ has lead me to where I am for a purpose. If I were to put in terms of the Tao, I would say I am the mystic who has the burden of carrying a sword instead of a staff.

Sincerely,
Yaholo

Heroes: St. John of the Cross, St. Philip Neri, St. Francis of Assisi, John Bunyan, C.S. Lewis, Rod Serling, Oswald Chambers, Mark Lowry, G.K. Chesterton

Hobbies: Go (An Ancient Board Game), Riding My Bike, PoxNora, Pinball

Favorite Books: The Imitation of Christ, The Chronicles of Narnia, My Utmost for His Highest, A Christmas Carol, Tao Te Ching, Dark Night of the Soul, A Pilgrim’s Progress, The Complete Calvin and Hobbes, The Way of Chuang Tzu [You can see my online bookshelf here: http://weread.com/profile/index.php?id=B83157C8-A92D-46D0-AA78-0F7D11F9EEE9#]

Favorite Artists: Norman Rockwell, Salvador Dali

Favorite Music: Yoko Kanno, Tait, DC Talk, Petra, Relient K, Switchfoot, P.O.D., Mute Math, Alice Cooper, Gnarls Barkley

Favorite Movies: Kung Fu Panda, Les Miserables (1998), Donnie Darko, Fight Club, π, Frailty, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Enter the Dragon, The Matrix Trilogy, Back to the Future Trilogy, Gulliver’s Travels (1996), The Seven Samurai, Kung Fu Hustle, The Last Mimzy, Gattaca, The 13th Warrior

Favorite Series: The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, Ghost in the Shell S.A.C., GTO, Looney Tunes, Animaniacs, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Samurai Jack, Kung Fu, Millennium, Invader Zim, Star Trek: The Next Generation

Oh yeah… and I love these:

“A little non-sense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.” - Roald Dahl

“I believe in Christianity as I believe in the rising sun; not because I see it, but by it I can see all else.” - C.S. Lewis

“Happy is a yuppie word. Blessed is the man who’s lost it all.” - Jonathan Foreman of Switchfoot