About Me
Dec 30 2007
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 Twitter or Facebook. The links to my profiles are listed below. I don’t have an email link in hopes of avoiding spam.
Where I am on the Internet…
- FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=500717483
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/Yaholo
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
Hey, my name is Chris and I just stumbled upon your site. I wanted to tell you that I find it extremely refreshing. I am a non-denominational protestant and it’s difficult to deal with the stagnation of the people around me sometimes. I just realized how melodramatic that sounds but its sort of true. I like everything I have read and I wanted to give you some prayer and encouragement. I know how hard it is to try and stir people to actually own their faith and not just expect leaders to spoonfeed them. So thats all I hope that my words might be a blessing to you.
-CCC
Thank you, it is appreciated
are you a rosicrucian?
@markon
Nope. But that is an interesting question to ask so simply as you could be referring to the medieval legacy or one of many modern day groups.
Hi Yaholo,
Would you consider participating in the Spiritual Success Forum on my site? I believe that your insights and perspective would be of benefit there and you may find some interesting information as well.
Best Wishes,
James
Thanks for the invitation, I will be sure to check it out. Already caught a couple things that grabbed my interest!
I just discovered your website and glad I did.
have you ever read any of the books by Bernadette Roberts? You might find them interesting.
Greetings Chris,
I just want to say this was beautiful article. I was wondering if you ever read or heard of, Science of Mind, by Ernest Holmes. I am a Mystic myself but started from very fundamental baptist background. Now I am free from all legalism of the past. I enjoy the Spirit of God in the present. I attend a Center for Spiritual Living here in California. Just wanted to touch basis.
Namaste
I also play GO (9kyu level) and I teach GO to several class of elementary age kids at church on Sunday nights. I have recently re-started reading the Hikaru No Go series and I think there is a spiritual element to this story that is profound (as is the game of GO). Think of Sai is the Holy Spirit indewlling in Hikaru, sometimes inspiring Hikaru, and sometimes outright working through Hikaru to do things (defeat cruel opponents, amaze opponents with his skill and defeat the Meijin). At the end of course, Sai’s spirit leaves Hikaru and I guess goes up to Heaven (I haven’t read that far).
Hello Yaholo,
Do you read George MacDonald? I was surprised not to see him on your list! Your site was mentioned on a MacDonald email list, so I came over to check it out. I love the Tao article!
Sonia
@Sonia
Yes, I enjoy George MacDonald both as an individual and as half of C.S. Lewis’ brain. Thanks for the kind remarks.
Hi Yaholo,
Just wanted to touch base and say ‘thanks!’
You put into words why I too became a catholic – I’m reassured to know there are quite a few of us out there!
I’m reading and loving ‘A Seven Storey Mountain’ by Thomas Merton. Also enjoyed ‘The Inner Room – A journey into Lay Monasticism’ by Mark Plaiss.
In loving fellowship,
Piglet
@Piglet – Thanks for the kind remarks. I will need to pickup the ‘The Inner Room’ sometime.
1st of all we can’t figerout weather you and your groups are tehadiso or ortodox in my opinion it is beter to tell us franklly we don’t mined what ever you are but religon must not be secreat you have to defen for all thing htat you are bleave I am eagerly looking your answer.If this is not the Ethiopian taologos TV site please send it for them
@Eyobed
Huh?
Yaholo -
So blessed by the conversation today. God is moving.
Maria
Hello Yaholo!
I noticed everyone is recommending books so I thought I would recommend a book I just recently finished (although, with the type of person you seem to be, it is likely you’ve already read it!) it’s called Father Joe: The Man Who Saved My Soul. It’s pretty life-changing, though if you’ve already read it, then you know!
Thanks for this blog, I have enjoyed reading it so far and look forward to delving into it more deeply!
KC
Nice site, my friend. You and I may be on similar pursuits, it seems. I’ll add your site to mine, as they may appeal to the same sort of seekers.
Peace upon you.
I stumbled upon your site due to an image search on Google for the word “consumerism”. I read your about page and thought you might like a quote I once read in one Webster’s Dictionary. It’s for the word meek in the verb form.
“Man himself, meeked by his Creator, may when taught and tamed, share the divine life.” -Anne Fremantle
She died in 2002 at age 93.
May you have peace.