Christian Mysticism 101
Dec 31 2007
“It is in the ordinary duties and labors of life that the Christian can
and should develop his spiritual union with God. “
- Thomas Merton
Mysticism means the pursuit of being in communion with and having awareness of God, the Universe, and the realities that exists beyond empirical senses. Christian mysticism is about pursuing these things from a Christ-centered perspective. A mystic believes that the ultimate truths about the universe and reality cannot be discovered simply by means of study or intellectual investigation alone, but are discovered by means of spiritual disciplines, meditation, contemplation, and experience. A Christian mystic therefore believes that a relationship with God is not achieved simply by the study of Scripture but through prayer, meditation, obedience, and the purifying on one’s mind and heart through repentance and spiritual discipline.
The key to understanding the relevance and purpose of mysticism is knowing the terms “public revelation” and “private revelation”. Public revelation is that which God has revealed to all men, and we have a collective ability to examine and share those revelations. Public revelation forms a common bond of orthodoxy that allows us to worship and serve together in a community of believers.
Private revelation is that which God reveals to one person or a limited number of people. Mysticism is important in that there is so much left unrevealed publicly about our reality. These mysteries form an interaction between a person and God, as we grow closer to God we get to share in those mysteries. However, the limit to private revelation is that it is truth that cannot be imposed on others or be commonly accepted. Also, private revelation must always be tested against the foundation of public revelation to be sure we do not allow ourselves to be deceived. That being said, personal revelation enriches our spiritual lives, and is God’s way of forming bonds with His children. Christian mystics throughout the centuries have written, not to try to reveal these private revelations, but to pass down the disciplines of mysticism so that others may experience it for themselves.
It should be noted quickly that Christian mysticism is not sub-sect, denomination, or variation of Christianity. As stated before, Christian mysticism is simply mysticism from a Christ-centered perspective. More accurately, it is a part of Christianity just as the disciples of theology and philosophy.
Below is a menu of articles covering basic concepts of mysticism and Christian mysticism. It is my no means exhaustive, nor do I speak for all mystics. However, within my own time reading and conversing with mystics, both Christian and non-Christian, these concepts represent what I have found to be the major points of discussion.
“A king asked a sage to explain the Truth. In response the sage asked the king how he would convey the taste of a mango to someone who had never eaten anything sweet. No matter how hard the king tried, he could not adequately describe the flavor of the fruit, and, in frustration, he demanded of the sage ‘Tell me then, how would you describe it?’ The sage picked up a mango and handed it to the king saying ‘This is very sweet. Try eating it!’”
- Hindu Teaching Story
Continue Reading – Basic Concepts of Christian Mysticism >>
One evening during a private moment with God, I began whining about my personal lack of understanding over direction. At the time I was serving in the foreign mission field. Was I to remain in the present location or move. At the time the need for discerning my future steps was critical. I was overwhelmed to a point where all else became insignificant amidst that present concern, choking out any thought of the original reason for that private moment of communion with God.
Suddenly I heard a voice that simply and quietly whispered, “Frank, worship Me!”
I grugingly responded, first with several excuses over why my need for His answer was paramount. I then made a rather difficult choice to obey that word. I opened my Bible and found a passage from the book of Psalms that praised God. I then began to read it outloud.
With each word my thoughts and heart became increasingly intertwined in a timeless moment of praise to my creator. All self-centered thoughts, all cares, all painful emotions swiftly melted away. I was in the presence of my King and nothing else mattered.
It was a cloudless night and the stars were brilliant. The remoteness of my location yielded the view of a faint mist stretching across the sky – the Milky Way. I was caught up in a moment of such ecstacy, the likes of which I have yet to re-experience.
As I pondered on the vastness of the universe and of my God I once again heard the voice. He said, “Frank, do you see the stars in the sky? I made each of them… and each is exactly where I want it to be. And you are exactly where I want you to be.”
In our endeavor to understand life we experiment externally, which is science in order to understand the laws of life internally, which is spirituality.
Hi Yaholo,
I am wondering if you could write an article or point me towards how a “Christan Mystic” meditates? Or at least how you approach this topic. I am new to Mysticism but I think it is one of the best ways that I have seen to build a solid relationship with Christ. Or at least seems to me to be the case. I am still new to this as well as Christianity. Thanks for all of your hard work and insightful articles.
@Ryan
I am actually working on redoing this page to be more useful. If you are looking for direction on Christian mediation, I recommend looking for “contemplation”, which is often transposed for the word. Also, the “The Cloud of Unknowning”, which has an unknown author, is also worth a read.
Hi Ryan,
Great question. Here is the only Great answer: Hebrews 12:2, Heb 12:2-3
“2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him…” There is no higher form of meditation than to “see” the life and teachings of Christ through the eye of faith. It will allow us to see the future in the present making all that He said and did a reality and constant companion in every day living.This is walking in the Spirit who was sent to show us the meaning of Christ in us “The hope of glory.”
HI Ryan
A late reply but I think you want a practical response. Suggest you try the John Main tradition of meditation – based on 4th Century Desert fathers and is mainstream ecumenical. John Main was a Benedictine monk in late 20th C. Try site World Community for Christian Meditation