Dec 31 2007
Christian Mysticism 101
“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
It came out really well Chris.
