Mysticism Defined

Mysticism Defined...

Mysticism appears to be one of those many subjects people tend to stay away from. It is avoided because it is misunderstood and wrongly associated with Catholicism. The writer knows people who will reject anything a mystic may say based upon the "mystic status" of the one being rejected. This is a sad habit. As Bishop Ryle states in his "Expository Thoughts on the Gospels", "I have found light where I expected to find darkness and darkness where I expected to find light" [paraphrased]. A good rule to study by is this; All truth belongs to God regardless from whom it comes.

Having written the above, I would like to provide my readers with a series of simple, practical definitions of "mystic". These definitions will be in the form of easily digestable sentences which should help you to "think upon these things". These definitions come from the writer and are not borrowed from no others, but, (he hopes) the Holy Spirit. Let's begin...

#1. Mystics, it seems, are chosen by God for a special communion with Him.
#2. One can be a mystic and not be aware of it because of a misunderstanding of the term.
#3. After reading the Word of God, the mystic walks closely with the God of the Word.
#4. He Who inspired the Scriptures inspires the walk, the thoughts, the feelings of the mystic.
#5. Mysticism is God speaking and being heard.
#6. Mysticism is a constant satisfying awareness of God's constant Presence.
#7. The mystic prays without ceasing.
#8. With the mystic, words are not a needful part of communion with God. In fact, they can hinder his communion.
#9. The spirit of prayer rests upon the mystic. He falls asleep in prayer and when he "awake[s], I am still with Thee" (Psalm 139"18). Note the word "still".
#10. The mystic inhales the holy Presence of God and exhales ceaseless prayer and praise.
#11. The mystic thinks in terms of prayer/communion and this is second nature.
#12. The mystic lives outside and above man's tradition and, therefore, he is offensive to man.
#13. The mystic's great fear is broken fellowship with God.
#14. The mystic loves God.
#15. The mystic practically lives in the "new Heaven" already.
#16. The mystic's great goal is God and God alone.

In closing, mysticism is not "myth-icism" but it is a constant dwelling in the Presence of the Original Mystery. Mysticism is a mystery to the "non-mystic". Mysticism has nothing to do with denominations. Mysticism is a very real and very practical walk with God.

Buried in Christ,
St. Loder, a mystic.