Being an unapologetic "mystic" at Heart, since childhood, means
for me experiencing the Living Presence of Life that animates all
life. Some call that God, The Divine, The Beloved, The Ineffable,
"The Mystery", Consciousness, Infinite Being, Spirit, Brahman,
The Tao, etc., etc., etc. It has many names and forms. It means
being able to see and experience "The Mystery" in the every-day-ness
of life; something I'm still "working" on - being more aware of the
Sacred in a chaotic world, in the mundane personal affairs of living;
the requirements of daily life: in the must do's and the have-to's
that always find their way to the top of my list, and seem to drive
life...
for me experiencing the Living Presence of Life that animates all
life. Some call that God, The Divine, The Beloved, The Ineffable,
"The Mystery", Consciousness, Infinite Being, Spirit, Brahman,
The Tao, etc., etc., etc. It has many names and forms. It means
being able to see and experience "The Mystery" in the every-day-ness
of life; something I'm still "working" on - being more aware of the
Sacred in a chaotic world, in the mundane personal affairs of living;
the requirements of daily life: in the must do's and the have-to's
that always find their way to the top of my list, and seem to drive
life...
A "mystical spirituality" pertains to direct experience with Ultimate
Reality/The Divine/"The Mystery"... Some may assume that a
"mystic" doesn't experience the darker feelings and frustrations with
living the Cosmic Dance of life. That has not been my experience.
A "mystic" just experiences them within context of the Greater Reality
- and learns to embrace them as part of the totality of experience.
Some feel that a "mystic" has special insights, or powers, or visions,
or is only interested in seeking "mystical experiences."
For me it is not about seeking experiences, but being open to the
movement of "The Mystery", the movement of Consciousness
through its many expressions, and at times experiencing an intimate
encounter with what I know to be "The Divine", like my Epiphany in
Nov. 2013, or Waking Up To Bliss like I did recently, or "meditative
writings" many years ago, and poetry that sometimes just spills
out onto the page.
Reality/The Divine/"The Mystery"... Some may assume that a
"mystic" doesn't experience the darker feelings and frustrations with
living the Cosmic Dance of life. That has not been my experience.
A "mystic" just experiences them within context of the Greater Reality
- and learns to embrace them as part of the totality of experience.
Some feel that a "mystic" has special insights, or powers, or visions,
or is only interested in seeking "mystical experiences."
For me it is not about seeking experiences, but being open to the
movement of "The Mystery", the movement of Consciousness
through its many expressions, and at times experiencing an intimate
encounter with what I know to be "The Divine", like my Epiphany in
Nov. 2013, or Waking Up To Bliss like I did recently, or "meditative
writings" many years ago, and poetry that sometimes just spills
out onto the page.
Mystical Spirituality acknowledges the universality of what most have
come to call "God," "The Divine", or Buddha Nature (Dharmakaya),
not associated with any particular faith, religion, or practice, but a
transcendent truth - realizing that humans, at the very core of their
being are both "Divine" and human; formlessness and form, spirit
in matter, Timelessness in time... This "union" takes place within
ourselves with the realization that we are not a separate entity from
our Divinity, from Consciousness ItSelf, needing to grovel our way
back - but that "comm-union" is always happening. There is always
only the movement of "Divinity" through life, through us. There is
no other "Higher" Self to search for. It's all Here within us...
come to call "God," "The Divine", or Buddha Nature (Dharmakaya),
not associated with any particular faith, religion, or practice, but a
transcendent truth - realizing that humans, at the very core of their
being are both "Divine" and human; formlessness and form, spirit
in matter, Timelessness in time... This "union" takes place within
ourselves with the realization that we are not a separate entity from
our Divinity, from Consciousness ItSelf, needing to grovel our way
back - but that "comm-union" is always happening. There is always
only the movement of "Divinity" through life, through us. There is
no other "Higher" Self to search for. It's all Here within us...
Wayne Teasdale, a 20th Century Christian Mystic, and author of
A Mystic Heart, says: "Mystical Spirituality draws us into the depths
of our Being, where we come face to face with ourselves, our weakness
AND with the Ultimate Mystery. Spirituality is not external religiosity,
not confined to ritual and liturgy. It is a way of life that affects and
includes every moment of existence. It is a disposition to a life of depth."
A Mystic Heart, says: "Mystical Spirituality draws us into the depths
of our Being, where we come face to face with ourselves, our weakness
AND with the Ultimate Mystery. Spirituality is not external religiosity,
not confined to ritual and liturgy. It is a way of life that affects and
includes every moment of existence. It is a disposition to a life of depth."
He goes on - "How we make the journey is what spirituality is really
about - finding our own path. This means finding a way to/awareness
of the vast unlimited Consciousness of The Divine, The Mystery
within. We are created for this 'spiritual journey' - the direct and
immediate experience of Ultimate Reality, which knows everything
as ItSelf. Being infinitely aware, it knows in a unitive and universal
fashion through awareness of no distance between ourselves and
the Ultimate Mystery... The spiritual journey is essentially one of
discovering the roots of our true identity. It is a process of the totality
of Consciousness, from which we arise.
about - finding our own path. This means finding a way to/awareness
of the vast unlimited Consciousness of The Divine, The Mystery
within. We are created for this 'spiritual journey' - the direct and
immediate experience of Ultimate Reality, which knows everything
as ItSelf. Being infinitely aware, it knows in a unitive and universal
fashion through awareness of no distance between ourselves and
the Ultimate Mystery... The spiritual journey is essentially one of
discovering the roots of our true identity. It is a process of the totality
of Consciousness, from which we arise.
He further says - "Everything is part of an undivided wholeness where
each being reflects this totality. Non-duality means 'not two, and yet,
not one.' [I know this is not the traditional Advaita/Non-dual
definition, but it is my experience as well.] That is, the relationship
between Divine Reality and human being is a subtle distinction,
but not a separation. And so the relationship is said to be non-dual.
Human beings are essentially Divine." [or Pure Consciousness, etc.]
each being reflects this totality. Non-duality means 'not two, and yet,
not one.' [I know this is not the traditional Advaita/Non-dual
definition, but it is my experience as well.] That is, the relationship
between Divine Reality and human being is a subtle distinction,
but not a separation. And so the relationship is said to be non-dual.
Human beings are essentially Divine." [or Pure Consciousness, etc.]
Wayne Teasdale
20th Century Christian Mystic
from - A Mystic Heart
20th Century Christian Mystic
from - A Mystic Heart
~
"We cannot live in a world that is interpreted for us by others.
[We must] take back our own listening,
use our own voice,
see our own Light."
[We must] take back our own listening,
use our own voice,
see our own Light."
Hildegard of Bingen
12th Century Christian Mystic
12th Century Christian Mystic
_/\_
Namaste
~
