Mysticism

Alchemy 5,6,7

Alchemy is about the transformation of the self. It is transforming the base self into gold, or spiritual awareness. Stage five: Fermentation, describes the decay of one’s old self and the rebirth of one’s true self. The first four stages involved discarding our old, inauthentic self and drawing together the authentic elements within us. Stage […]


A Hunger for Wholeness

Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD, Franciscan Sister from Washington, DC, American theologian and prolific author, talks about our need to create an interior universe, in an introduction to her new book, A Hunger for Wholeness: On Soul, Space and Transcendence.


God and Love (12)

One of the foundations of mysticism is the idea that there is one mind or one divine essence or God, by whatever name it is called. The divine presence exists in unity and longs to know itself. From God’s longing to know itself, creation began. The divine essence dreams the dream of life or the […]


Magic and Miracles (11)

Generally Western culture is grounded in scientific fact, in which things are only real if you can see, study, or examine them, or if they are verifiable by others. From a spiritual point of view there are many things we don’t understand about our universe and reality. The things we don’t understand appear to us […]


Spiritual Pilgrimage and Mystical Path (10)

A spiritual pilgrimage is a mystic quest for the hidden treasure. Pilgrims on this mystic quest are not actually traveling to an outward destination but rather they are journeying along the mystical path in search their own spiritual center. Spiritual pilgrimages can help pilgrims refocus their faith. Their purpose is to open themselves to a […]


Mysticism and Death (9)

Physical death is the mystical experience we will all have and it can be seen as being as sacred as physical birth. Death brings a release from our dualistic life, taking us into a new form of existence. Mysticism regards this transformation as one of the most sacred and elevating experiences we will ever have, […]


What is Awakening or Enlightenment? (8)

Mystical awakening can occur when something happens that makes us realize that there is a larger mystery of existence than we had thought. This mystical experience can be like awakening from a dream, and you are suddenly able to see life in a completely different way. People awaken to see the inner truth and higher […]


Mystical Awakening Through Prayer (7)

Prayer is an important part of the spiritual practice which can lead to a mystical awakening. From a mystical standpoint the intention of prayer is the intention of achieving a mystical awakening in which our consciousness achieves union with the divine consciousness. This union is the same for all people communing through their mystical awakening […]


Techniques for Mystical Awakening (6)

Seekers of spiritual experiences can achieve a mystical awakening by using a variety of techniques, including sounds, dancing, meditation, and praying. Sounds have been used throughout history to help achieve a mystical state of mystical awakening and communion with the inner spirit. Instruments, including drums and gongs have aided with the mysticism seeker’s ability to […]


How Can We Achieve A Mystical State? (5)

Throughout history and different religious traditions, people have used a great number of techniques to enter into a mystical state and to open themselves up to the mystic experience. Many are successful because the mystical state is completely natural and lies in the background of everything. Because mysticism is a natural state, it can manifest […]


Religion and Dualism (4)

Human beings by nature tend to practice dualism, by naming and categorizing things into this or that. Even a religion is essentially a way of turning things into this or that. Dualism can lead us into making good or bad determinations, in which one thing is seen as being better than the other. The dualistic […]


How is mysticism different from religion? (3)

Mysticism is an essential element in all religions. However, it can never be the whole content of any religious tradition. This is because religions must be based in a context of history, dogma, and institutions in order to be effective. Religions are a social phenomenon which binds people together in a positive way. However it […]


The Mystic Path to Understanding (2)

Around the world wherever conscious beings exist we can find people searching to find a place of oneness or the world’s soul. There seems to be a universal longing for truth, understanding, and reaching a mystical awakening. Mysticism focuses on working to uncover our deep internal reality and reach new experiences of understanding by traveling […]


Exploring Mysticism (1)

The mystic quest for understanding the human purpose is discussed. Several spiritual leaders talk about their explorations into the mystery of mysticism. People’s spiritual needs have been expressed through the centuries across the essential religious experiences of human kind. Mystics traveling on a mystical journey are found at the center of every single spiritual tradition. […]


What is Mysticism?

Pamela Desvernie talks about what mysticism means to her and how all things are one from a mystical world view ….. Stay tuned for our full length study of mysticism and the mystic journey.


Mystical Knowing

Mary Reed, the “Unwitting Mystic” talks about meditation, contemplation, and the experience of embodiment on the path to mystical knowing. ….Enjoy these short excerpts taken from interviews for our upcoming full-length documentary on mysticism. Stay tuned!


Inner Knowing

Lama Palden Drolma discusses the Buddhist mystical path. .. ….Enjoy these short excerpts taken from interviews for our upcoming full-length documentary on mysticism. Stay tuned!


The Mystic Path

Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, Murshida of Sufism Reoriented, talks about the journey of soul.


Attaining Mystical States

Rabbi Aubrey Glazer, of Congregation Beth Shalom, San Francisco, talks about Attaining a Mystical State, in Jewish Mystical Thought.


Mystic Wisdom

Sufi Hadi Paul Reicherz defines mysticism and discusses its relationship with religion.


Sufi Wisdom

Shankina Reinhertz talks about seeing, listening and becoming—the embodiment of the holy in Sufi mystical tradition.


Mysticism and Hinduism

A conversation with Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami at the Hindu Monastery in Kauai.


Exploring the Mystery – Timothy Freke

Timothy Freke, author and philosopher, discusses the mystical experience.


What is Prayer?

Fr Richard Rohr discusses true prayer.