Spiritual Alchemy
Alchemy is an ancient practice whose practitioners sought to turn lead into gold, Spiritual alchemy uses the metaphor of transforming metals into gold for attaining spiritual enlightenment, or breaking down the image of who we think we are to discover who we truly are, at the soul level.
Alchemy Intro 1
Alchemy is the medieval forerunner of modern science, Based on the goal of transforming matter, alchemists attempted to purify, mature, and perfect certain materials. They were particularly interested in attempting to convert base metals into gold, or to find a universal elixir.
Is Contemplation Isolating?
The Contemplative Path—is it Isolating? We asked our speakers if they felt that being a contemplative means being isolated, or removed from the world. Here are some of their responses.
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]