Posts Tagged ‘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 […]


Seven Stages of Alchemy. Stage 1, Calcination.

As revealed in the Emerald Tablet, by Hermes Trismegistus, there are seven stages of spiritual alchemy. The first stage is Calcination, which refers to the burning off of all the superfluous elements of ourselves, until we are purified and all that was calcified is removed. Our preconceived notions about our identity and our beliefs are […]


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.


Don’t Go Back to Sleep

13th century Sufi mystic poet Rumi enjoins us to wake up, be present and become aware of the depth and complexity of the unseen world— that lies just beyond the doorsill.


The Night

Rainer Maria Rilke uses the image of night to take us beyond the surface and the limits of our prejudices, to see “people, nations, just as they are”.


What. is Prayer?

Our speakers discuss prayer and how it relates to a contemplative practice.


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.


Contemplation in the Material World

Where does the contemplative life fit, in terms of living in the material world? We asked our group of speakers how a contemplative practice can be assimilated into an everyday life in the material world. Their answers were varied and thoughtful.


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.


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 […]


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. […]


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.


Love and Suffering

Fr Richard Rohr says we can become open to God through great love or great suffering.