MYSTICS

What is a Mystic? A Mystic is a person who after some period of seeking, now directly feels a deep and direct connection with the Divine.  Usually they have sought to explore the depths of consciousness, often through some combination of contemplation, energetic practices, intuitive insight or spontaneous spiritual experience. 

Ultimately, they have transcended the limits of ordinary perceptions, while simultaneously still having all of the previous human functions: a physical, thoughts, emotions, etc.

Instead, what is a Mystic now transcends and includes all of that while living in a sort of high definition with the addition of various advanced potentials, latent in all of us, yet activated and awakened in Mystics.   

The Mystic is no longer only looking out of their experience filtered just through their own mind and sense of self, instead they have expanded open as Awareness Itself, with the felt sense of being one with or unified with this Source. 

This Awareness which is now felt to immersively animate them also tends to inspire their work and life in service to the greater the healing, development and Awakening and humanity.

So then you might ask well what is a Mystic? The commonality between all Mystics, whether modern Mystics alive today or ancient Mystics who previously walked this Earth, is that they can directly feel a direct connection with the Divine, the Loving Awareness that lives through all things.  

What is a Modern Mystic or who rather include beings like Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, Byron Katie, Jacqueline O’Keefe, Thomas Hubl, Sally Kempton, Ken Wilber, Diane Hamilton, etc.   Some of the Ancient Mystics retreated from the world into monasteries, ashrams and hermitages, while others were sometimes persecuted by Inquisitions, Government Officials and Fundamentalist Religious Institutions of old, and had to practice in hiding.  

Though it has not always been safe for Mystics on Planet Earth, some believe that those who have come before have helped pave the way and evolved consciousness on this planet enough for it to now be safe for Modern Mystics to be more in the world.  

Thus some of the Modern Mystics alive today are also householders, parents, spouses, college graduates, and who make videos on social media.  While Modern Mystics may have experienced different early lives, at a certain point whether all at once in the case Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie or gradually stabilized over some years as is the case for most of the others, eventually all Mystics are able to directly feel unified with Awareness Itself.

Some people wonder the difference between what is a Mystic versus a Spiritual Seeker.  There seems to be a  fascination and insatiable curiosity of “sensing something more” that can initially activate the Spiritual Seeker to leave behind convention to set out on their spiritual quest.   Without the guidance and curiosity of the Seeker, many stay safely imprisoned in the comforts of the known.  

Sometimes pain, loss, illness or crisis can spurn the seeker’s search for something more and the alleviation of their suffering.   For others, they might already be living a good or comfortable life, but some deep inner thirst to know more, actualize their potential and feel closer to the Divine draws them forward into the Great Mystery.  

And that Seeker past can keep them going on their path, for many years and for some, the entirety of their lives.  Eventually, for some, the parts of the sense of self relax, including the Seeker part, revealing the Openness of Awareness that has been here all along.   It’s like you needed the map and the motivation to get you to the gates.  In this case to mentally learn more about spiritual concepts, to heal past emotional trauma stored on your body, to become more embodied, to open your energetic channels, to learn to focus you attention and quiet your mind, etc.

Only now that the Seeker has gotten you to the foot of the gates, now in order to get through the gates, one must relax the very thing that got them there, the mind and sense of self.  This is what in Zen as the Gateless Gate.  Because in the relaxation of exclusive identification, with the mind (including maps and mental conceptualizations) and self (including the Seeker), there is the realization that there never was a locked gate in the first place.   But now in the expanded Awareness, there is a felt sense connectedness to all of Life, which is one of the defining features of the Mystic.   

So, while both can be very spiritually inclined, If you want to know what is a mystic is, the Mystic has found and can feel, the Loving Awareness that the Seeker seeks. The great paradox is that the Seeker is needed to find It, but the Seeker ultimately has to relax for Awareness to be found.   And a Mystic deeply understands this paradox, becasue they feel both their uniqueness and the Unified quality of Awareness in which everything else simultaneously arises

The initial curiosity of sincerely asking how to become a Mystic can be a great start.   If you are someone who is interested in how to become a Mystic, then you have probably been sensing there is something more to life than just the latest societal conventions and aspirations.

Have you heard the whispers? Life Itself calling you, trying to wake you up, inviting you into the path of the Mystics.  Maybe you were living the good life, but had been having this vague sense there was something more.  Perhaps you had a glimpse of a profound state; feeling wide open and connected to everything or your sense of “you” as a foxed point of focus temporarily relaxing and instead there was the felt sense of being the whole moment, Awareness Itself.   Or maybe your sensing something more was an invitation through challenge that might have come in the form of pain, loss, illness or crisis—seemingly forcing you to change and grow.

Which ever form the calling initially comes in, most eventually say yes to starting becoming more conscious. 

In the new age this often, but not always, can start with learning about manifesting, having a more positive mindset, getting physically healthier, as well paying more attention to the signs and synchronicities—a phase which can be so magical and exciting.  Yet, as some go deeper, they realize there is much more.  As they continue there is an inclination to get more embodied, open their heart, heal past body stored trauma and develop a more consistent spiritual practice.  This deeper embodiment is essential for the mystic, who realizes true spirituality is not just conceptual or belief-based, because they can actually directly feel the unified field of Awareness.

Studying the lives of great Mystics, both modern and ancient, for the vast majority, their journey of becoming a Mystic was a combination of practice and Grace. So, how to become a Mystic involves a combination of both practice and Grace.  Practice is the dedication to regularly engage in activities and exercises that help your nervous and energetic system activate its greater human and spiritual potential.  Practices when done consistently over time make it more likely that Grace will strike.  Grace is the X Factor, the Great Mystery of Life Itself, the bestower of spontaneous spiritual experiences that can crack us open so we can actually feel the Awareness of Spirit…like a Mystic.  And it is in the interplay between practice and Grace, that a transformative process of deepening, expanding and opening which allows a Mystic to be able to perceive and be lived by Something Greater. 

How to become a mystic may involve a series of steps, that may or may not occur in a particular order, that help to transform and awaken. 

1. The Calling
The process of becoming a Mystic usually begins with sensing something more.  This can be an inspiring exposure to spirituality, a profound state experience or a challenging force (pain, loss, illness, crisis).  Regardless of the flavor, it is this initial spark of the Soul, this calling, that tends to activate the begin of the process.

2. The Studying
Becoming a mystic also involves an illumination of the mind with knowledge, perspectives and understanding.  Some start by delving into exploring various religious and philosophical traditions to find a path that resonates.  This may involve reading esoteric knowledge and mystical literature or seeking guidance from experienced mystics or spiritual teachers who can offer insights and mentorship.

3. The Cleansing
Throughout recorded history, monks and mystics have engaged various purification and nutrition rituals to help cleanse and enhance their physical body vessel.  The more dense and tense, stagnant and inflamed your body is, the worse you feel and the harder it is to actually feel the aliveness of Life course through and animating your body and its channels.  This cleansing and nitrifying may involve eating more quality foods, avoiding food allergens, reducing inflammation, as well as cleaning and detoxifying.

4. The Healing
While it is possible the ancients were less advantaged in some ways, it seems like they experienced less trauma than a lot of us modern humans.  The latest research on trauma indicates that our body keeps score of our indigested past (see The Body Keep Score by Bessel Van der Kolk Phd).   That body stored trauma, creates deadzones of numbness or dissociations out of the body and into an overactive mind.   These tend to block the energy pathways in the body, significantly inhibiting the overall aliveness that your body can circulate and fill with, which is required to experience some of the higher States of Awareness.   Secondly, on a practical human level, the cost of continued storing of unresolved trauma tends to have a negative impact on mood, relaxation and well-being.  It also tends to have you either avoid whole areas of life to “stay safe” or compulsive repeat similar experiences, unconsciously trying to get a different outcome.   In these ways healing, is essential step in becoming a Mystic.

5. The Cultivating
Becoming a Mystic and the steps to actually embodying a Mystic, usually involves a process of cultivation.   From a deep exploration of inner awareness and spiritual practices like meditation, prayer, contemplation, qi gong, tai chi, kundalini, yoga, chanting, etc.  The practice has been done consistently in with enough intensity, help to transform the nervous system and energetic system—which is the interface with the Divine.   Spirit is both imminent and transcendent.  The transcendent quality of the Divine is that which is beyond knowing by the mind, the Ultimate which is unspeakable and to which words only point.  Yet, the imminent quality of the Absolute is that is here now, present and palpable in everything—if we relax and open our nervous and energetic systems to be able to directly feel It, that is.  Thus the process of cultivation of a Mystic helps the body relax and open to be able to directly feel the Spirit, imminently all around.

6. The Emptying
As your path of becoming a Mystic continue to deepen, you eventually face the essential emptiness of existence.  As your Awareness expands you start to directly see how thoughts arise and fall away, and now realizing “you” are more than your body, it too will be born and fall away.   With more glimpses of the timeless Presence, the construct of time is seen as empty.   Even the sense of self, fades in an out—it too seen as empty, transitory, and constructed.   The meaning-making function of the mind is seen for what it is.  With all this realized, you get present to the emptiness of existence, which can seem nihilistic until the heart is open and the “you” relaxes, now wide open as Loving Awareness—-emptiness and fullness, one in the same, Non-Dual.

7. The Unifying 
It usually comes in brief glimpses.  Unified as Non-Dual Awareness.  And what was once something that you seems to have to seek and get to, is realized to be ever present.  Now the focus is more on relaxing and stabilizing Awake Awareness in all moments.   In doing so there is now the emphasis on all the ways you are not allowing yourself to stay relaxed Open as Loving Awareness.

Embrace a life of mindfulness, reflection, and self-discovery, allowing intuition to guide your journey.  Remember, becoming a mystic is a personal and evolving process, so remain open to experiences that foster spiritual growth and keep going.   Keep following the whispers beckoning you home.

Absolutely! Practices like meditation and mindfulness can cultivate inner peace and resilience. Mysticism isn’t about escaping reality, but finding deeper meaning and navigating challenges with greater awareness and compassion.

Definitely! Many contemporary teachers bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern life. Seek out authors like Eckhart Tolle, Thich Nhat Hanh, or Pema Chödrön, or explore diverse voices online and in communities.

There are countless! From Rumi’s poetry to Hildegard of Bingen’s visions, Lao Tzu’s wisdom to Meera’s devotional songs, each offers unique perspectives on the mystical journey. Explore their lives and teachings to see what resonates.

Yes, you can be a modern Mystic if I don’t follow a specific religion.  While some ancient Mystics did orient to the dominant religion in their area, for example St.Teresa of Avila in Spain express her spirituality through the Christian lens, there have also been Mystics of old who appreciated the Perennial Philosophy or universal wisdom at the assets of all religious traditions.   

And while some past Mystics might have been considered devotedly “religious” by the dominant religious institutions of their Era.  One of the core features of a Mystic is their ability to actually directly feel the spiritual presence of the Divine, as opposed to simply understanding concepts in the mind.  

 And because that does not necessarily require adherence to a religion or certain beliefs, many Mystics relate more to the designation of being more “spiritual, but not religious.”   So, modern mysticism often emphasizes spiritual experiences, inner exploration, and direct connection with the transcendent, allowing for a more individualized and eclectic approach to spirituality outside traditional religious boundaries.

Unlike traditional mystics who often retreated from society, a modern mystic seeks connection with the divine or a deeper understanding of themselves within the context of everyday life. It’s about integrating spiritual practices and insights into modern challenges and relationships.

Mysticism in it’s purist forms focuses on spiritual practices, mindfulness and contemplation in cultivating presence and a direct spiritual experience with something greater.  While there can be many off shoots and various of activities associated with mysticism, sometimes accurately and sometimes not, throughout different cultures and time periods, at the essence Mysticism, is about approaches to experience spiritual l presence more directly.

Even the desire to feel connected to something greater or the devotion that inspires that approach can provide a sense of meaning, solace and healthier coping mechanisms amidst the challenges of modern life. 

Some of the practices often associated with Mysticism can help you cope with modern life stressors by helping you develop greater groundedness, relaxation, embodiment, centeredness, open-heartedness, non-judgmental acceptance and present-moment awareness.  While the effectiveness of mystical practices can varies from person to person, it depends alot on intention and consistency.

Spiritual embodiment and mystic practices when done repeatedly can enhance your ability to manage stress, improve focus, broaden perspectives, build resilience, and fostering inner strength.

Yes absolutely, there are modern Mystics you can learn from.  Byron Katie, Diane Hamilton, Amma, Tara Brach, Carolyn Myss, Thomas Hubl, Rupert Spira, Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, Joe Dispenza and Jon Kabat-Zinn are some of the more well-known modern Mystics you can learn from.  Whereas in times of old, there were less Mystics overall and it would have been much more rare to have a Mystic live near you that you could have access to study with directly.  

Many ancient mystics retreated from society either to escape persecution or to monasteries, ashrams, caves or deep nature to have more space to commune with the Divine.   Now it is much safer for modern Mystics to share their work and the Presence that transmits through them with the world.

And there are modern Mystics you can learn from now via the internet, Youtube, Instagram, Meditation APPs like Insight Timer and Calm among many others.  So now in the Digital Age of the 21st Century there are modern Mystics you can learn from who can live almost anywhere. 

“What ancient Mystics can inspire me?” you ask.  

Well, the Hall of Mystics for the Mystics of the Ages was designed and specially curated just for that; to bring more awareness to some of the great Mystics throughout human history.   Mystics of the Ages catalogues Buddhist Mystics, Christian Mystics, Greek Mystics, Indian Mystics, Jewish Mystics, Russian Mystics, Sufi Mystics, Taoist Mystics, Tibetan Mystics, Misc. Western Mystics and Zen Mystics. 

Please feel free to browse the Halls and read more about the lives of some of the many Mystics of the Ages.  We trust you will have the opportunity to discover there are indeed many ancient Mystics like Meister Eckhart, Mother Teresa, Paramahansa Yogananda, Rumi, Hafiz, Lao Tzu, Walt Whitman, Alan Watts and Ram Dass who can inspire you to live with greater Presence throughout your life.

Yes, you can be a modern Mystic if I don’t follow a specific religion.  While some ancient Mystics did orient to the dominant religion in their area, for example St.Teresa of Avila in Spain express her spirituality through the Christian lens, there have also been Mystics of old who appreciated the Perennial Philosophy or universal wisdom at the assets of all religious traditions.  

And while some past Mystics might have been considered devotedly “religious” by the dominant religious institutions of their Era.  

One of the core features of a Mystic is their ability to actually directly feel the spiritual presence of the Divine, as opposed to simply understanding concepts in the mind.   And because that does not necessarily require adherence to a religion or certain beliefs, many Mystics relate more to the designation of being more “spiritual, but not religious.”   

So, modern mysticism often emphasizes spiritual experiences, inner exploration, and direct connection with the transcendent, allowing for a more individualized and eclectic approach to spirituality outside traditional religious boundaries.