What Is A Christian Mystic?

What Is A Christian Mystic?

So, what is a mystic? A mystic, quite simply, is a lover of God who pursues the beloved actively and deeply. 

In fact, a mystic is a person who feels the presence of the Mystery to the core and when that presence is not felt feels as keen and painful a loss as a lover whose mate is somewhere across the world.

To travel in the world of the Christian mystic, one must discard concepts such as ego, pride and spiritual materialism in favor of adopting a sense of humility and hopeful expectation. 

It is to begin a great and stirring adventure that moves the soul from this life to the next. To quote Ursula King,

"The story of the Christian mystics is one of an all-consuming, passionate love affair between human beings and God. It speaks of the yearning, a burning desire for the contemplation and presence of the divine below area mystics seek participation in divine life, communion and union with God. This yearning is candle by the fire of divine love itself, which moves the mystics in their search and leads him, often arduous journeys, to discover and proclaimed the all-encompassing love of God for humankind."

One of the hallmarks of a mystic is her or his ability to inspire and transform others by their very lives, deeds and words. In reality, the Christian Mystic is simply returning to the very essence of the Christian experience at its earliest stage.

Jesus spent his life pointing beyond himself toward the loving presence which he called "Abba", which doesn't mean Father as the strict, judgmental figure of the past, but as a loving term, the nearest of which we have in English is "Daddy" or "Poppa" as a term of closeness and endearment.

Indeed, Jesus' message that the Presence was not out there somewhere, giving some sort of cosmic report card on his subjects. That Presence, according to Jesus, is here, now, available to all without restriction or need of intermediary. It is a realization and a teaching, revolutionary, that reaches across time. Not only did he spend his life demonstrating that, it was this very teaching that cost him his life. 

With all this in mind, what is the most basic understanding of what it is to be a Christian Mystic?

For that, we can search in a variety of places. First, in the tradition of the teachings of Jesus can be found within the changes and interpolations of the New Testament. Secondly, within the great body of spiritual writings by such figures as St. John of the Cross, Meister Eckhart, Theresa of Avila, Thomas A Kempis, George Fox and others from Protestant and Catholic and Orthodox backgrounds. Third, there are contemporary Christians from a variety of denominations and backgrounds to explore. Finally, and above all things, there is the personal experience, guided by the authentic words of Jesus and the writings of those who followed.

All of these sources exist as road maps, guide posts, ways to check ourselves as we make the journey of the Christian mystic. We should be thankful that others have blazed a trail before us, a the journey is based upon our own yearnings coupled with the mysterious grace of God.

For now, it is enough to understand that a "Christian" mystic is a person who finds the teachings, life and event of Jesus of Nazareth to present, for them, the clearest way to grow into a spiritual relationship with God. This is certainly not to make a claim that God's Presence is based on nationalism or accident of birth in this world in this or that region. Put simply, God speaks to the "many flocks" Jesus spoke of in a language and a way they can understand. 

What a Christian Mystic is suggesting is that in the midst different cultures and approaches, the symbols within our particular culture provides the tools necessary they find to make this journey. The Dalai Lama, when asked about converting from this religion to that, states clearly it is in one's best interest to remain within the familiar territory of their own upbringing, culture and understanding.

Briefly, it would be misleading to simply assume that the Christ Path is easy. To embrace the mystic tradition within Christianity as a Christian is to invite misunderstanding, abuse, and, to a great extent, persecution. Yet, no journey is without difficulty and, in this case, one has the encouragement of Paul, who stated, "Not I, but Christ who lives in me."

Ponder, then, these basic starting points:

What you see is not all there is to life.

There is that which is uncreated, which pervades everything, but remains outside the reach of human knowledge and understanding. This can be called "The Myster."

The intellect can entertain the concept of God, but not grasp God.

God cannot be reached by logic or captured by thought. Instead, one can only approach by love steeped in humble expectation of God's grace.

The Christian mystic is not known by his or her words, but by deeds and actions.

The qualities that mark the Christian mystic include devotion, being humble and without spiritual pride, refraining from judgment of his or her brother or sister and trusting that God speaks to the heart of each person in a way of God's choosing.

A Christian mystic is transformed and transforming.

According to the great mystics of Christianity, the transformation is a continual, ongoing process, an unfolding of the soul. It is not accomplished in one step, as in "being saved" after which a person can sit back and pronounce judgments on others. One's "work" has only just begun. It continues in humble service to those in need, in constant prayer and in the realization of God's Presence..

A Christian mystic seeks an experiential closeness to that Presence. A check-list of beliefs is certainly not enough to know God..

-Brian Robertson