Christian Mysticism

What is Christian Mysticism?

Here are three good articles that give a short explanation about Christian mysticism:

The first two links have information that is more applicable to me, but all the articles have good content, in my opinion.

So what is Christian Mysticism?

What Christian Mysticism Means to Me

Mysticism isn’t always easily defined, because it’s not a set of religious doctrines or theological dogmas, but it transcends religion. It is a word that is used to describe how we find connection and a Divine Union with God, by whatever Name/s or Title/s we ascribe to God (Source, Divine, Universe, Absolute, Spirit, Father, Mother, Creator, etc.), and it involves, to varying degrees of intensity, some type of “mystical” or spiritual experience.

I define myself first as a “Mystic,” with the modifier of “Christian” giving an indication of my background and the point of view that I am more likely to understand and to share from. But I gladly learn from all spiritual traditions, both religious and non-religious, and were I to have been born in a different country where Christianity is less common, I’d likely be a Mystic of a different religious flavor.

Christian Mysticism is the best term I know that gives reasonable explanation as to the numerous spiritual (“mystical”) experiences I’ve had throughout the years, and it characterizes how I find connection and Union with the Divine.

This connection is enriched in four main ways:

through the leading of the Spirit (Who I sometimes refer to as “Heavenly Mother” or “Holy/Divine Mother”);
by my ongoing and ever-broadening understanding of Sacred Texts;
through my ongoing understanding of and relationship with Jesus Christ;
and through the help of other Messengers sent by Spirit: namely, my two other Spirit Guides, Mary Magdalene and Balthazar, as well as the Holy Angels.

What Others Say About Christian Mysticism

For those who may need a little extra clarification regarding Christian Mysticism, Carl McColman, author of “The Big Book of Christian Mysticism-The Essential Guide To Contemplative Spirituality,” states simply:

Christian mysticism is all about having a ‘relationship with God.’ Indeed, this is its bedrock principle.

McColman also gives five elements which help differentiate Christian Mysticism from mystic practices within other religions. Although I don’t limit my beliefs to only these five elements (for example, I believe other Sacred Texts hold truths, as well, and not just the 66 books of the modern-day Christian Bible as we know it), I still find them to be overall agreeable when attempting to give definition to Christian Mysticism. He writes:

Christian Mysticism means following Jesus
Christian Mysticism is rooted in the Bible
Christian Mysticism engages with its own tradition
Christian Mysticism recognizes union with God as being communion with God
Christian Mysticism includes the love and service of others

Historical Figures

Aside from Biblical figures who could be called Mystics (for example, all of the Prophets and Poets, John the Revelator, the Apostle Paul, and, yes, even Jesus Christ himself, some of the more prominent Christian Mystics could include people such as:

St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)
St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
St. John of the Cross (1542-1591)
St. Catherine de’ Ricci (1552-1590)
Ellen G. White (1827-1915)
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)
A.W. Tozer (1897-1963)
Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Thomas Keating (1923-2018)
Fr. Richard Rohr (1943-present)

… and many others.

Neither you nor I may completely agree with the teachings, the practices, or the lives of any of the above-named individuals, nor of the many others who are unnamed here. And neither you nor I may feel compelled to adopt any one of their belief systems or practices wholeheartedly, or even in part. And undoubtedly, if allowed and indulged, there would be a heated debate on the definition and the Scriptural support of the “Christian Mystic,” not to mention strong disagreements about who belongs on the list of bona fide mystics and who does not.

However, I don’t share these names to stir controversy or to debate, but for a greater point: Mysticism, by whatever name it is given and however it is defined and practiced, is nothing new. It has been around for a long time and has been a cherished tradition for many, including Christians.

One last thing: while it’s true that some Christians still find Mysticism to be heretical and blasphemous, I hold no contempt or negativity towards them, because I used to believe the same, as I’ve mentioned, so I understand where they are coming from. After years of struggling internally with the same dilemmas and doubts and fears and egos and deceptions, the only thing I would say to those individuals now is this:

I have not lost my faith in Jesus Christ; in fact, my faith is stronger than ever before. Have faith in God to keep you on the path He has chosen for you, and don’t worry about the path God has chosen for others. Share your personal faith with joy, and receive the personal expressions of faith from others with just as much joy as you give to yours.

May the Blessings, Peace, Light, and Love of God be with you now and always!