Can Mysticism Serve as an Alternative to Religion?

[Sunstone]

Is mysticism a viable alternative to religion?

Could mysticism, even in theory, ever replace religion for most people?

 

[Willamena]

Unless "mysticism" is defined, this question cannot be answered.

 

[Sunstone]

Unless "mysticism" is defined, this question cannot be answered.

Would "direct personal revelation" work in this instance?

 

[Willamena]

To me, mysticism was a change of perspective. I don't imagine it's the same for everyone.

 

[Sunstone]

To me, mysticism was a change of perspective. I don't imagine it's the same for everyone.

Could that change in perspective serve as an alternative to religion? Do you still feel you need religion after the change in perspective?

 

[Willamena]

I've never known religion, so I can't answer that question.

 

[Pariah]

Is mysticism a viable alternative to religion?

In my mind, yes. But my mind can't think for every other mind.

Could mysticism, even in theory, ever replace religion for most people?

Mysticism is a quest. Mysticism is interchangeable with religion, but religion is not always interchangeable with mysticism.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I don't think mysticism would work for many people. A mystic must actively seek an understanding or connection with God/the Ultimate Reality/the Great Mystery/et al. And many are not willing to do that. Which is fine; religion gives people a reality to live in and if it works for them, then great!

 

[Buttercup]

I don't even get Mysticism. Therefore, it would work perfectly as religion for me.

 

[Halcyon]

Is mysticism a viable alternative to religion?

Could mysticism, even in theory, ever replace religion for most people?

You know, the ancient Gnostics divided mankind into three groups. They saw these groups as unchangeable fates into which each new born infant was thrust, and so I disagreed with their belief.

I do think however they were right to create the three classifying groups;
Hylic, Psychical and Pneumatic.

But instead of a class of the soul, i see it more as a state of mind that may be changed.
Hylic's are materialistic, they may be a follower of a religion, but they'll just be doing lip-service to their deity. If they're not from a religious family, then they'll probably be apatheists - don't know, don't care, and see material gain and worldly things as the be all and end all.

Psychicals are the bulk of religious people. They believe in a god or gods and follow the dogma and doctrines of their religion. They don't really try to understand god, just worship him and do what they are told.

Pneumatics are the mystics. They believe in the possibility of knowing their deity first hand, of unlocking the mysteries of god and the universe through some form of mystical experience.

Mysticism can only replace religion if the person is already of the pneumatic persuasion.

 

[lunamoth]

You know, the ancient Gnostics divided mankind into three groups. They saw these groups as unchangeable fates into which each new born infant was thrust, and so I disagreed with their belief.

I do think however they were right to create the three classifying groups;
Hylic, Psychical and Pneumatic.

But instead of a class of the soul, i see it more as a state of mind that may be changed.
Hylic's are materialistic, they may be a follower of a religion, but they'll just be doing lip-service to their deity. If they're not from a religious family, then they'll probably be apatheists - don't know, don't care, and see material gain and worldly things as the be all and end all.

Psychicals are the bulk of religious people. They believe in a god or gods and follow the dogma and doctrines of their religion. They don't really try to understand god, just worship him and do what they are told.

Pneumatics are the mystics. They believe in the possibility of knowing their deity first hand, of unlocking the mysteries of god and the universe through some form of mystical experience.

Mysticism can only replace religion if the person is already of the pneumatic persuasion.

That makes myself and pretty much every other religious person I know very well mystics.

 

[Pariah]

I liked the three categorizations.
Thanks for that Halcyon!

 

[doppelganger]

Mysticism and religion (if the latter is understood as an organized human social institution) are opposites of one another.

Carl Jung said it well: "Religion is a system to defend us against the experience of God."

 

[Scarlett Wampus]

Could mysticism, even in theory, ever replace religion for most people?

If there was a large shift in what most people experience in their socialisation, education, nutrition, culture, natural environment, etc. then I feel that in theory mysticism could be far more suitable than following a particular religion for most people. I see it as just as true that, in theory, homicidal blood-lust could replace religion for most people given the right conditions.

 

[YmirGF]

Mysticism and religion (if the latter is understood as an organized human social institution) are opposites of one another.

Carl Jung said it well: "Religion is a system to defend us against the experience of God."

Ol' Carl was a pretty shrewd thinker alright.

 

[doppelganger]

Ol' Carl was a pretty shrewd thinker alright.

For creative mythology to become a religion it has to be drained of life. It ceases to be a living way and becomes a list of dogmas, doctrines and rules - pushed in from the outside rather than drawing meaning from within.

 

[autonomous1one1]

Would "direct personal revelation" work in this instance?

Greetings. That works for me; and if that is used with the definition of religion from the Founder (not the institution) then imo the 'mystic' is the fulfillment of the 'religion.' This has the power to coagulate all religions and, not necessarily replace them, but co-be as additional instances of their heart. The mystic is the be-er - remember my definition of beer after you break it down (one who be)?

Regards,
a..1

 

[zenzero]

Friends,
The dictionary meaning of both the words are:
mys·ti·cismn. 1. a. Immediate consciousness of the transcendent or ultimate reality or God.
b. The experience of such communion as described by mystics.

2. A belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible by subjective experience.
3. Vague, groundless speculation.


re·li·gion n. 1. a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.

2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

In general Religion is a way/ method/ path/ etc. to be one with existence and the person who realises that is a mystic. Besides the words are not replaceable with each other. Rather one is a result of the other.
Maybe there was something to the question which could not be understood; if so, please clarify the same.
Love & rgds

 

[Master Vigil]

If I were to consider my experiences "mystical", I cannot claim however to have had these experiences without a religious backdrop. You find the majority of mystics are "within" a religious backdrop. St. Francis, St. John of the Cross, St. Theresa of Avila, and hundreds others were Catholic, The Sufi's of Islam, the Kabbalists of Judaism, Buddhism's Vajrayana, and the many different mystic sects of Hinduism. Then you have the "mystical" shamans in tribal religions. And so many, many more.

I don't think that mystics can stand on their own. When they do, they end up creating another religion. That's my opinion.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

Is mysticism a viable alternative to religion?

Could mysticism, even in theory, ever replace religion for most people?

Yes, but only for those who are,...let's say 'sensitive', and yet mysticism is still religion in the real meaning of the word 'religion'. In the mean time that 'old time religion' is providing the foundation and opportunity for further 'unfoldment' of students.