Christian Mysticism

[soma]

Christ taught us that God is love, and we saw a sample of it in his compassion and suffering for the mediocre sinners in this world. Through Christ a new concept of God emerged because prior to him most people feared God. This teaching of love is more demanding and more important than his other lessons because it is the main belief of all Christians. I believe that Christian Mysticism is an inner path to understand that meaning of love. Love maintains our sense of unity with a presence and power that is greater than what we think we are. Mysticism is an experience of that unity and love that can't be placed with words so people try to describe the experience or how to obtain it. This might be new to some people and it might be dismissed as New Age similar to what I am sure Jesus experienced with his teachings. I think the experience says it all.

 

[Master Vigil]

Have you read any Thomas Merton? If not, I would highly suggest it. I think you would enjoy it.

 

[soma]

Yes, I enjoy Thomas Merton. Thank you for mentioning him. We can read him again and again and each time get something deeper to remind us what we are here for. Salutations to the Divinity within you.

 

[no_spoon]

Quoting from St. Teresa of Avila (mystic and "doctor" of the RC church): “Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All thing pass; God never changes. Patience attains All that it strives for. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing: God alone suffices.”

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I find that Christian Mysticism echoes the meaning behind the mystical aspects of many cultures, especially the role of "self" as co-creator.

To me, Christ, and dramatically, the cross, represent the connection between God and the individual, ultimately, the individual's relationship to his perceived existence.

 

[soma]

Jesus said, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” This call for love tells us that we are united and that no other person is separate or apart in God’s spiritual consciousness. I think this unity is the mysticism of many cultures. Recognizing that we are all one in God’s consciousness gives us full protection in His unity by integrating our individual life with the world around us and providing a basic harmony and equilibrium in our hearts and minds.

 

[sojourner]

Xian mysticism is as old as Jesus.