Varieties of Mystic Experiences

[The Hammer]

Mysticism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Winter 2021 Edition)

We talk a lot about experiences with the Divines here.

So, I thought maybe some of the philosophical langauge, arguments and thought from those that study Mysticism might be of use to those here.

How have you experienced the Mystical... Kataphatically or Apophatically? Dualistic or Monistic?

 

[Orbit]

Mysticism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Winter 2021 Edition)

We talk a lot about experiences with the Divines here.

So, I thought maybe some of the philosophical langauge, arguments and thought from those that study Mysticism might be of use to those here.

How have you experienced the Mystical... Kataphatically or Apophatically? Dualistic or Monistic?

I have had two profound mystical experiences. They were great and I think were valuable, but I can’t think of any thing to say about them that would be illuminating.

 

[Vinayaka]

I'm never sure what mysticism means to others, but to me, it certainly isn't nearly as intellectual as that article, so I'm wondering if anyone can put into simple understandable terms.

 

[The Hammer]

I'm never sure what mysticism means to others, but to me, it certainly isn't nearly as intellectual as that article, so I'm wondering if anyone can put into simple understandable terms.

Uhmm.. I can't. Maybe someone else could?

 

[The Hammer]

I'm never sure what mysticism means to others,

The article seems to cover the definitions though. Basically a "union with the divine". But that gets complicated quick to extrapolate

 

[The Hammer]

I have had two profound mystical experiences. They were great and I think were valuable, but I can’t think of any thing to say about them that would be illuminating.

I just wanted to give others the philosophical language around it.

Too much finger pointing about people being "insane" or "hallucinating" around RF in regards to mystic states and experiences.

If someone wants to argue against it' validity, at least now they know whats available.

 

[Vinayaka]

Uhmm.. I can't. Maybe someone else could?

Thanks. Since I first encountered the word, (probably in my late teens, 50 years ago) I thought it had to do with the magic (psychic phenomena) around certain religious practices, like visions, sensations, deja vu, premonitions, but I think I may have got it dead wrong. Only in the last few years have I encountered other definitions or ideas that don't seem to jive with that. The newer (to me) ideas seem to lack the magic.

My Guru defined a mystic as someone who lives two-thirds within himself. So I'm not sure what exactly a mystical experience or a mystic is.

 

[Orbit]

I just wanted to give others the philosophical language around it.

Too much finger pointing about people being "insane" or "hallucinating" around RF in regards to mystic states and experiences.

If someone wants to argue against it' validity, at least now they know whats available.

I didn’t even think in those terms. I think mystic experiences are valuable.

 

[The Hammer]

I didn’t even think in those terms. I think mystic experiences are valuable.

Not you. Sorry if I seemed like I meant you.

 

[crossfire]

If I'm looking to embody/be possessed by a specific archetype, then I will use cataphatic techniques. Otherwise, like for meditation and jhanas, I will use apophatic (neti-neti) techniques.

 

[JustGeorge]

To an extent, every moment can be a mystical experience, if one is present in it.

As for the 'how', I guess 'polytheistic'. There are times when, if only for a few moments, the world around seems divine, and I 'feel' my friends, the Gods, in all of it.

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

When I read the title of your thread, I thought primarily of William James’ studies, of classical mystics as well as modern ones, of Ellen Key, Edgar Cacey and the likes.

To me, mystical experiences are spiritual -but fully natural*- to their nature and identifiable by the altered perspective they leave the experiencer with: nothing in everyday life in understood in the same manner afterwards; everything receives new meaning.

*) I’d say that what separates a mystic from… well, others who experience alternative states that seem spiritual …is that the mystic does not see their experience(s) as unique or special, but as natural and accessible to anyone - in a certain state of mind.
A mystic does not think of themself as “chosen” or “gifted” but rather, often feels somehow “unworthy” of having been in the frame of mind that allowed for their experience(s) in the first place and eternally grateful for their new way of understanding their surroundings.

Humbly,
Hermit

 

[sun rise]

To an extent, every moment can be a mystical experience, if one is present in it.

One of my favorite songs expressing this kind of experience is (emphasis mine):

CHANGE CAN COME (Words and Music by Lark Batteau) In My Name Lyrics

Change can come in the twinkling of an eye,
In the ripple upon a lake.
Change can come in the color of a flower,
In the sparkle of morning dew,
When the Light catches you.
In that tiny moment, you are transformed.

And the radiance of Christ
Shines forth in reply
From within, and has made itself known,
And from the two is born
A new world.

Come, let us join
Our many golden flickering
And create one Light,
Together,
Forever.

 

[rocala]

Like @Orbit I have had two profound mystical experiences that I consider to be valuable. They were very different, about fifteen years apart, entirely unsought and utterly convincing, I think it fair to say - epiphane moments.

The latter of the two was by far the most profound yet at no time did I feel that I had learned or been shown something. The overriding sensation was that I had remembered something and it all felt rather ordinary. I have spoken to a few people about this and I have been told that this sense of remembering is not unknown in such cases.

 

[PearlSeeker]

Mysticism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Winter 2021 Edition)

We talk a lot about experiences with the Divines here.

So, I thought maybe some of the philosophical langauge, arguments and thought from those that study Mysticism might be of use to those here.

How have you experienced the Mystical... Kataphatically or Apophatically? Dualistic or Monistic?

Once I had what I would call a mystical experience or rapture. For several days I was intensevely contemplating nature and it's patterns, connections... I guess I have experienced it kathaphatically, dualistic and monistic at the same time...