Yin-Zen Revisited

[Straw Dog]

I would disagree with equating the mystic experience with the illusions projected by the mind. While, in having various mystic experiences we, because of our plentifully conditioned minds, place overlays on the experience, the mystic experience is not exclusively conditioned.

How do you determine whether mystical experiences are conditioned or illusory?

Then it is still just a perception of ultimate reality and something to be let go of. I guess I would think of that as part of the mystic's path. There is a lot of delusion to work through and plenty of pitfalls to avoid. That doesn't mean that the mystic is inherently a delusional person. That delusion exists in all paths in different forms. Sticking to philosophy and lifestyle practice has room for pitfalls as well.

So all perceptions of ultimate reality should be let go of? What is there to perceive without sensory-perception? Isn't it delusional to deny one's own sensory-perception? from what basis do you pass judgment upon the nature of reality?

This sort of contradicts your own explanation of mysticism. If one is intentionally seeking union with a particular concept of the own creation, then they are not seeking union with ultimate reality. If one is accidentally identifying reality with their concept, they have fallen into one of the aforementioned pitfalls and are still working on the path.

Perhaps you could explain mysticism better?

Ultimate reality is a thought-construct. Whoa, deja vu!

 

[crossfire]

More or less, mysticism is the pursuit of communion or identification with an ultimate reality or divine nature through direct experience or intuition. All too often, this perception of ultimate reality is really just an extension of our subconscious drives for preservation and peace. Mystics seek union with particular conceptions of their own creation rather than with reality directly. The mystic is in the same boat as the fundamentalist, although their leap of faith is more subtle and flexible.

When was the last time you played with paint, crayons, or clay? How about building a sandcastle? You learn quite quickly the difference between your particular perception of reality and actual reality via your "mistakes." You might even get a glimpse or a whiff or a taste of these subconscious drives you refer to if you contemplate your "mistakes."

 

[Straw Dog]

When was the last time you played with paint, crayons, or clay? How about building a sandcastle?

Anytime I build a sandcastle, I almost immediately feel the need to destroy it.

 

[crossfire]

Anytime I build a sandcastle, I almost immediately feel the need to destroy it.

LOL! The skeptic in you practicing your art afterwards!

 

[Straw Dog]

LOL! The skeptic in you practicing your art afterwards!

Strange. Does this mean that I'm doomed to destroy any relationship that I enter into?