#christianmysticism

[brendanelliswilliams]

Transcendence of Enshrined Form and the Grave of Initiation

It’s always interesting to me when folks show surprise (or, occasionally, utter shock) at my speaking in terms that point through the transitory nature of religious convention. Recently this arose with a new student, and I subsequently reflected on it in light of my solemn monastic profession. For those who are unfamiliar with that rite in Catholic Christian tradition, it is the final vows that monastics make, often referred to as ‘life vows’. A universal and prominent component of this rite is a ceremonial death-and-burial, in which the candidate for solemn vows lies in full prostration on the ground, is completely covered with a large black funerary shroud and left there for a portion of the ceremony, while the Liturgy goes on without him or her.

In my own experience of this, one of my monastic students, Br. Aidan, placed a traditional Scottish tartan over my body, symbolizing my ancestral inheritance; then an old Eastern Orthodox funeral shroud printed with an icon of the crucifixion (very similar to what is depicted on the ‘Great Schema’ of some Orthodox monastic Elders), which was gifted to me and our community years ago by a dear former seminary professor; and finally the black funeral shroud. Those first two layers were dearly held things that were in one sense an integral part of my ritual death, but at the same time things that, because they were so dearly held, I knew I also had to die to in that process. The essential symbolism of this act of ritual burial is that the monastic is finally, sacramentally, then and there, once and for all, dying to the phenomenal world and to every other possible path of experience that would otherwise be open to him or her in this lifetime. 

In my understanding,—and I’m confident this reflects the understanding of the ancient tradition, too—the fully vowed monastic is, if nothing else, one who is fully immersed in the process of dying absolutely to the false construct of ‘self’, as well as to every phenomenal, worldly attachment, in order to enter non-dual union with the Divine Ground. Obviously, undergoing the symbolic sacramental rituals of a rite like Solemn Profession does not magically make it so—: they don’t suddenly bring one to full awakening in non-dual awareness; rather, the outward dimensions of the rite further the depth of the process toward awakening that has been unfolding throughout many years of previous formation, ascetical and contemplative practice. They also ‘energetically’ close doors that might otherwise have remained open, narrowing one’s focus even further on the authentic aim of the monastic (and, in this case, the contemplative) life.

When I was ordained a Buddhist monk in 2003, the same essential feeling was impressed upon me: a ‘dying’ in pursuit of total freedom by means of renunciation—: real renunciation, which is not a rejection of anything, but a seeing through all things, and a releasing of one’s delusional grasping at phenomena. This is a recurring theme of what might be called the ‘perennial wisdom tradition’.

Fully entering a life of renunciation means inwardly dying to all concepts—about anything and everything, including God, metaphysical dogmas, and all the other elements of cultural-religious convention. Why? Because one has discovered (or must come to discover), in dying to ‘self’ and all phenomena, that all such things are contrivances of the human mind, cultural constructs, and they are not God, or even adequate representations of the ineffable Mystery we point to with that term. As St. Eckhart reminds us, we will have to eventually die to God as well—that is, to all our concepts about God—since we know for certain that nothing we can say about that eternal Mystery is actually true, and no image, idea, belief, or conditioned experience can truly reflect it. (This is also beautifully laid out in St. Dionysius’s treatise, Mystical Theology.) Hence, the jñāna yogīs of Vedāntic tradition commit to perpetually cutting through all thoughts and appearances with the sword of discernment, saying with everything: neti, neti: ‘not this, not this’. Nothing that’s created or conditioned can be the Mystery we’re seeking.

One who has gone down to the grave and touched the depths of self-surrender has effectively died to everything. There’s no holding certain things back or choosing ‘favorite pets’ as exceptions to the rule; that would only mean more attachments and thus more distractions from what is ultimate, from what ancient Hermetists sometimes called the One Thing. This invokes for me a motif found frequently in the sayings of the Desert Mothers and Fathers about not keeping back even a little bit of money in one’s cell as a ‘safety net’. Holding on even to one little thing is not full surrender. (In the present context, the monetary dimension of the motif is metaphorical, of course, pointing to the holding back of certain select attachments, favored ideational constructs, beliefs: whatever we want to continue to imagine can give us ‘security’.) That kind of subtle, devious jockeying against the authentic aim of illumination or awakening only reifies the false duality of the state of delusion and needless suffering—what Hindus and Buddhists call samsāra. Therefore, nothing can be carried over into contemplative life from the life of attachment to phenomena: no contrivance of mind, nothing framed by human thought. And this unequivocally includes even the most ‘sacred’ thoughts and personally prized religious ideations, which are, at the end of the day, still just made of thought—and thought itself isn’t made of anything at all.

There should be no surprise, then, when those of us who have thusly died—not just ceremonially, but in actuality, in the way we live and speak—teach or otherwise express ourselves in language and behavior that reflects the fact of that kenosis. A perennial hope of monasticism in the great religious traditions—and of many non-monastic schools of mystical training as well—is that the sharing of the fruits of this emptying would be for others not a source of fear and unwelcome destabilization, but rather an inspiring witness, to help in some small way in the universal project of apokatástasis, or, in Buddhist terms, bringing all sentient beings to enlightenment, to realization of their own true nature. Without the compassionate intention to create the conditions where that might be so, probably none of us would bother to teach or even remain much in contact with ‘the world’ at all.

Those who say ‘yes’ to this path of emptying—which is to say, legitimate contemplatives of any variety—will have to progressively shed more and more attachments, until finally nothing remains but that which was never created and never dies, cannot be spoken, and cannot be thought. 

So, my friends, a humble invitation: Don’t be shocked by speech or actions from such persons that doesn’t conform to the normative, mainline doctrine of the particular religious context(s) in which they happen to presently reside. Moving beyond those constraints is an expected and hoped for stage of the path toward perfect freedom. There is a golden thread of wisdom running through many of the world’s religious traditions, the essence of which is transcendent of each and all of those traditions. This may be new information for you, and it may threaten some of your dearly held assumptions about reality—and that’s okay. I would simply encourage you to sit with that, explore it further, and be open, rather than rigidify and resist. And it’s sometimes useful also to recall that, whether we want to acknowledge it or not, all of the things we hold most dear are constantly moving, rapidly changing, conditional, and always provisional. This includes, of course, all the culturally constructed artifices of religion we like to imagine are somehow trans-human, magically pure and unaffected by the conditioned vicissitudes of phenomenal existence.

Once upon a time I had a Pāli saying of the Buddha, rendered in Devanāgarī, tattooed on my arm—well, technically I still do, but because the lettering had been put on too small (I was young and didn’t yet know enough about tattooing), it now lives underneath a Pictish motif. This saying is still very significant for me, and I think of it often. It translates roughly to: ‘All conditioned things are impermanent, subject to rise and fall. Once they arise, they must cease. And their stilling is bliss.’ I think that just about summarizes the situation perfectly.

Along the way, provisional reality must have its day, of course, and it must be embraced to the extent that it helps us (somewhat paradoxically) to eventually let go of it. In the realm of the relative, we still need to strive for the goal, we still need self-discipline, we have to have some structure or pattern of life, we need some legitimate wisdom teachings to follow, and, above all, we must practice. But we do well, firstly, to adopt those provisional forms that actually help us rather than hinder us by weighing us down with needless, extraneous dogmas or unhelpful thought-forms; and, secondly, whatever we do embrace and utilize, we do well to simultaneously know it as utterly transparent and ephemeral. Not this, not this…

And if in your travels you happen to hear something that has in it the harmonious notes of wisdom, but challenges your beliefs and assumptions, I encourage you to listen—to listen with the ear of the heart.

Fr. Brendan+  (Ngakpa Palden Dorje)

[carlmccolman]

It’s official! The NEW Big Book of Christian Mysticism will be published by @broadleafbooks this coming August! This completely revised and significantly expanded second edition of my boook on Christian mysticism offers a more comprehensive and practice-centered approach to the topic. Even if you’ve read the first edition, I believe you’ll want to read and enjoy this new version. To learn more, and to pre-order your copy, click on this link in my bio. #books #bookstagram #mysticism #ChristianMysticism #spirituality #wisdom #contemplation #meditation #mystical #prayer #BroadleafBooks (at Clarkston, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnp0gUnOhLv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingwellnessblog]

Behind the Veil: The Profound Teachings of Christ

The Bible, specifically the New Testament, serves as a direct conduit to God, through Jesus and Mary. This divine narrative, often overshadowed, holds the key to lifting the veil that shrouds human consciousness since the dawn of creation, and our separat

Behind the Veil: Rediscovering the Profound Teachings of Christ The Bible, specifically the New Testament, serves as a direct conduit to God, through Jesus and Mary. This divine narrative, often overshadowed, holds the key to lifting the veil that shrouds human consciousness since the dawn of creation, and our separation from Eden. (Liberation) This unique and significant history of Jesus urges…

[logos-of-experience-and-truth]

Discover the Narrow Path and Achieve Mental Equilibrium

Discovering the Narrow Path: Unraveling the Biblical Spiritual Concept

Are you ready to embark on a spiritual journey and unlock the secrets of the mystical vision? We will explore the concept of the narrow path mentioned by Jesus in the Bible and compare it to the Buddha's middle path. We will delve into the symbolism of the transfiguration experience of Jesus and the apostles, diving into the balance between the logical and emotional mind, as represented by Moses and the prophets.

The Narrow Path in Christianity and Buddhism

The concept of the narrow path is frequently mentioned in the Christian Bible, with Jesus emphasizing its importance for spiritual growth. The narrow path is often thought to be synonymous with being a Christian, but there is a deeper meaning to it. Interestingly, the concept of the narrow path is remarkably like the Buddha's middle path, which lies between extreme asceticism and hedonism. While both paths seem similar, they have different focuses. The Buddha's middle path is more about finding a balance between indulging in worldly pleasures and extreme self-denial, while the narrow path in Christianity is about achieving equilibrium between the logical and emotional aspects of the mind.

The Transfiguration Experience: Symbolism and Significance

One of the most famous biblical stories that provide insight into the narrow path is the transfiguration experience of Jesus and the apostles. In this story, Jesus is seen with Moses and Elijah on either side of him. Moses represents the logical and analytical mind, while Elijah, a prophet, represents the emotional and spiritual mind. The narrow path, therefore, is about achieving balance and equilibrium between the logical and emotional aspects of the mind. This balance is crucial for spiritual growth and enlightenment, as it allows individuals to fully embrace their human nature and transcend their limitations.

Achieving Mental Equilibrium: The Key to Spiritual Growth

The idea of achieving mental equilibrium is not unique to Christianity. In fact, it is a central tenet in many esoteric and occult teachings, including the concept of mental alchemy. Mental alchemy involves balancing emotional states and thought processes to achieve inner equilibrium and harmony. This idea of mental equilibrium is also seen in the teachings of St. Paul in the Christian Bible. He encourages wives to be submissive to their husbands while urging husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church. This passage highlights the importance of balancing the male (logical) and female (emotional) aspects of the mind for spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Embracing the Narrow Path: The Journey to Eternal Life

The narrow path is the key to eternal life, fullness of life, and adoption as a child of God. By understanding the profound concepts of the narrow path and achieving equilibrium between the logical and emotional aspects of the mind, individuals can deepen their understanding of mystical experiences and vision. This journey is essential for spiritual growth and enlightenment, allowing individuals to explore and embrace their true spiritual nature. In conclusion, the narrow path is a vital concept in Christianity and represents the balance between the logical and emotional aspects of the mind. By understanding this concept and striving to achieve mental equilibrium, individuals can unlock the secrets of the mystical vision and experience spiritual growth and enlightenment. Read the full article

[thincso]

ALL SAINT'S DAY... OUR REQUIEM, Maybe we are all the same entity? (says the Communion),Maybe the prounouns (me, you, he, her, us, them...) dissolve when we pass to the next dimension because it is merely a construct by humans? (Samadhi), Paul Dettwiler oil tempera on canvas 80x67 cm #christ #christianmysticism #samadhi #communion #christianity #pauldettwiler #ModernMasters #artcollections #artcollection #ModernArt #painting #instaart #thirdeye #emergingart #emergingartist #arte #perrotin #contemporaryartist #contemporaryart #ModernArt #sztuka #ascensionday (på/i Other Side) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkjC1jzozfR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[santmat]

"Things No Eye Has Seen and No Ear Has Heard, Inconceivable to the Human Mind..." Solving the Mystery of An Ancient Saying - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts

There's a spiritual saying, an axiom of wisdom, that's been meaningful to millions of people spanning many centuries, scriptures, spiritual classics, languages, nations, and several world religions from West to East, East to West. This saying was quoted by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament but it's been a mystery as to what exactly the SOURCE was for his quote. Today, we find out the origin of this saying, and get to hear various versions of this saying as it appears again and again in so many ancient texts, traveling far and wide, passing through Jewish or Rabbinical... also many Christian Apocryphal Writings. A version of it is even attributed to Jesus, and by this I don't just mean in The Gospel of Thomas (saying 17) but in many other sources as well, and I will explore many of those as they appear in other early Christian writings. Other versions also turn up in Egypt, Ethiopia, the Mesopotamian region, in Gnostic, Mandaean, Manichaean scriptures, Suras of the Quran, a couple of Hadiths, and there's even similar versions to be found in the writings of Kabir, Guru Nanak, and other sources in India.

This wisdom saying is central to the spiritual journey as it pertains to The Spiritual Seeing and Spiritual Hearing Capacity of Souls, and being Initiated into the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Master says, "I will Give You Things No Eye Has Seen and No Ear Has Heard, Inconceivable to the Human Mind..." - Solving the Mystery of an Ancient Saying... today on this Spiritual Awakening Radio podcast. I will turn this into a satsang and include related teachings from Kirpal Singh and others... on spiritual seeing and hearing that which is inconceivable to the average human mind, what has typically not occurred to the heart of man.

Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast - "Things No Eye Has Seen and No Ear Has Heard, Inconceivable to the Human Mind..." Solving the Mystery of An Ancient Saying @ YouTube:   

https://Youtu.be/8cjxWn-w2nY

Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast - "Things No Eye Has Seen and No Ear Has Heard, Inconceivable to the Human Mind..." Solving the Mystery of An Ancient Saying @ the Podcast Website: 

https://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.libsyn.com/what-the-eye-has-not-seen-the-ear-has-not-heard

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Spiritual Awakening Radio (and Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts) with James Bean, heard on various community, public radio stations and the web, explores the world of spirituality, comparative religion, world scriptures and other books, East and West, God, meditation, out of body or near death experiences (inner space), the vegan diet and other ahimsa ethics -- education for a more peaceful planet.

In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhaswami,

James Bean

Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts

Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts

Sant Mat Radhasoami

https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

#EyeHasNotSeen #SpiritualAwakeningRadio #SpiritualAwakeningRadioPodcasts #SpiritualAwakening #Spirituality #Meditation #Christianity #Gnostic #Gnosticism #Apocrypha #ChristianMeditation #ChristianMysticism #Jesus #GospelOfThomas #ChristianSpirituality #GodIsLove #Santmat #Sant_Mat #Radhasoami #Satsang #Radha_Soami #Radhaswami #Radhasoamiji #ScienceOfTheSoul #ScienceOfSpirituality #SuratShabdYoga #LostBooksoftheBible #ApplePodcasts #Spotify #Youtube

[newbeltane]

God Guide Me #celebrateconnections #poweroffriendship  #CelticChristianity #Spirituality #Inspirational #CelticWisdom #Faith #FriendshipQuotes #InspirationalQuotes #CelticTraditions #Prayer #CelticSymbols #ChristianSpirituality #CelticCulture #SoulfulReflections #InspirationalThoughts #FriendshipInsights #CelticSaints #ChristianMysticism #CelticArt #WisdomQuotes #FriendshipBonds #CelticHistory #SpiritualGrowth #InspirationalMessages #CelticHeritage #FriendshipValues #CelticPrayer #ChristianValues #InspirationalWisdom #FriendshipStories #CelticSpirit

[saintmachina]

I really miss Millennial Gospel. Do you know if there are similar blogs here?

There are a ton of good queer faith and Christian mysticism and religious art blogs on tumblr! I do not have the wherewithal to comb through my follows at present, and what I like might not align with what you like, but I suggest checking out the #faithfullylgbt and #christianmysticism tags to start. You might also check out my theology tag for some good stuff, although it skews a little more traditional/less modern than the vibe MG used to have.

If anyone wants to recommend any progressive religious blogs with a modern bent, or volunteer their own, please do so!

[alexkarbojewelry]

-Forged Silver Nail- ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Forged from 950 silver using a hammer and anvil. The nail was left with it’s marks from the process of forging just like a steel nail would have. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The symbolism associated with the nail is quite vast. From the pre-Christian Era, to the medieval times and even today this mundane object is still believed to have mystical and magical properties. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Weight is 11 grams and mesures 63mm. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Please DM if interested ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #silvernail #talisman #witchcraft #paganism #folklore #medievaltimes #christianmysticism https://www.instagram.com/p/B9PvVG3BdW9/?igshid=17zbosgw03nio

[omniavincitamor33]

#mystik #mystic #mystical #christianmystic #christianmysticism #spiritual #spirituality https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu6Z_eLnxRS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t2nfxi376a2b

[brendanelliswilliams]

A Word for the Feast of Pentecost

Since I now give all my homilies extemporaneously, I cannot share word for word the reflection I gave this morning at the Festal Mass of Pentecost, but this is a brief summary of what I offered, which I thought might be worth revisiting and typing up:

In the general course of things, folks go on debating endlessly about ideologies, trying to reassure themselves or create more of a veneer of whatever they happen to think is right and just in the world, but the core human problem—the decisive error and ‘original sin’, if you will—is and always has been existential. It is, in a word, our ignorance: our lack of gnōsis (i.e., our lack of experiential knowledge about the way things really are).

Without transforming the foundation of the human heart and mind through a direct experience of the inter-relationality of all things, violence, chaos, and confusion will go on ad infinitum. The Divine must be experienced as utterly immanent to the whole of Life. It must be known and felt in our very bones. Holding the mere idea of it is insufficient to the critical task at hand. The same can be said for love. And, in fact, love and the Divine Presence are, in Christian theology, part of one and the same metaphysical Reality.

If the Feast of Pentecost tells us anything worthwhile in our own time and place, it’s that we have to awaken in the purgative fire of Divinity—each one of us, here and now. That Divinity is always already present within and all around us, but if we do not do the work to wake up to it and thereby become clear vessels for its transforming work, then we will remain forever in the fevered dream of ‘sound and fury, signifying nothing’.

Unless we understand this awakening as the core of the Christian invitation to co-create the Kingdom of Heaven—and, indeed, as the core of every expression of religious thought and practice—then our religion is little more than an anachronistic fetish. In this time of profound unravelment, I pray that we all would come to know the ever resounding invitation of Spirit to be unified with the isness of her Life, and take that invitation seriously; and that we would learn to discard all that is incidental or corrosive to that one most needful endeavor.

[carlmccolman]

Liturgical Press just keeps publishing wonderful books! Here are two that are hot off the press and well worth a look. “Welcome All as Christ” is for anyone in parish leadership who seeks to make their local faith community a joyful place where newcomers are, in the words of Saint Benedict, “received as Christ.” Meanwhile, Philip Sheldrake’s “A World Transfigured” certainly speaks my language, as a new contribution to mystical theology. Jumping off of Karl Rahner, the book considers mysticism over the lifespan in terms of five dimensions: love and desire, knowing and unknowing, wonder and beauty, everyday practice, and the mystic as a radical prophet. All of this is much to my ears, I’m eager to curl up with a nice warm cup of herbal tea and have a nice long visit with this one! PS Ice-dye by @franv.mccolman of course! @liturgicalpress #Christianmysticism #mysticism
#contemplation
#prayer
#books
#bookstagram
#spirituality
#meditation
#hospitality #parishministry #philipsheldrake #johntkyler (at Clarkston, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmbzvPEuxrD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[livingwellnessblog]

Behind the Veil: Rediscovering the Profound Teachings of Christ

The Bible, specifically the New Testament, serves as a direct conduit to God, through Jesus and Mary. This divine narrative, often overshadowed, holds the key to lifting the veil that shrouds human consciousness since the dawn of creation, and our separat

Behind the Veil: Rediscovering the Profound Teachings of Christ The Bible, specifically the New Testament, serves as a direct conduit to God, through Jesus and Mary. This divine narrative, often overshadowed, holds the key to lifting the veil that shrouds human consciousness since the dawn of creation, and our separation from Eden. (Liberation) This unique and significant history of Jesus urges…

[oceanbreather]

God is nearer to us than our own soul, for he is the ground in whom our soul is rooted, and he is the medium that keeps the substance and the sensuality together for God so that they will never be separated. For our soul sits in God in true rest, and our soul is naturally rooted in God in endless love. And therefore, if we will to have the knowing of our soul, communing and conversing with it, we ought to seek it within our Lord God, in whom it is enclosed.

Juliana of Norwich

[logos-of-experience-and-truth]

Podcast Transcript - The Narrow Path of the Transfiguration

The Power of Equilibrium: Understanding Transfiguration and the Narrow Path

Audio and Show Notes 0:01:37 Welcome to the Logos of Experience and Truth podcast, where I work to unlock the hidden mysteries of the Beatific Vision of God for you, the listener that may or may not be upon this spiritual narrow path. But what exactly is the narrow path that Jesus speaks of? My mind is finally dislodged from understanding, speaking, contrasting, and comparing creative thought, manifesting thought, law of attraction types of things, and has settled back down to think about concepts to discuss and to unlock. Any Christian or anybody that has read the New Testament, has seen, heard, read for themselves the term the narrow path. Jesus makes a big, giant thing about this in the Bible, about those on the left and those on the right will say they know me and that He will say I do not know you and that only the few find the narrow path. But what is the narrow path? Up until . . . you know who knows when . . . a couple of years ago or so, if I had ever thought of this, of what is the narrow path, as a Christian, I probably would have just thought to myself being Christian is the narrow path and I'd say that that's fine for the time being wherever you are on the spiritual path, if you are on a spiritual path and if this is even something that you are interested in learning, which, if you are listening to this podcast, I assume you are. But there is a deeper meaning to what the narrow path is. Read the full article