"The philosopher guesses and argues, the mystic lives and looks" - Evelyn Underhill
I have been doing a study on visions and dreams for this year and I love reading the stories, poems, and explorations of saints, visionaries, and mystics. Mystics and saints are pioneers and explorers of the spiritual world. They see things others do not see and know things that can only be known by the
Spirit of God. I have known a few Christian brothers and sisters who have heard angelic choirs and even seen God's angelic army. Some who have been transported to heaven and back for what seemed like hours was only minutes in the natural realm. I have come to the place in my life where I would rather hear someone with a vision from God rather than an argument for God.
Mystics have such a deep love for God that their knowing is beyond knowledge. Mystics have such a passion for truth that they perceive and see the same reality around them at a whole different level of experiencing and feeling. My own spiritual life is becoming more mystical as I get still, listen to the mystical intuitions of the Holy Spirit within my own life. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with joy and peace and other times I am in intense fear and trembling of the Holy.
If there is a direction for Christian writers, poets, and theologians for the future, I would hope it would be in this direction of wonder, mystery, ecstasy, beauty, and developing what I call a sanctified imagination. Going deeper into the mystery of the Trinity should lead us into a new vitality in our Christian discipleship and faith. Learning both from the glory of beauty and the depths of pain should teach us greater meaning of Christ's passion, suffering, and entering into a cruciform lifestyle.
What is even more surprising and amazing is when we begin to see in the dark and find light from God we have never seen or experienced before. We enter into the humanity of Jesus and the divinity of Christ in ways we never thought possible or could ever imagine before. Self-surrender becomes a lifestyle and communion with God becomes part of our life like breathing. It is only when we empty ourselves from all the false images of the intellect that we free our own imprisoned spirit. When we do this, nothing satisfies us but God and truth. We get glimpses of heaven as well as discover our true selves. The true mystic knows oneself and is becoming more like God.
When God's Spirit penetrates our spirit then everything becomes naked and exposed. We feel calmness even when there is strife all around. God's goodness permeates our soul to where we have such gratitude and aliveness in everything we do. Chores for others become acts of kindness rather than duties to be tolerated. Mystics learn to embrace both paradox and an all embracing simplicity to life which seemed so complicated and frantic before. The mystic knows by shutting out the world and shutting in God is true happiness and bliss. The mystic enjoys the benefits of heaven knowing full well this is only a foretaste of what is to come.
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