Mystic, prophet, author, activist, and Trappist monk, Thomas Merton (d. 1968) said (and I paraphrase): If you don't know the difference between pleasure and joy then you have not yet begun to live. This is decidedly a mystic's perspective. Here are three reasons I recommend reading the mystics.
1. The mystics open us up like nothing else. The magical thing about the mystics is that you don't have to "study" them. You only need to read them. Or as it may be available, you can listen to them on Youtube. Read or listen to a bit of the mystics every day and observe the emergence of
a curious lack of need for understanding that grows into the knowledge of the well-being of all things (Julian of Norwich)
a boundless heart that seeks only to be in the presence of God in those poems that are infecting your life
a sudden Love of the people you meet who are not actually strangers at all but pieces of yourself that you have grown eyes to recognize with Love
and a joy that lifts you off your feet though pleasure is no where to be found.
2. The mystics teach us how to escape the trap of dualism. Richard Rohr, a living mystic in our own time, points out that when we are trapped in dualism we cannot go anywhere spiritually (my words). In this link, Rohr offers a 30 min. lesson on non-dualism. Rohr is one of my teachers and I highly recommend him to everyone in the church today who is serious about transcending the dualistic traps of culture and moving into "another" place mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, that is, moving into Love. This is the not the work of growing in faith, but rather, just growing up. When we grow up we realize that we must make a choice: Do we want to be right? or Do we want to be in relationship? God is in the relationship business and cares not for satisfying the ego.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EHe6tppkX0
3. The mystics are where we want to be. There is a saying that suggests that if you want to aspire to grow spiritually you must find a mentor or teacher to guide you who is farther ahead on the journey than you are. And when you find that person ask them what they are reading. Read that.
In the case of they mystics, read what they have written.
I leave you with this sample:
NO MORE LEAVING
(by Hafiz, d. 1389, Persian poet)
At
Some point
Your relationship
With God
Will
Become like this:
Next time you meet Him in the forest
Or on a crowded city street
There won't be anymore
"Leaving."
That is,
God will climb into
Your pocket.
You will simply just take
Yourself
Along!
Thank you for reading my blog and walking with me in the path of spiritual grace; for your willingness to spend this time with me as together we learn how to see and be Christ in the world. Rowena +
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