Christian Mystics (mysticism, experience, catholic, Christianity, muslim)

[Master Vigil]

The greatest part of mysticism is that it understands that words are not enough. This comes down hard on those who hold those bibles SO close to themselves. But yes, in the end, the bible is not nerely enough. All mystics agree that god is beyond owrds and ideas, (taoism? I think so) and therefore the bible cannot touch on divine in any way. It is like a finger pointing to the moon. Sure the finger may be pointing in the right direction, but too many people are focusing on the finger (bible) and not the moon (god, tao).

[oracle]

I believe that what is truth is revealed by nature alone, and not by what is man made. Men distorts what is truth, and are so blinded by their own ego that they cannot tell fact from fiction.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

[oracle]

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

All mystics agree that god is beyond owrds and ideas, (taoism? I think so) and therefore the bible cannot touch on divine in any way.

Yes this is very true. I think us mystics all agree that God is without form, infinite, eternal, incomprensible.

Although much of orthodoxy gives God human qualities, for purposes so humans can relate, it in no way makes God more relational, but distorts his true attributes. God's nature alone cannot be compared to the nature of any other. Although we were created in His image, man has placed his own image on God, and the result fulfills the esotoric symbolism of revelations.

[Master Vigil]

Do you find that this gives less credibility to christianity? Since it is based solely on man's idea of god?

[oracle]

The Christianity of today is Pauline Christianity. I respect Paul and believe him to be the greater of the aposles, however some things should not be regarded as truth, but rather he took certain precautions to preserve the church from being currupted.
In no way should you shame others oppressivley so they would be afraid of sinning, but we should address what is truth in a manner of peace.
He was a man with much guilt, which is obvious, as I have psychologically analyzed his character. I believe that some of what Paul says is very much misinterpreted.

Anyways, I believe christianity is credible, but the doctrines and legalistic dogma is not. God is not capable of anger, that is a biological defensive mechanism in humans and animals, and it comes from the "flesh" (physical body), not from the spirit. What is of the spirit, is compassion and humility. Sin, comes from the flesh (i.e. lust of the flesh), and so does the ego. What is human, sinful nature, should not be mixed with the divine nature of God which is unconditional love. For where there is love that is conditional, egoism abides.

What is not credible, is the belief in an angry God who punishes those who do not obey. The consequences that we experience are the results of our own choices, not the judgment of God, but destruction we place on our own selves, self-destruction, an effect caused by giving into the sinful nature.

And also, the belief that Jesus did all the work for us. WE must overcome the "lusts of the flesh", selfishness, and in doing so be freed from our sinful nature. His death did not condone sin so that mankind could keep on sinning.

But it is mankind who loves pleasure more than God, it is mankind who changes scripture with doctrines so they can KEEP ON SINNING... Jesus said, "sin no more".

2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

[No*s]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Have you studied any of the Christian Mystics? If so, what do you think of their experiences? Tell us about their experiences.

In the Orthdox Church, such experiences are encouraged and taught to be the heart of Christianity: the experience with God.

One must still the heart with silence (hesychia), and then progress through prayer to the state of constant prayer. I haven't come near to this state myself, but one must keep form imagining things, and not seek a revelation (in contradistinction to other teachings).

For one such teacher on mysticism, go to:

http://www.fatheralexander.org/bookl...t_seraphim.htm

He's one example, and he'd caution against mysticism outside the Church, though (Orthodox mystics tend to do that).

[Kay]

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

I have yes, just did a paper on it. And at the core of all Mystics, christian or not, I find taoism.

So do I. In a theistic sense at least. I could call myself a taoist panentheist, but eclectic mystic is easier.

[athanasius]

St. Padre Pio(a 20th century mystic and priest) is my favorite mystic. He had gifts the bilocation, healing, reading minds, stigmata, communicating with souls in purgatory, ecstacies when saying the sacrifice of Holy Mass, and a respect and knoweldge of the mysteries of salvation that only a sanctified soul would have.

Often times in the confessional if the penitiant didn't confess all his sins , he would tell the pentitent exactly what those sins were that he didn't confess. Freaked them out Im sure.

He was often times attacked physically by the devil and his demons. He understood the power of Prayer to our blessed Mother. When attacked he would call for his rosary and he called his rosary his "weapon". He healed a blind women named Gemma and she still lives today. When she goes to the doctor and they examine her eyes they tell her she is blind, but in reallity she can see perfectly.

Pio had many gifts and would be a fine intercessor. He knew and spoke of the reality of Purgatory and a permanent Hell, and Devil and the false teachings against the Church. He also knew and spoke of the saving Power of Jesus Christ the Lord as the only way to salvation and about the truth of his Catholic church.

The cool thing about this priest is that you can still see and read all the evidences of his miracles today by the doctors and people still living.

In Christ Love,
Athanasius

[writer]

became man

[ayani]

Thomas a Kempis was a truly great thinker, mystic, and man of great faith and prayer. i would reccomend his "The Immitation of Christ" to anyone, of any faith. a truly beautiful, humbling, prayerful read. i try to read through a chapter daily.