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

[Lightkeeper]

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

[Melody]

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.

Explain Christian mystics?

[Lightkeeper]

People like St. Francis of Assissi who reached high levels of consciousness through Christianity.

[Raphael]

What do you need to know about catholic mysticism?

[Hirohito18200]

hhmm.... I'm curious, are these mystics sort of like the Muslim Sufis? I'm reading The Conference of the Birds, a pretty famous narative of a prominent sufi, so i'm sure the christian counterparts would be just as engaging... I'll probably read a little more.

[precentor]

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.

As an old clergyman I knew once said, regarding mysticism : "Just look at the word! It starts with mist and ends with schism."

[Master Vigil]

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

[Feathers in Hair]

Also Hildegard... I can never remember her last name.

[precentor]

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

Also Hildegard... I can never remember her last name.

Hildegard of Bingen (von Bingen, if you want to be all German about it).

[oracle]

I in fact, consider myself a christian mystic. I was born and raised in a conservative christian environment, but my views have changed over time, because of the fact that parts of what is orthodox doctrine does not make sense to me (not only that but curruption in churches). I am in fact very familiar with the bible, and study it word for word, from the original hebrew and greek.
I'm sure you know what Gnosticism is, and the philosphy behind it. But I and many others believe that Gnosticism is closer to the original christian religion, more so than any christian denomination.
Their belief is in Gnosis, that it is an aquired knowledge that redeems you from this world, and of immanence (that the divine is within you), which much of their written scripture hides this secret by using allegory or rhetoric, esotoric symbolism (parables) that Jesus used to hide secrets.

Matthew 7:6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" 11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

Mathew 13:35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."

If fact, they claim that the story of Jesus's birth, being born of Virgin Mary, did not literally happen, but it is a metaphor containing a deeper meaning. Likewise, the last supper, and crucifixion of Jesus is taken too literal.

I believe that I am in fact able to interpret much of rhetoric found in the canonical scriptures, and especially most of the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. Of course everyone has there own way of interpretation.

The Gospel of Thomas was highly used by gnostics. Some scholars believe it to be the original sayings of Jesus, and there is new evidence supporting this.

The Gnostic sects such as the Naasessenes were labeled as heretics by the orthodox church, persecuted and murdered by the fathers of the Roman Catholic denomination of today. Some say It was an attempt to keep Christianity pure of false doctrines, as there were many forgeries at the time. Rather instead of keeping it genuine, they changed the face of christianity. The canon of today is the result of politics, and Catholicism is legalistic. You must have the church in order to have a relationship with the father. However in Gnosticim, the relationship with God is personal. This is my personal opinion (no offense to those of this denomination) I believe that Catholicism, has nothing to do with God, it is advanced mind control, and turned into a political vehicle used to control the masses (there is much evidense behing this) but let me keep this in another discussion.