Mysticism is a spiritual practice that has been around for centuries. It is often described as a way of knowing God or the divine, though there is no one single definition of mysticism.
People who practice mysticism may use different methods to achieve an elevated state of consciousness, such as meditation, prayer, or contemplation. They may also engage in certain rituals or disciplines, such as fasting or chanting. Mystics claim to experience a deep connection with the divine, which can result in profound insights and revelations. They sometimes describe this experience as being beyond words or concepts.
Mysticism is not widely understood, and there is no scientific evidence to support the claims made by mystics. However, some people find it to be a highly transformative experience that brings about positive changes in their lives. Some mystics believe it is possible to be in constant communication with the divine, and that the divine may intervene in people’s lives.
By contrast, other mystics claim that such experiences are rare. They say that the goal of mysticism is not about making contact with God, but rather becoming closer to human beings and more aware of one’s own spirit.
In a highly influential book called “The Varieties of Religious Experience,” psychologist William James defined religion as a belief in a mystical reality—that is, a reality beyond ordinary experience or understanding. He described mysticism as being an altered state of consciousness where the individual feels connected to this greater spiritual reality.
It should be noted that not all religions see mysticism as a central part of their practice. Christianity, for example, does not emphasize mystical experiences as much as some other religions do.
Critics of mysticism argue that there is no evidence to support the claims made by mystics. They say that any experiences that may seem mystical can be easily explained as being the result of psychological factors or even hallucinations.
However, many people find mysticism to be a deeply meaningful experience that brings about positive changes in their lives. And while the scientific evidence for mysticism is inconclusive, that doesn’t mean it isn’t real for those who experience it.
Forms of mysticism
A common belief among mystics is that it is possible to be in constant communication with the divine and that the divine may intervene in people’s lives. By contrast, other mystics claim that such experiences are rare and instead argue that the goal of mysticism is about becoming closer to human beings. Some forms of mysticism include asceticism, contemplation, and meditation.
Asceticism
Asceticism is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from material comforts and constant devotion to the practice of religion. Ascetics may withdraw from society for extended periods of time or take vows that limit their behavior, such as limiting their diet to plants, refraining from sex, or not speaking at all. The goal of asceticism is to show self-denial and reach a state of enlightenment.
Some mystics use ascetic practices like fasting and silence to focus on religious goals like attaining profound insights into the nature of reality. They believe that mystical experiences can only be awakened through these practices.
Other people who engage in asceticism do so because they believe it has practical benefits such as strengthening mental discipline and purifying the body. Asceticism has been a part of many religions, including Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.
Contemplation
Contemplation is a religious practice that involves deep reflection on sacred texts or symbols in order to encourage insight into life’s meaning. Contemplative practices can be found across many religions. People who practice contemplation may have daily periods where they focus on meditation or prayer in an attempt to understand their own beliefs and deepen their spiritual connection with the divine. Buddhists contemplate in order to become enlightened, while Christians and Muslims might contemplate in order to feel closer to God through self-reflection and understanding spiritual truths from holy texts like the Bible or Quran.
Contemplative practices are sometimes used by mystics to harness insight or epiphanies about the nature of reality. Contemplation is also used as an introspective tool, where thinkers attempt to better understand themselves and their environment through self-reflection.
Some people think that contemplation has practical benefits such as increasing mental discipline or deepening spiritual connection with the divine, while others believe that contemplation is simply a way to fill time in religious practice.
Meditation
Meditation is a practice that has different meanings in different cultures, but the common denominator across all these practices is the mental component. Meditation often involves focusing on your breath or reciting prayers in order to achieve self-reflection and promote feelings of peace and serenity. People who meditate often start with shorter sessions, but then increase their time as they become more comfortable with it. Meditation is an important part of many religions, especially Hinduism and Buddhism.
Some mystics believe that meditation can lead to mystical experiences because it helps them focus their thoughts entirely on abstract concepts like the nature of God or the origin of the universe. Others regard meditation as a tool used before entering into mystical states (through prayer or fasting) to help them achieve those states. Some research has shown that meditating for extended periods of time can have benefits such as improved immune function, but the science isn’t conclusive yet.
Meditation often goes hand-in-hand with contemplation and many mystics use both practices in their religious practice.
Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam whose goal is to become one with God or attain enlightenment through selfless devotion and prayer. Sufis believe that they need to purify themselves spiritually by living simply and honestly, which leads them to engage in ascetic practices like fasting and silence. They also engage in contemplative practices like reciting prayers repeatedly in order to achieve a trance-like state.
Some mystics believe that the mystical experiences brought on by contemplation or meditation are valid because they were granted to you by God. Others believe that these experiences aren’t worth anything because they’re too subjective and individualistic. In the end, whether the religious practices of contemplation or meditation lead to mystical experiences is up for debate. Some people think that these practices are necessary for a mystical experience, while others believe that anyone can have a mystical experience without doing any contemplation or meditation. The jury is still out on this one!
Mysticism across cultures
While religions have different names for their mystic traditions, some may overlap. It’s impossible to know how many mystics exist because there’s no way to quantify a mystical experience. If you have ever wondered if you had a religious experience, then chances are that you did! Some people believe that your brain chemistry can be changed by engaging in practices like contemplation or meditation, which can bring on feelings of contentment and peace. When the brain senses these positive emotions, it floods itself with dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and other chemicals that promote good feelings. This flood of neurotransmitters gives the brain what some say is a spiritual experience.
Whether or not a religious experience is considered mystical depends on the person you’re asking and whether or not they’ve had that particular experience themselves because mysticism is such an individualistic concept, it’s hard to know if someone has actually had a mystical experience without speaking to them personally. Mystics use many different methods for attaining their experiences of self-transcendence, but some scholars believe that practicing contemplation or meditation can lead to mystical experiences because these practices make your brain more open to the divine.
If you believe in God and have ever wondered what communion with Him would be like, then you may already have a strong basis for having a religious/mystical experience yourself! While doctors and scientists still don’t understand all of the mechanisms that are involved in a mystical experience, it’s clear that various practices can lead to changes in the brain that promote feelings of peace and well-being. So if you’re interested in exploring your spiritual side, then contemplation or meditation may be a good place to start!