What is a mystic?

[Neochristian]

I don't need an explanation of the mystical experience. I just want an explanation of that phrase. I suppose it's as opposed to an indirect experience of God?

Yeah, indirect experience I think refers to most institutional religious experiences. Eucharist, etc.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Yeah, indirect experience I think refers to most institutional religious experiences. Eucharist, etc.

As someone who believes in the historic teaching of the Real Presence, it's a bit hard for me to think of the Eucharist as an "indirect" experience of God.

I'm eating and drinking God.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Neochristian]

As someone who believes in the historic teaching of the Real Presence, it's a bit hard for me to think of the Eucharist as an "indirect" experience of God.

I'm eating and drinking God.

-CryptoLutheran

Yeah, but you're not meeting and speaking with Him face to face.

You and I are talking indirectly via the internet. It's much different that talking directly, looking at one another.

Mystics don't usually commune with God via eucharist, churches, traditions, etc.

Non-mystics visit God at His house. God visits mystics at their house.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Yeah, but you're not meeting and speaking with Him face to face.

You and I are talking indirectly via the internet. It's much different that talking directly, looking at one another.

Mystics don't usually commune with God via eucharist, churches, traditions, etc.

Non-mystics visit God at His house. God visits mystics at their house.

I'd counter that the mystic doesn't meet and speak to God face to face either. Even if their experience is genuine. The closest any had to such an encounter that we know of is Moses, and what Moses experienced wasn't God's face, but God's hindquarters. God tells Moses, "no one can see Me and live".

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Neochristian]

I'd counter that the mystic doesn't meet and speak to God face to face either. Even if their experience is genuine. The closest any had to such an encounter that we know of is Moses, and what Moses experienced wasn't God's face, but God's hindquarters. God tells Moses, "no one can see Me and live".

-CryptoLutheran

Yes, nobody meets God face to face and lives. Remember how Paul says he died and was resurrected with Christ? That is the death. He also talks about "face to face" in Corinthians.

Or if you like, they meet Metatron or Michael.

 

[Armoured]

I have a few definitions, but I would like to here others' input.

• A mystic is someone who has direct experience of God.

• A mystic is someone who considers personal firsthand experience to be the highest authority, especially regarding religious things, most especially God.

• A mystic is an unorganized philosopher.

• A mystic is someone whose understanding is bigger than their intellect.


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Can't believe no one mentioned the most important definition

 

[Neochristian]

Can't believe no one mentioned the most important definition

What's the most important definition? I don't recognize the picture.

 

[Armoured]

What's the most important definition? I don't recognize the picture.

Then your education is sadly lacking
http://darkcrystal.wikia.com/wiki/UrRu

 

[Neochristian]

Then your education is sadly lacking
http://darkcrystal.wikia.com/wiki/UrRu

lol I don't think mystics use use things like that. I'm not sure what category that would fall in. Witchcraft maybe.

 

[Ana the Ist]

No, they teach William James who defines mystical experiences as having a noetic quality, which means they involve some "knowing."

Ok....and?

 

[Neochristian]

Ok....and?

And... Mystical experience is a means of knowledge.

Also, his book was mostly observations, which makes it hardly out of date.

 

[Neochristian]

The Book of Proverbs teaches that it's the glory of God to conceal things, and the glory of kings to search them out.

Moreover, Jesus said that any scribe for the Kingdom of Heaven will bring forth from his storehouse what is old (what is already known in the Old Testament scriptures) and what is new (what God was about to bring forth in the New Testament writings).

Paul is clearly such a scribe.

Mystical experiences often do that.

 

[Neochristian]

Paul had revelatory understanding of God's mysteries, but that's different from mysticism because what Paul wrote about was clearly witnessed to in other scriptures.

Revelation is part of mystical experience. They call it noesis.

 

[now faith]

I'm sorry. We're just going to have to disagree.

That's cool the topic is not what I would like to dwell on either.
It's a good question ,considering our exposure to some form of mysticism every day.
The dark symbolism we are exposed to seems to be a conditioning for what is on the way.

 

[Neochristian]

I have no idea what you are talking about.


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[ViaCrucis]

Yes, nobody meets God face to face and lives. Remember how Paul says he died and was resurrected with Christ? That is the death. He also talks about "face to face" in Corinthians.

Or if you like, they meet Metatron or Michael.

1) That's not the kind of death meant.

2) The "face to face" is distinct from the present "in a mirror dimly", referring most likely to the resurrection and renewal of all things at the Eschaton.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Ana the Ist]

And... Mystical experience is a means of knowledge.

Also, his book was mostly observations, which makes it hardly out of date.

Lol so a late 1800s psychologist is the final word on mystical experiences? Why? Because you like what he has to say on the matter?

You do know that "noetic" simply means "relating to the mind". So if someone says that mystical experiences have a noetic quality...it doesn't necessarily mean that they are a source of knowledge. He could be saying that they're just all in your imagination.

 

[FireDragon76]

Mysticism is more common in non-western cultures. Zen Buddhism is a widespread example that most people are familiar with. Subjective experiences are personal apprehension of spiritual truths are a large part of mysticism. For a Buddhist, a mystical experience might be a profound awareness of the reality of impermanence or dependent co-arising (interdependence), for a Christian it might mean an awareness of God's presence. A sense of union or connection are common to many mystical experiences.

 

[Neochristian]

Lol so a late 1800s psychologist is the final word on mystical experiences? Why? Because you like what he has to say on the matter?

You do know that "noetic" simply means "relating to the mind". So if someone says that mystical experiences have a noetic quality...it doesn't necessarily mean that they are a source of knowledge. He could be saying that they're just all in your imagination.

He's a big one they teach in college.

In this case it means it comes with knowledge.

 

[Neochristian]

1) That's not the kind of death meant.

2) The "face to face" is distinct from the present "in a mirror dimly", referring most likely to the resurrection and renewal of all things at the Eschaton.

-CryptoLutheran

I'm fairly certain that's the only kind of death they talk about in the bible.