If, like me, you were raised in the Protestant Christian tradition, or a non-religious household or even another faith tradition, you may be surprised to learn that there is, in fact, a mystical branch of Christianity.
Raised in the Presbyterian church, I spent the better part of my young adult life exploring spirituality outside of Christianity. I was attracted to the Eastern practices of the Yogic-Hindu tradition and Buddhist teachings, in part because of the rich number of practices that didn’t teach doctrine, but rather gave practical ways to live out an embodied spirituality.
I can personally attest to how deeply these practices have changed my life.
Yet, something about my home tradition; Christianity, and the teachings of Jesus kept calling me back. Thus I returned, and decided to attend seminary.
It was around this time that I started discovering the mystical tradition of Christianity, more prominent in Eastern denominations such as the Eastern Orthodox Church. I chose courses in seminary that would allow me to more deeply explore these teachings.
I have been amazed at what I have found, particularly as it overlaps so effortlessly with many of my Yogic and Buddhist practices and beliefs.
Thus, I present to you an “Introduction on Christian Mysticism”. I have done my best to put together an introduction that is academically sound, whilst using language that is approachable. When talking about mystical experiences and advanced states of consciousness, however, language is difficult. This is just something that must be accepted with the territory. We are discussing subject matter, that can ultimately, not be known through language.
This is my best (current) attempt.
May this presentation spark something in you and expand your knowledge of the Christian mystical tradition.
Many blessings,
Hannah
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kariatis, Philip. “Contemporary Christian Spirituality: Insights from the Eastern Orthodox Medieval Mystical Tradition,” Pacifica 17 (2004) 311-319.
Ladouceur, Paul. "The Experience of God as Light in the Orthodox Christian Tradition," Journal of Pentecostal Theology 28 (2019) 165-185.
Louth, Andrew. The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition: From Plato to Denys. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. 73-127.
Meister Eckhart, The Essential Sermons. Translated by Edmund Colledge and Bernard McGinn. New York: Paulist, 1981. 192-96 (sermon 22).
Merton, Thomas. A Course in Christian Mysticism. Kindle Edition. Edited by Jon. M Sweeney. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2017.
Porete, Marguerite. The Mirror of Simple Souls. Translated by Ellen L. Babinksy. Mahwah: Paulist Press 1993.
Pseudo-Dionysius, “The Mystical Theology,” in Pseudo-Dionysius: The Complete Works, Translated by Colm Luibheid. New York: Paulist, 1987, 135-41.
St. Teresa of Avila. Interior Castle. Edited and Translated by E. Allison Peers. Garden City, New York: Dover Publications, 1946.
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