Would it help if lay ppl learned more about mysticism in Christianity?

[sidetrack]

I’ve recently realized something about instances of esoteric like happening in Christianity. Whether it be moments of “ecstasy”,visions of seeing saints or a divine disclosure with a vaguely panentheistic sentiment to it.

As cool and beautiful as reading about such practices is and how awesome it’d seem to go through something like that such experiences,I assume are almost always extremely private and experential.:ehh: For all that awesomeness ,it doesn’t lend itself (“out of necessity”)to readily for an initiative to transforming reality,socially, in ppl receptable to it?.

Wouldn’t explaining to ppl (during say a typical homily) about the mystical practices in Christianity and interlinking it with the main message of self-forgetful altruism in Christian life be helpful to do,more often?. Carefully and in intricate tellings of course. I could see explain any mysticism involved in the Hypostatic union being a common point to talk about.

 

[oldcelt]

I’ve recently realized something about instances of esoteric like happening in Christianity. Whether it be moments of “ecstasy”,visions of seeing saints or a divine disclosure with a vaguely panentheistic sentiment to it.

As cool and beautiful as reading about such practices is and how awesome it’d seem to go through something like that such experiences,I assume are almost always extremely private and experential.:ehh: For all that awesomeness ,it doesn’t lend itself (“out of necessity”)to readily for an initiative to transforming reality,socially, in ppl receptable to it?.

Wouldn’t explaining to ppl (during say a typical homily) about the mystical practices in Christianity and interlinking it with the main message of self-forgetful altruism in Christian life be helpful to do,more often?. Carefully and in intricate tellings of course. I could see explain any mysticism involved in the Hypostatic union being a common point to talk about.

So much of what I believe you are leaning toward have other rational terms attached to them that the Church has intentionally avoided any public acknowledgement for as long as I have lived.

 

[catholicscot]

I think that the tradition of Christian mysticism is one of Catholicism’s best kept secrets. It would be useful to highlight it as a counterbalance to those who are attracted to the non-Christian mystical traditions such as Buddhism. Having said which the experience of ecstasies or visions is not really the point of mysticism. They may come to us or they may not but the project of Union with God through Jesus is the main thing and that can come to us through darkness and silence. The path to Union ordinarily goes through stages classicly categorised as Purgative, Illuminative and Unitive. The purgative stage involves a burning away of self and can be experienced as a dark and difficult time. Entering upon it is no easy thing and Catholics have to be well rooted in the faith and supported by wise spiritual direction to come through it well.

People might be interested to know that my blog often concerns itself with the mystical path and might find this recent post about Mindfulness helpful.

 

[alexsonofmaciek]

It would help if lay people learnt more about their Christian faith and Church history.

 

[sidetrack]

It would help if lay people learnt more about their Christian faith and Church history.

Oh indeed. Particulary the latter since “knowledge before faith” might float some ppl’s boats particularly when it comes to conceptually understanding the development of anything which has volumes.

 

[Neoplatonist]

Part of the problem is that it is very difficult to teach/preach about the mystical side of the faith, because unless people are well-grounded in the principles and concepts of the Catholic faith, it is very easy to slide into any number of various heresies and misunderstandings (like pantheism, or panentheism).

The distinctions are subtle and nuanced in places, and since many in our faith lack a functional understanding of said principles and concepts, mysticism can only safely be treated in very basic terms.

 

[Michael19682]

Pardon me for being, trite – or profound, depending on how this is taken – but I always thought that reception of the Eucharist in a state of grace is a lot like mysticism. Its about who we become, not about who we are?