Collection of Writings from Western Mystics

Just came across this excellent site:

https://westernmystics.wordpress.com

Enjoy,

JL

Originally Posted by janielee

Just came across this excellent site:

https://westernmystics.wordpress.com

Enjoy,

JL

Cool and thanks!

Originally Posted by janielee

Just came across this excellent site:

https://westernmystics.wordpress.com

Enjoy,

JL

janielee,

This is one great site.....much better than Google for giving a rather comprehensive treatment of mystics and a glimpse into their bodies of work. That said it is a Pandora's Box of sorts.....the extent to which I will be drawn in could be a blessing or a curse.....:)

My recent interest in Simone Weil motivated me to read about her on this site. I was struck by this quote:

" God mercifully prevented me from reading the mystics, so that it would be evident to me that I had not fabricated this absolutely unexpected contact.”

We are in some danger of becoming wannabees as we delve deeper into the mystics. She seemed to indicate that familiarity with the mystics might have led to doubting her own experiences.....perhaps it could have that effect. It might not be common to all mystics but many of them had mystic experiences early in life and perhaps untainted by acquired knowledge.

Originally Posted by Molearner

janielee,

This is one great site.....much better than Google for giving a rather comprehensive treatment of mystics and a glimpse into their bodies of work. That said it is a Pandora's Box of sorts.....the extent to which I will be drawn in could be a blessing or a curse.....:)

My recent interest in Simone Weil motivated me to read about her on this site. I was struck by this quote:

" God mercifully prevented me from reading the mystics, so that it would be evident to me that I had not fabricated this absolutely unexpected contact.”

We are in some danger of becoming wannabees as we delve deeper into the mystics. She seemed to indicate that familiarity with the mystics might have led to doubting her own experiences.....perhaps it could have that effect. It might not be common to all mystics but many of them had mystic experiences early in life and perhaps untainted by acquired knowledge.

A-ha!

As usual, Molearner, you bring up a point of resonance.

Yes indeed. I usually like to skim - skim and then go and experience myself.

For the first (too many) years I didn't read anything, because to do so is to bring expectation in, potentially taint it, how would I see if I was thinking/imaginging it.

So yes...

I had some experiences before (had considered myself atheist I guess) so...

But yeah I agree, read some things but not everything, and in the end explore for oneself. Know for oneself through the unknowing.

My take

JL

[Miss Hepburn]

Darn good list, my friend!!!!
Glad to see so many I know well, many underlined sentences! Ha!
Glad to see Chico Xavier there ---not forgotten!
Many left out, though.

So true that to most God is a word, an idea...to the mystic God is
oh so real and very personal...spin off of Joel S. Goldsmith.


What makes a mystic - man, I dunno - grace? Past life progress? Both.
Focused desire for God - purity combined with discipline to be still; waiting in the ready.
Yes, all of it.

All I know is God can not resist a heart open to Him ...consistently, steadily...not whimsically.
I say with humble reverence.

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

Darn good list, my friend!!!!
Glad to see so many I know well, many underlined sentences! Ha!
Glad to see Chico Xavier there ---not forgotten!
Many left out, though.

So true that to most God is a word, an idea...to the mystic God is
oh so real and very personal...spin off of Joel S. Goldsmith.


What makes a mystic - man, I dunno - grace? Past life progress? Both.
Focused desire for God - purity combined with discipline to be still; waiting in the ready.
Yes, all of it.

All I know is God can not resist a heart open to Him ...consistently, steadily...not whimsically.
I say with humble reverence.

Mystic, Shmystic, pass me the pizza. LOL!

Okay, on a serious note and complimenting what I bolded in your post it is said a prerequisite for God Realization is clarity and purity of mind along with dedication and a burning desire. Then and only then will the intellectual transmute into the experiential.

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

Darn good list, my friend!!!!
Glad to see so many I know well, many underlined sentences! Ha!
Glad to see Chico Xavier there ---not forgotten!
Many left out, though.

So true that to most God is a word, an idea...to the mystic God is
oh so real and very personal...spin off of Joel S. Goldsmith.


What makes a mystic - man, I dunno - grace? Past life progress? Both.
Focused desire for God - purity combined with discipline to be still; waiting in the ready.
Yes, all of it.

All I know is God can not resist a heart open to Him ...consistently, steadily...not whimsically.
I say with humble reverence.

Miss Hepburn, consistently you say, yes. It occurred to me that God is waiting always for open hearts...willing hearts..

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

Mystic, Shmystic, pass me the pizza. LOL!

Okay, on a serious note and complimenting what I bolded in your post it is said a prerequisite for God Realization is clarity and purity of mind along with dedication and a burning desire. Then and only then will the intellectual transmute into the experiential.

How does one "click" from the lower mind to the higher mind?

Originally Posted by janielee

How does one "click" from the lower mind to the higher mind?

From the Vedantic perspective clarity of mind is attained through meditation and purity of mind through devotion and service. That plows the field, so to speak, for the planting of the seeds of knowledge and in fertile ground so that they have the best chance of taking root. The Four Yogas.

I'm pretty sure the same end is achieved and by similar practices via The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path. Just a slightly different set of lenses. If one looks closely enough the same is true of any major tradition, though maybe a little more subtle and not as obvious.

It's funny, JASG, for many years I assumed everyone could "see" the lower mind, but I assume this is not the case?