Here I am responding again to Carl McColman’s latest blog. This one, posted today, is about mysticism in the midst of the latest mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso.
viamystica.com/is-mystical-spirituality-an-appropriate-response-to-the-social-and-political-crises-of-our-time-absolutely/
McColman writes about mystical spirituality, or to use another term of his, contemplative practice. Those of us, whatever our religious tradition, who spend time praying, practicing meditation, contemplating religious texts, and searching for God, can resonate with these terms. For my purposes here I will embrace the phrase mystical spiritualism as I struggle to make sense of my faith journey in light of the violence in these two American cities over the weekend.
Is it enough to sit praying in my beautiful yard? How does this kind of being compare with the doing others are taking on? As I’ve mentioned before, I believe God has called me to pray for others. For years that call has focused on praying for individuals, but recently I’ve been praying for situations. What is behind my prayer? How do people and situations change? How do I change? How does God change? Those questions are mysterious, cryptic, and vague; any answers will also be mysterious, cryptic, and vague. Of course the answer is LOVE, but that one word answer isn’t easy to comprehend and live by.
McColman offers a few thoughts to answer the question, “How can mystical spirituality help us to deal with our social and political challenges?”
• Mysticism fosters humility and an ability to listen.
• Mysticism reminds us that God created and loves everyone, not just the people on “our” side.
• Mystical practices teach us how to think creatively.
• Mystical living helps to foster compassion, forgiveness, and healing.
viamystica.com/is-mystical-spirituality-an-appropriate-response-to-the-social-and-political-crises-of-our-time-absolutely/
McColman writes about mystical spirituality, or to use another term of his, contemplative practice. Those of us, whatever our religious tradition, who spend time praying, practicing meditation, contemplating religious texts, and searching for God, can resonate with these terms. For my purposes here I will embrace the phrase mystical spiritualism as I struggle to make sense of my faith journey in light of the violence in these two American cities over the weekend.
Is it enough to sit praying in my beautiful yard? How does this kind of being compare with the doing others are taking on? As I’ve mentioned before, I believe God has called me to pray for others. For years that call has focused on praying for individuals, but recently I’ve been praying for situations. What is behind my prayer? How do people and situations change? How do I change? How does God change? Those questions are mysterious, cryptic, and vague; any answers will also be mysterious, cryptic, and vague. Of course the answer is LOVE, but that one word answer isn’t easy to comprehend and live by.
McColman offers a few thoughts to answer the question, “How can mystical spirituality help us to deal with our social and political challenges?”
• Mysticism fosters humility and an ability to listen.
• Mysticism reminds us that God created and loves everyone, not just the people on “our” side.
• Mystical practices teach us how to think creatively.
• Mystical living helps to foster compassion, forgiveness, and healing.
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