Mysticism has been around for centuries, and it offers a wealth of insights into how to live an extraordinary life. Extraordinary does not mean easy or without problems. It takes courage. It takes practice. It is not comfortable. There is more to life than what we can see and touch, and there are a variety of practices and techniques that can help us to connect with the divine and to experience a deeper level of reality.

A few of those practices are:

• Live in the present moment. Mystics believe that the present moment is the only moment that is real, and they encourage us to live our lives with a sense of mindfulness and awareness. The past informs the present moment. The future is only a potential arising from this moment. When we live in the present moment, we are more likely to experience joy, peace, and gratitude.
• Develop your intuition. We all have an inner knowing, or intuition, that helps guide us in our lives. Our intuition can be developed. When we use our intuition we are more likely to make choices more aligned with our purpose and we will be following our true path.
• Let go of attachment. Attachment to material possessions, people, and ideas prevent us from experiencing freedom and happiness. As children, attachment is necessary for our survival. As part of our developmental process, differentiation is healthy and necessary. When we let go of our attachments, we are more likely to live in the present moment.
• Be kind to yourself. We are all connected. We should treat ourselves with the same kindness and compassion that we would treat others. When we are kind to ourselves, we are more able to let go of attachments.
• Serve others. Mystics believe that service to others is part of the path to enlightenment. When we serve others, we are not only helping them, but we are also helping ourselves.

Living an extraordinary life is not about achieving material success or fame, (although that may happen). It is about living a life that is true to your heart and that is filled with love, compassion, and gratitude. If you are willing to embrace the insights of mysticism, you can create a life that is truly extraordinary.