Meditations and Musings

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.

Meditation is a powerful tool that can help mystics connect with their inner wisdom and have a direct experience with the divine. There are many different types of meditation, but three of the most available include:

Vipassana meditation 

Vipassana is a form of meditation that focuses on observing the breath and the body. This helps develop greater awareness of your own thoughts and feelings, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.

To practice Vipassana meditation, you can sit in a comfortable position and focus on your breath. As you breathe in, say to yourself “I am breathing in.” As you breathe out, say to yourself “I am breathing out.” You can also focus on your body, noticing any sensations you feel, such as the weight of your body on the chair or the feeling of your breath on your skin.

When your mind wanders, which it will, gently bring it back to your breath or your body. There is no need to judge yourself for getting distracted. Just keep bringing your attention back to your breath or your body.

As you continue to practice Vipassana meditation, you will start to notice the impermanence of all things. You will see that your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations are constantly changing. This can be a liberating experience, as it can help you to let go of attachments and expectations.

Here are some of the key principles of Vipassana meditation:

• Non-judgment: Not judging your thoughts, feelings, or sensations as good or bad. When you judge your experiences, you create suffering for yourself. When you practice non-judgment, you are able to accept your experiences as they are, without resistance.
• Acceptance: Accepting things as they are, without trying to change them. When you accept things as they are, you are able to let go of attachments and expectations. This can help you to reduce stress and anxiety and to live more effectively.
• Present moment awareness: Paying attention to the present moment without judgment. When you are present, you are not caught up in the past or the future. You are simply experiencing the present moment as it is. This can help you to reduce stress and anxiety and to enjoy life more fully.

Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation is a form of meditation that teaches you to focus your attention on the present moment without judgment. It is a way of training your mind to be more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without getting caught up in them.

To practice mindfulness meditation, you can sit in a comfortable position and focus on your breath. As you breathe in, say to yourself “I am breathing in.” As you breathe out, say to yourself “I am breathing out.” You can also focus on your body, noticing any sensations you feel, such as the weight of your body on the chair or the feeling of your breath on your skin.

When your mind wanders, which it will, gently bring it back to the present moment. There is no need to judge yourself for getting distracted. Just keep bringing your attention back to your breath or your body.

Mindfulness meditation can be practiced for any length of time, but it is helpful to start with short sessions of 5 or 10 minutes. As you become more familiar with the practice, you can gradually increase the length of your sessions.

Here are some core concepts of mindfulness:

1. Present-focused awareness: Paying attention to the present moment without judgment. You are aware of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, but you do not get caught up in them.
2. An accepting or open attitude: Accepting your thoughts and feelings without judgment. You do not try to change your thoughts or feelings. You simply observe them.
3. Compassion for self and others: This means having a kind and understanding attitude towards yourself and others. You are able to see yourself and others with compassion.
4. The energy of mindfulness: The energy that arises when you are mindful. It is a sense of peace, calm, and clarity. You are able to tap into this energy and use it in your life.

Centering prayer

Centering prayer is a form of contemplative prayer that shows you how to center your awareness on the presence of the divine. To do this, one chooses a sacred word, such as “peace” or “love,” and repeats it silently to yourself as you sit quietly in a comfortable position. When your mind wanders, simply bring it back to the sacred word.

To practice centering prayer here are the basic steps:

1. Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.
2. Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight.
3. Close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath.
4. Choose a sacred word, such as “peace” or “love.”
5. Repeat the sacred word silently to yourself as you breathe in and out.
6. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the sacred word.
7. Continue for 20-30 minutes.

Some of the key principles of centering prayer are:

• Receptive silence: Allowing yourself to be open to the presence of God without trying to control or direct the experience.
• Simple awareness: Being aware of your sacred word and your breath without judgment.
• Gently returning: Gently returning your attention to your sacred word whenever your mind wanders.
• Patience and perseverance: Being patient with yourself and your practice, and persevering even when it is difficult.

Be Patient

Meditation is a powerful technology that’s been around for thousands of years and has helped mystics of differing traditions connect with their inner wisdom and experience a deeper connection with the divine. If you are interested in cultivating this experience, I encourage you to give it a try. There are many types of meditation, find one that works for you. And most importantly, be patient. It takes time and persistence to develop a meditation practice, but the benefits are well worth it.

Reading spiritual texts can be a powerful way to connect with the divine, to gain insights into their own spiritual journey, and to learn from the wisdom of others. There are different spiritual texts available, you should find those that speak to you. I have found there are spiritual texts that wisdom traditions have recognized for hundreds and thousands of years like the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, the Koran, and the Tripitaka. You may find other ancient and modern texts sacred to you.

Benefits of Reading Spiritual Texts

• Increased awareness: Spiritual texts can help develop greater awareness of your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This can lead to a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.
• Deeper connection with the divine: These texts can help you experience a deeper connection with the divine leading to a greater peace and inspiration.
• New perspectives: Spiritual texts often illuminate new perspectives on life, death, and the nature of reality. This can help one to see the world in a new light and to grow spiritually.
• Wisdom from the past: Many texts contain the wisdom of the ages. Reading these texts can help you to learn valuable insights from the experiences of others and to gain new understanding into your own spiritual journey.

Choosing Texts for You

There are many different spiritual texts available. Here are a few tips for finding those that may best resonate with you:

• Consider your spiritual tradition. If you are part of a particular spiritual tradition, there are likely many texts that are considered sacred within that tradition. These texts can be a great place to start. Ask others you know and trust for their recommendations
• Explore different traditions. If you are not part of a particular spiritual tradition, or if you are interested in learning about different traditions, a Google or Amazon search will be a great start for exploring different spiritual paths.
• Read with an open mind. When you are reading spiritual texts, it is important to read with an open mind. You are on this path to challenge your own beliefs and to explore new ideas.
• Find a community. This is not easy. You may need to visit several before you find one where you feel you belong. The right community for you can provide support and encouragement, and can also be a great way to discuss and share your insights.

Reading spiritual texts can be a powerful way for you to connect with the divine, to gain insights into your own spiritual journey, and to learn from the wisdom of others. If you are interested in exploring the benefits of reading spiritual texts, I encourage you to do some research and find texts that are right for you and suit your needs and interests. And as with all experiences along this journey, be patient. It takes time to develop an understanding of these texts.

Nature has always been a source of inspiration and awe for mystics. From the ancient Greeks to the Native Americans, mystics have found a deep connection to the natural world. 

By connecting with nature, one can experience:

• Increased awareness: Time in nature can help to develop greater awareness of your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, leading to a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.
• Deeper connection with the divine: Nature is seen as a manifestation of the divine, and spending time in nature can help one to experience that deeper connection, creating a greater sense of peace and inspiration.
• Reduced stress: Nature has a calming effect on the mind, body and spirit. Spending time in nature can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Improved mood: Spending time in nature provides grounding and can improve mood and boost feelings of well-being.
• Increased creativity: The aesthetics of nature can spark creativity and inspiration out of the beauty and diversity.

Find Ways to Connect with the Earth

• Go for a walk. This is a simple way to connect with the natural world. Reduce distractions and pay attention to the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.
• Spend time in a garden. Gardens are a beautiful and peaceful place to connect with nature. You can work in a garden, sit on a bench, or simply walk through a garden.
• Camping. Camping is a great way to connect with nature. Sleep under the stars, hike in the woods, and swim in a lake.
• Hiking. Hiking can connect you with nature and help you get some exercise. Be aware of the plants, animals and natural beauty you see along your hike.
• Volunteer for an environmental organization. Volunteer to clean up a river, plant trees, or educate others about environmental issues.

Connecting with nature is a powerful way to connect with the divine, to gain insights into your own spiritual journey, and to experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Find ways that suit your needs and interests. And as always, be patient. It may take you time and effort to develop a deep connection with nature and how it reflects the divine to you.

Are you interested in exploring the mystical life? Do you want to experience a deeper connection with the Source? If so, there are a few things you can do to get started.

Be open to the possibility of a deeper reality. The first step on the mystical path is to open your mind to the possibility that there is more to life than what we can see and touch. This may be a challenge, especially if you have been conditioned to believe that the world is a purely material place. However, if you are willing to open your mind, you will be amazed at what you can discover.

Explore different spiritual traditions and practices. There are many different spiritual traditions that incorporate mystical elements. Some of the most well-known include Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. However, mysticism is not limited to any one tradition. Mystical experiences can occur in people of all faiths, or in people who do not identify with any particular faith.

Trust your intuition. Your intuition is a powerful tool that can guide you on your mystical path. Pay attention to your gut feelings and follow your inner guidance. If something feels right, then go for it. If something doesn’t feel right, then trust that and move on.

Be patient. The mystical path is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and effort to develop your spiritual awareness. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t have a mystical experience right away.

Here are some additional tips for starting your mystical path:

• Find a teacher or mentor. Having someone who can guide you on your journey can be invaluable.
• Join a spiritual community. Being surrounded by other people who are on the same path can provide support and encouragement.
• Read spiritual texts. There are many great books that can help you to learn more about mysticism.
• Spend time in nature. Nature is a powerful source of spiritual inspiration.

I hope these tips help you to start your mystical path. Remember, the journey is a lifelong one, and there is no one destination. However, the journey is well worth it, as it can lead to a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

Starting your mystical path can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Start your journey today!