Into the Mystic

Raised Catholic

In the first of a series, today's episode is an introduction to mysticism and an invitation to explore everyday mysticism as a path that will benefit not only our individual faith lives, but also our Church. I hope the following resources will help you to explore this topic in a deeper way for yourself.

If you'd like to connect with me, find me on Instagram or on my blog. If you'd like to help support this podcast financially, there's now a way to do just that, and thank you - visit me on my page at buymeacoffee.com!

1. A multi-part series on accessible mysticism by Fr. James Martin published by HuffPost, adapted from an essay from his book, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life

Want to Experience God? You Already Have: Incompletion

Want to Experience God? You Already Have: Common Longings and Connections

Want to Experience God? You Already Have: Uncommon Longings

Want to Experience God? You Already Have: Exaltation and Clarity

Want to Experience God? You Already Have: Vulnerability

2. Book: The Little Book of Christian Mysticism: Essential Wisdom of Saints, Seers, and Sages, by Carl McColman

3. Book: The Interior Castle, by Teresa of Avila

4. Book: What the Mystics Know: Seven Pathways to Your Deeper Self, by Fr. Richard Rohr

5. Video: What is a Mystic, by Fr. Richard Rohr

6. Podcast series: Abiding Together, 4-part series on the four women doctors of the Catholic Church. Each of these women, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Liseux, St. Hildegard of Bingen, and St. Catherine of Siena - all mystics.

7. Song: Into the Mystic, by Van Morrison

8. Song: Wonder (Spontaneous), by Bethel Music and Amanda Lindsey Cook

9. Song: Spem in Alium (The Forty-Part Motet), by Thomas Tallis

10. Journal prompts:

When have I experienced God (or what I perceived as supernatural) in nature, in church, through another person, or through some other way? Describe the experience as best you can, your reaction to it, and write about how that experience colored your thinking from that time on.

Do I believe that every person has the potential for mysticism? Why or why not?

How can I put myself in the path of receiving a mystical experience in the future?