In modern times, and certainly in the last 5000 years, the modern Faith Traditions have both sought to understand and to convey some sense of the Mystery, which Gi they have termed 'God', by whatever name - Jahweh, God, Allah, Ultlimate Reality etc. In their own way, each of the Faith Traditions have sought to convey a sense of the Mystery. They have attempted to help us to understand the mystical aspect of creation. They have done so by providing us with a combination of Scripture, Rites, Rituals, Rules and experiential tradition. The latter has mainly relied on the example of the great mystics.
However, all the above are merely an attempt to assist us in our own unique search for the Absolute, the Sacred, the Mystery. The error we can all make is to forget that both the Mystics and the Traditions are merely trying to point towards the Mystery, they are not the Mystery. If we do so, we can 'hang on'to the God of the Faith Traditions and this can, unless challenged by the lived experience of the Mystery, can become a God made in OUR IMAGE. The following story may help to clarify and point out the potential error.
' The mystic came back from the desert. ' Tell us' they said, ' What is God like !'
But how could he ever tell them what he had experienced in his heart? Can God be put into words ? The Mystic finally gave his questioners answer.
He gave them a formula - so inaccurate, so inadequate , in the hope that some of them might be tempted to experience it ( the Mystery) for themselves.
They seized upon the formula. They made it a sacred text. They imposed it on others as a holy belief. They went to great pains to spread it to foreign lands. Some gave their lives for it.
The Mystic was sad. It might have been better if he had said nothing
