ONLY THE MYSTICS WILL SURVIVE - Outline

ONLY THE MYSTICS WILL SURVIVE

“The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me;

my eye and God's eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love.”

Meister Eckhart (13^th Century Christian Mystic)
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These are some notes and reflections based  on two main sources.  The first ,and primary source, is  a series of talks delivered by Ishpriya Mataji,(the Spiritual Guide and Founder of the International SatsangAssociation) at a John Main Conference   held in Dublin, Ireland. The second is personal reflection and lived experience. The Conference talks were recorded and, along with some of  these notes, were used to support a series  of Satsang Meeting  (in Wolverhampton, UK). These  meetings focused on the crisis currently facing most formal Religious Traditions in this post-modern era.

Many leading figures of the modern mystical movement contend that only those who face the challenges and questions that arise out of our modern era will survive.  We are currently undergoing major shifts in our consciousness and  a massive growth in our scientific, cosmological and theological awareness and knowledge. This faces us with many challenges and opportunities. The Faith Traditions can help but  very often, in their struggle to maintain and retain their influence, they  merely give formal and  ready packaged theological answers to the questions. Very often these answers address questions which seekers are neither seeking nor  asking.

But first let us look at the word ‘ Mystic’. The following  dictionary definitions of  MYSTIC are ..

‘ Of or relating to mysticism or mystics.’

‘Inspiring a sense of mystery and wonder’.

‘A person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the Absolute’

These definitions give some sense of the essence of mysticism and mystics. They also indicate the root connection with the word mystery.  Spiritual sages, saints and prophets throughout time and from different traditions, all indicate that there is a MYSTERY behind Creation. It is this Mystery that has enthralled , and still enthralls, mystics in all cultures and Faith Traditions.

Ishpriya’s Conference Talks were delivered in six separate sessions. Over the next few weeks, our Satsang Blog will present  a series of Blog Posts which reflect on each of these talks. They will also include quotations and readings from a variety of Mystics to support the theme or topic being addressed. The following are the six themes :

Theme 1:      Listen to the Spirit: A movement into Mystical Consciousness.

Theme  2 –   Face to Face :- A Direct Experience of the Mystery

Theme  3 : –    The Signs of Mysticism.

Theme 4 : –    Our Common and Universal Spiritual  Inheritance.

Theme  5     Responses to Question Part One  - 
                     Developing a Mystical Consciousness

Theme  6 :- Responses to Question Part 2

                    Developing a Mystical Consciousness – The Importance of Meditation

In the time since we used these Conference talks  we have focused on many aspects of the Spiritual Journey and looked at a variety of Sadhana Practices ( Spiritual Practices) that assist us in developing both our awareness of, and relationship with, the Mystery we call God. We all have a 'mystical part' and each of us has experienced  times of being mystic. These Blog Posts will expand on previous notes and posts on this blog and on our Satsang Website.

The first of these Blog Posts will appear shortly.  Finally, when all 6 have been posted a pdf copy will be placed on the Resources  Documents Page of the website. Meanwhile, if you are interested in the Spirituality of the Satsang then visit the following websites :

www.international-satsang.org

www.satsang-companionship.org.uk