I’m an ex-Buddhist who found my way to Christ and am now exploring Christianity. I’d like to join a church, both to find a Christian community and because I want a Christian burial when I die.

Is baptism mandatory for someone who wants to follow Christ? And which denomination is closest to Christian mysticism?

I’m particularly interested in traditions that emphasize direct experience of God, contemplation, inner transformation, and prayer rather than only doctrine and institutional rules.

I’d be grateful for any insights or personal experiences. Thank you!

Hello everyone. I hope you have a good day. I'm an Orthodox Christian since my childhood and I would like to engage in Christian Mysticism. What are some essential works/books for a beginner like me? Thank you all in advance.

A very interesting thought I had, while working out how many Christians just assume things like the occult means satanism rather than knowledge hidden from the masses. But obviously applies to Eastern religions and other Abrahamic ones as well.

Usually the logic they use to do so is the exact same that was used to codemn and kill Jesus. Jesus healed countless people drove out demons and performed many miracles. But because it didn't look exactly as the Religious leaders expected, they accused him of blasphemy, controlling demons and more horrible things. Which should sound familiar if you ever talk to some Christians about other religions.

There are people in other religions who do many of the same things as Jesus and are still demonized by many "believers". Following that same old testament sort of judgement. While forgetting the Lord himself was accused of such.

The reason things become occult "again not talking about evil and black magic" is because at times in history religions lose their minds and act just like the idiotic religious leaders of Jesus day and will excommunicate, torture, burn alive and murder very well meaning healers and others for not confirming to their very small minded ideas. As well as being a way to make sure someone is worthy before handing out very powerful information that could be used for bad purposes.

I know only a teensy bit about hesychasm, or about Eastern Orthodox mysticism generally, but I am inspired to write this to share the beauty that it's provided for me, and to provide the perspective of someone who is outside the tradition and for whom its benefits are unexpected, so as to inspire others who are unaware of it or are hesitant to give themselves to it.

(For anyone unfamiliar with the Jesus Prayer, it's a prayer that comes from Eastern Orthodox mysticism, and it goes, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." There are other variants, but the same basic formula. The continuous repetition of this prayer is part of hesychasm, a mystical practice aimed at spiritual transformation.)

I say it's "unexpectedly powerful" because the idea of endlessly repeating "have mercy on me, a sinner" would not have seemed to me particularly healthy or conducive to mystical closeness with God, lol. And it also would have seemed overly self-centered, and not love-centered. I like to speak spontaneously and freely to God and express love endlessly, not petitions.

I first read about it in an old book my dad gave me, an anthology of mysticism (by F.C. Happold). And seeing it contextualized in mystical practice and used for the ultimate aim of theosis, that made me deeply curious (though still unsure that it would offer me anything). So I tried it... And tried it more, off and on... And it is deep and powerful!!

I've discovered, through my humble, ignorant attempts at hesychasm, that there are inexhaustible depths to every word of the prayer, and the meaning is not what I initially assumed.

"Have mercy on me" doesn't mean what I thought it did. This isn't merely asking for forgiveness to get into heaven, or for relief in this world. The mercy we should ask for is the mercy of being transformed in Christ and united with Him! The mercy of being made more loving and Christ-like, the mercy of giving ourselves in love and service, the mercy of having our spiritual illnesses eased and cured, and the mercy of having our eyes opened to the Truth beyond description! It's a mystical transformation, so that all things are changed and shine with the light of God, even in this life!

"A sinner" doesn't mean what I thought it did. Being a sinner is being God's beloved---but humbly! Being a sinner isn't being distant from God, it isn't being lower than you are. It's being exactly what you are, and being loved nonetheless, and being a place where God resides nonetheless. And recognizing it, and stating it, is giving yourself to God and to agape, and as part of this dedicating yourself to mending what is amiss, but lovingly! And it is offering yourself to God so that His grace may lovingly mend you!

And I discover more of who Christ is! I won't even begin to go into this—holy holy holy, my Beloved!! It is so easy for our conceptions of Christ to become horribly inadequate and plodding; so in hesychasm, the name of the Lord and His titles can and should be stripped of meager conceptions! These words become a cloud of unknowing through which to love the un-pin-down-able God!

The whole thing is unexpectedly a deeply loving and relational act, a practice of being held in love and giving in love, while stripping yourself of complacency so as to give and receive yet more. And it is such a lovely, gorgeous way to return your mind to God again and again, to be accepted back as the prodigal child again and again, to become transformed again and again, and to slowly learn to quiet and subdue that which is poisonous for your soul.

This is just my humble take. And all of these words are inadequate to express the truth. Again, I am deeply ignorant about all of this, so anyone who knows more about hesychasm, please comment and share what you know and useful resources for learning more! I just hope to inspire some people who might otherwise find this prayer off-putting or uninspiring.

Much love and many blessings to all of you! 🤍

Illustration from her book \"Scivias\"

I have read the writings of St Issac the Syrian and Meister Echkart and I can firmly say that they both are very underrated.

Truly in our day to day life activities we forgot/ignored the timeless wisdom these people shared. Their writings become more meaningful to one who is going through rough patch in life. They both described that deepest transformation takes place precisely where ego feels most defeated, where worldly consolations disappear, and where a person is forced to seek God for His own sake rather than for what He gives.

Their words become deeper as one's own life becomes deeper. The more one experiences suffering, loss, silence, solitude, the more these writings begin to reveal meanings that were invisible before.

What's remarkable is they both came to same conclusion - True wisdom is gazing at God. Gazing at God is silence of the thoughts.

I have read John of cross's Dark night of the soul as well as Teresa of Avila's Way of perfection.

Please suggest me more like these. I am looking for more writers who speak with this same depth, not merely about religion or morality.

Hello everyone,

I have been deeply exploring the history of Christian Mystics in India, particularly the legacy of Sadhu Sundar Singh and the Christukula Ashram in Tirupattur (Tamil Nadu).

I feel a profound calling to bring the rich, relational background of Indian Christian mysticism to the West.

The traditional European church landscape often feels dry, overly rational, and institutionally frozen.

I believe that the Indian Bhakti tradition – the deep, loving, and heart-centered devotion to Jesus – could be a powerful remedy to help Western seekers rediscover a living relationship with Him.

However, in my own spiritual journey, I have realized a critical boundary: true Christian mysticism must remain strictly person-centered. We must encounter the historical and resurrected person of Jesus Christ as our Sadguru (the true spiritual guide) in a direct I-and-Thou relationship.

I see a danger in modern spiritualities that dissolve the self into a vague, impersonal "Christ-consciousness" or induce uncontrolled trance states through hours of chanting. For some minds, this boundless merging can lead to cognitive overload, dissociation, or a sense of losing one's grip on reality.

In my vision for a community, I want to use the "Indian cup" (like the simple, grounded lifestyle of the Ashram, sitting barefoot, and brief, time-limited Bhajans of 10-15 minutes to prevent trance) to offer the "Water of Life" – but with a strict focus on the Person of Jesus, which anchors our minds and protects our psychological stability.

I often feel very isolated with these systematic thoughts, as traditional churches find this scope hard to understand.

Does anyone here share a love for the Indian Christian Mystic tradition?

How do you balance the deep desire for mystical closeness with the necessity of staying anchored in a personal relationship with Christ?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

(The post was created with the help of AI)

I want to comprehend our Lords love more, and to know the path with him more and in unity with him, to love him more, and living with him, being transformed by him, please give me recommendations Godbless you

In my prayer not long ago, I asked Jesus in my mind... Are you a memory, collective unconscious, a thought... Something along those lines. And he said to me - No, I am a promise. And he smiled.

It sounds cheesy and it might not be real at all, but for a time I was left with some happy feeling, hope and love... The honest one, not forced. It was nothing spectacular or grand... Just a very beautiful moment in a simple everyday prayer. Perhaps a reminder to myself to hold on to what is important. Treasure in an empty field.

Just wanted to share

My experiences don’t matter but I’m currently experiencing bridal mysticism and in the illumination phase. I’m coming to the realization that everything I’m experiencing is just my own human desire to be loved a certain way and God does not actually love that way. My research tells me that one day all visions and consolations eventually stop and there is peace but it’s hard to navigate the realization that my “intimacy” with Him has basically been a lie so has anyone gone through this and what were you like when he was done? I feel like I’m not going to have any desires or will to do anything anymore.

https://preview.redd.it/tov3p0xlmkjh1.png?width=717&format=png&auto=webp&s=d5b26c1817a319f100db8f4d83bbf31c538a7f7c

Diary of Saint Faustina - paragraph 686 - Participation and Intercession

Ἀ
September. First Friday. In the evening, I saw the Mother of God, with Her breast bared and pierced with a sword. She was shedding bitter tears and shielding us against God's terrible punishment. God wants to inflict terrible punishment on us, but He cannot because the Mother of God is shielding us. Horrible fear seized my soul. I kept praying incessantly for Poland, for my dear Poland, which is so lacking in gratitude for the Mother of God. If it were not for the Mother of God, all our efforts would be of little use. I intensified my prayers and sacrifices for our dear native land, but I see that I am a drop before the wave of evil. How can a drop stop a wave? O yes! A drop is nothing of itself, but with You, Jesus, I shall stand up bravely to the whole wave of evil and even to the whole of hell. Your omnipotence can do all things.
Ὠ

Union with God is given in the receiving of mercy through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet the soul's continued and growing union desires that the grace it has received be poured out ever more upon all souls - upon the whole world. This is the desire of Mary, seeking to shield souls from the just judgment of God, and that of Faustina's incessant prayers of mercy for her beloved Poland. It is the will of the Savior Himself, dwelling within the soul by grace, Who moves the heart to desire that every receiver of mercy become a participant in its spread. In the Diary, this participation is shown by the Faustinian prayer: “have mercy on us and all the whole world.” At Pentecost, it is shown by Mary and the brethren, persevering together in one mind in prayer as they awaited the promised Holy Spirit. Yet the human pleading for our Lord's presence and mercy on others is more ancient than both of these examples combined.

Douay Rheims Challoner Bible
Psalm 105:23 And he said that he would destroy them: had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach: to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

The ways of the Lord are mysterious to men. Yet their slow unveiling through the ages is a guiding revelation into those ways. In both Scripture and the Diary, a mystery is revealed between the foreknowledge of God and His justice and mercy in all things. For throughout Scripture He has often begun by announcing His righteous judgment against sin, only to reveal the triumph of His mercy through the prayers and intercessions of other sinners. It begs the question: why does the Lord begin in righteous judgment, what He already foreknows He will end through pleas of mercy from those also stained in sin? 

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible 
Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways!

A soul that stands judged will always plead mercy for itself. Yet, the mercy it receives from He Who dies in mercy for all souls will always surpass its sin. Thus, as judgment begets the begging of mercy, and the outpouring of mercy becomes greater than the offense, the measure of mercy in the world abounds. It exceeds the measure of sin and draws the sinner beyond concern for his own salvation into humble participation in Christ's work of redeeming the world.

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible 
Romans 5:20 Where sin abounded, grace did more abound.

As the life of the Savior exceeded His death on the Cross, so shall the grace that was released in His offering always exceed each soul's death in sin. Thus the Lord bestows upon souls an abundance of grace - not merely for their own sanctification, but that His mercy might overflow through them to others. It is not given merely to be kept, as though mercy were bestowed only for one's own future need. It is given to be released, as in the incessant, and intercessory prayers of Faustina, our Apostle of Divine Mercy - to draw all souls into humble participation with the work of the Savior Himself.

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible
First Timothy 2:1 I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
2635 Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father in behalf of all men... In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in Christ's, as an expression of the communion of saints.

Hi all!

Well , absolutely what the title says, I’m looking for a spiritual director with the following background:

1. Trained in the Carmelite spirituality - either clergy or lay person

2. Catholic

3. Can help discern some things particularly regarding saints, prophetic dreams/iconography

NB: I’m fully aware of the Church’s teaching on private revelation, and am submitted to the Church’s guidance. I have sought counsel from my priests and spiritual directors, and after much counsel and prayer have decided to prayerfully look for a spiritual director under the very specific circumstances.

Open to wherever the director might be based!

And please do keep me in your prayers :)

Thanks!

I am struggling to understand Thomas Merton's letter to Dom Francis Decroix of August 21, 1967, (Essential Writings by Christine Bochen) in which he says in part:

> "The contemplative has nothing to tell you except to reassure you that if you dare to penetrate your own silence and risk the sharing of that solitude with the lonely other who seeks God Through you, then you will truly recover the light and the capacity to understand what is beyond words and beyond explanations because it is too close to be explained: it is the inmate
union in the depths of your own hear, of God's spirit and your own secret inmost self, so that you and He are in all truth One Spirit."

Specifically, I am thinking what is meant by "the lonely other"?Is it any other searching person, a person you are in relationship with that you may influence, or the innermost self?
Does person mean another person of the wandering and lonely deeper self? Or in
duality rather than separateness?

Thoughts?