English
Log In Sign Up
5 min read
By Cara Hebert |
February 6, 2020 |
- Transformation ,
- Spirituality ,
- Esoteric Spiritual Traditions
Have you ever wondered, “Am I a mystic?” Chances are probably not. Mysticism holds a very loose definition, which can often be complicated, confusing, and nearly impossible to express with mere words. In Mysticism, direct knowledge of spiritual truth or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience.
Ultimate reality is something that is supreme, final, and the fundamental power in all reality. Unlike Christianity, Islam or Judaism, Mysticism is not rooted in faith, principle, dogma, or even belief. This is because you do not “believe” in Mysticism. Instead, Mystics are born.
For Mystics, the world is expansive and magical yet also intricately and undoubtedly connected. Mystics must possess a certain frame of mind, or ways of honing psychic ability, when viewing the world and have an understanding temperament. For example, while some believe impulses to be random and instinctual,
Mystics see the divine intervention behind the impulse. Free will does not exist. Instead, there is a greater fundamental power that moves every action and decision toward the accomplishment of a greater plan.
Because of this natural understanding of the Universe in everything, Mystics feel a need to serve others in order to help guide them through obstacles and critical life decisions. Their ability for intuition and connection is unique and is derived from within. Not everyone can be a mystic, it is not something that can be learned or taught, therefore those who realize their innate abilities have the responsibility to help those without.
So if there’s no clear definition or outlined boundaries, how can you answer “Am I a Mystic?” Read the following 10 subtle signs and by the end, you may know your answer.
1. You value experiences above all else
Mystics tend to steer clear of strict doctrines and principles. Because of their innate intuition, they have a high level of trust in their own morality and inner self. While they are driven to connect with the ultimate reality, they feel it must be on a deeply personal basis that can only be achieved through their own experiences. Mystics still turn to others for perspective and opinions, however, these will not be their main and only source of truth.
2. You question existence
Why am I here? Why are we all here? These are common questions that haunt a Mystics mind. While Mystics have the ability to see the connected strings behind every action, it does not mean that they are able to fully comprehend how the universe works and why. Because of their heightened senses, Mystics have a natural curiosity about the physical and spiritual world.
3. You are comfortable with uncertainty
Mystics understand that there is a plan behind Every Action In The Universe, and therefore trust that every action has purpose, even if they don’t know what the next moment will bring. Mystics also trust in themselves and their connection to the universe that they will be able to interpret any signs and act accordingly. While they are still naturally curious, Mystics have no driving desire to force their future.
4. You value intuition
Mystics rely on knowledge, language, and physical senses the same as others do. However, their intuitive perceptions offer a deeper form of insight. Mystics trust in their own intuition and value similar intuitive traits in others.
5. You are uncomfortable with spiritual hierarchies
Tenuous rituals or traditions have no place in the world of spirituality for Mystics. They do not believe that there is only one path or correct way to experience divinity. While not everyone can experience the ultimate reality, Mystics understand that every person has a unique and impenetrable perception of life, and therefore the ability to experience a unique divinity to some extent.
6. You have your own set of rules
Mystics feel a connection to every living thing and therefore are able to look beyond what may be socially accepted. Mystics have an innate trust in their own morality and intuition and are guided by their experience, rather than leaders or society. This can often make them spiritual or even political rebels.
7. You value internal growth
To Mystics, rituals and traditions are meant to trigger internal insight and transformation, not to appease a higher power. This is another reason why Mystics often feel uncomfortable with structured religions. Mystics feel that personal growth toward the universe’s ultimate plan must come from within. It cannot be dictated or ordered. Mystics feel a responsibility to help others to find their way, however, they cannot tell them what is right and wrong.
8. You believe you are a conduit for power, not the source
Mystics possess an understanding that every living thing must come and go and that in the grand scheme, they are simply one wave in an ocean. Because of their connection with everyone and everything, Mystics are often humble and more concerned with understanding and emotion than with power. They see their insights into the universe as a borrowed gift – bestowed upon them by something greater, but ultimately temporary.
9. You believe love is the source of life
Similar to No. 8, Mystics believe that love powers everything. The people and experiences that we love in our own lives are merely a small reflection of a larger, all-encompassing love. Love is not something that originates in you, rather it is something that flows through you and every other being.
10. You don’t know everything
And you don’t think you know everything. Mystics acknowledge that the universe is infinite and mysterious and is far too complex for the human mind to fully comprehend. They don’t know everything and they know they don’t know everything. Mystics enjoy reaching out, learning new things and hearing new perspectives. They trust in the universe’s plan and see their journey as one of understanding, not preaching.
About the Author
Cara Hebert is a writer who received her BFA from Boston University. An avid traveller and citizen of nowhere and everywhere, Cara has lived all over the world including North Carolina, London, Massachusetts, Maine, Georgia, Illinois, and Connecticut. She began her career working at a newspaper and has since transitioned into the freelance market. Having been raised by a vegetarian mother who despised sugar and GMOs, Cara has always been interested in sharing the knowledge of healthy living. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her hanging out with her three dogs.
Read More
Next Article
How to Hold a Smudging Ceremony
5 min read
By Personal de Gaia |
September 22, 2020 |
- Transformation ,
- Spirituality ,
- Esoteric Spiritual Traditions
A smudging ceremony is the ritual of burning plant resins and herbs in a shell or a clay bowl while intentions and prayers are called forth. For centuries, Native Americanand Indigenous cultures have practiced smudging rituals to clear away negative energy, to invite in peace and harmony for individuals or environments. The smoke from the herbs and the plant resins are fanned using a feather or a hand and directed like a “cleansing smoke bath” surrounding the person or the space.
The purpose of this cleansing ritual is to clear away anxieties, sadness, impurities, dark thoughts or unwanted energies that may have attached themselves to a space or an individual.
Smudging is most often performed before or as part of a ceremony to clear the environment and the people from certain thoughts or feelings that will not serve the highest good in themselves. For this reason, it is important to set a clear intention while smudging.
As the smudging ceremony is practiced, the smoke rises and so do the prayers to mother earth, father sky, to the sun and the moon, to the plants, the animals and the water. The burning of the sacred plants- sage, cedar, sweetgrass and palo santo- to name a few, support the connection to the sacred realms between the earth and spirit. Through this connect to spirit the smoke bath lifts negative feelings and energy and creates an opening for prayers and intentions to be heard, therefore bringing positive intention into practice.
Read Article
Discover Gaia.
The video streaming platform exploring Spirituality, and Esoteric Spiritual Traditions
Free Trial
Related Articles
More In Spirituality
Body. Mind. Spirit.
Every decision we make is inspired by our vision to empower a community of individuals to come together to build a more conscious world.
Our unique blend of yoga, meditation, personal transformation, and alternative healing content is designed for those seeking to not just enhance their physical, spiritual, and intellectual capabilities, but to fuse them in the knowledge that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts.
Start Your Trial
Watch On Any Device
Use the same account and membership for TV, desktop, and all mobile devices. Plus you can download videos to your device to watch offline later.
Discover what Gaia has to offer.
Get instant access to free videos, helpful articles, and exclusive offers.
Testing message will be here
✕
Log In
Forgot Password
Link Sent!
At Gaia, Inc., we care about your privacy, and we want to be totally upfront about how we handle your information at Gaia.
COOKIES
We use cookies. Unless you adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, we (and these third parties) will issue cookies when you interact with Gaia. These may be ‘session’ cookies, meaning they delete themselves when you leave Gaia, or ‘persistent’ cookies which do not delete themselves and help us recognize you when you return so we can provide a tailored service.
You can block cookies by activating a setting on your browser allowing you to refuse the setting of cookies. You can also delete cookies through your browser settings. If you use your browser settings to disable, reject, or block cookies (including essential cookies), certain parts of our website or app will not function fully. In some cases, our website or app may not be accessible at all.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Gaia only uses and collects sensitive personal information for the purposes allowed by law or with your consent.
We do not sell or provide email addresses to any unauthorized third party and do not authorize any third party or affiliate to misuse products or services created by or associated with Gaia in spam or bulk emails. If you feel you have received any unwanted emails from us, please contact us immediately and we will look into the matter.
If you have a question regarding our privacy practices, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
We use cookies and similar technologies to run this website and help us make recommendations for you. See our Privacy Policy here.
