Understanding the Mystical Perspective

There are differing views on mysticism. It has been studied that there are seven themes of mysticism present in all the religions of the world, from Roman and Protestant Christianity to Buddhist and other Eastern religions. It is a commonly held belief that views on mysticism depend on the person experiencing it. Generally, views on mysticism are divided into two theories of Divine Reality termed emanation and immanence.

Mystics who follow the theory of emanation see all things in world and universe as coming from God. On the other hand, all things are immersed in God in the view of mystics who follow the immanence theory.

Mysticism is largely thought of as a religious experience, although it is not necessary to connect with a divine being in order to have a mystical experience. For the followers of monistic mysticism, a connection and identity is sought with the universe. This perspective is seen in Taoism and in the Upanishads of India. Theistic mysticism, on the other hand, seeks unity with God and is the perspective held by followers of Christianity, Judaism and the Sufi sect of Islam.

Anothe mystical perspective focuses on being one, not with the God or with a universal principle, but with nature. Termed non- religious mysticism, this mystical perspective focuses on experiencing mystical experiences through and from nature. The goal of followers of nonreligious mystics is to erase al boundaries in order to achieve perfect unity with Nature. This is the mystical perspective of the followers of the Goddess religion and neo-pagan withcraft.

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