When it comes to the recognition and honoring of mysticism, there is often an overcorrection in favor of "indigenous" spirituality because of colonialism. In the United States, it's certainly true that Native mysticism has often been mocked, vilified, outlawed, misunderstood, and ignored, but it's also true that European Americans descend from equally beautiful mystic traditions. To paraphrase Walt Whitman, every human culture contains multitudes of mysticism. And one of the great ironies and tragedies is that a mystic person can oppress the mystics of other cultures. But, throughout American history, it's also true that certain Jesuits have wonderfully blended their mysticism with Native American mysticism. One of the jokes I tell about a Jesuit friend, and that many other Indians tell about him, is that he's a better Indian than any of us. And, sometimes, we tell this joke in rooms filled with white Catholics where we might feel otherwise uncomfortable. I'm an atheist but I'm also a poet. I believe in the power and beauty of spiritual metaphors but I'm very suspicious of literalism. Can one be a secular mystic?
I love this! Thanks. You're reminding me of a long-neglected desire to learn about my ancestors' mysticism, particularly Celtic traditions. I've recently found it shocking how little I know about my family and how much work there is to do to trace backwards. I agree about it being easy to romanticize non-White spirituality as superior, in part because it feels better to glorify someone else's traditions than to grapple with the legacy of my own...
Yes to secular mystics! I'm reminded of the blind men and the elephant metaphor again, where all religions are just different vehicles for connecting with the same truth. A lot to explore here! I'm grateful for this discourse
That's beautiful! Thanks Jay
When it comes to the recognition and honoring of mysticism, there is often an overcorrection in favor of "indigenous" spirituality because of colonialism. In the United States, it's certainly true that Native mysticism has often been mocked, vilified, outlawed, misunderstood, and ignored, but it's also true that European Americans descend from equally beautiful mystic traditions. To paraphrase Walt Whitman, every human culture contains multitudes of mysticism. And one of the great ironies and tragedies is that a mystic person can oppress the mystics of other cultures. But, throughout American history, it's also true that certain Jesuits have wonderfully blended their mysticism with Native American mysticism. One of the jokes I tell about a Jesuit friend, and that many other Indians tell about him, is that he's a better Indian than any of us. And, sometimes, we tell this joke in rooms filled with white Catholics where we might feel otherwise uncomfortable. I'm an atheist but I'm also a poet. I believe in the power and beauty of spiritual metaphors but I'm very suspicious of literalism. Can one be a secular mystic?
I love this! Thanks. You're reminding me of a long-neglected desire to learn about my ancestors' mysticism, particularly Celtic traditions. I've recently found it shocking how little I know about my family and how much work there is to do to trace backwards. I agree about it being easy to romanticize non-White spirituality as superior, in part because it feels better to glorify someone else's traditions than to grapple with the legacy of my own...
Yes to secular mystics! I'm reminded of the blind men and the elephant metaphor again, where all religions are just different vehicles for connecting with the same truth. A lot to explore here! I'm grateful for this discourse
Thank you!