What is a Mystic?

A google search of the word mysticism will yield definitions of spiritual practices, ecstacies, altered states of consciousness, and certain rites of spiritual practice. These definitions fail to realize the scope and depth of what the mystic does and what their function is in the larger society. This paper aims to examine the role of a mystic, arguing that the individualistic, non-denominational, and sometimes antinomian (transcending the conventions and norms of society) practices of the mystic are instrumental in deepening the understanding of spirituality and religion in mainstream society; the mystic is not merely someone who chooses individualistic spiritual approach over mainstream religious practice, or a disenchanted spiritualist; the mystical path is somewhat dependant and related to the mainstream path of practice. The mystical is a path of life that involves many hardships and may even be life-threatening (some mystics have been killed for their run-ins with religious authorities), but it is one that leads to a richer understanding of spirituality and, in turn, enriches the spiritual knowledge of those who are involved with the mystic or their teachings.

Mystics are not afraid to cross boundaries. Mystics often transcend the limits of their home faith, leading to an almost non-denominational or non-ideological perspective of faith. They mix and match, discard and assimilate, learning from all the spiritual practices that they come across. A clear example of this lies in the American transcendentalism movement, where a blend of Christian mysticism and eastern…