Everyday Mysticism

Richard Rohr says that anyone who has had a direct experience of God is a mystic. And so you might say, “well, that’s not me.” This series is meant to change your mind, to open for you the channels of communication, which are unique to each one of us, through which God reaches out.

Each of us has a way in which we perceive God. We can call it our “God language”. God constantly does reach out for us, longing for relationship. It is our job to train ourselves to listen.

To this end we offer here a series of sessions on mystics that are dear to the person sharing their life. Many are people you may not think of as mystics. We offer a brief foray into the life of the mystic, and participants have an opportunity to share their own responses. At the end of the hour we are given a practice to engage in during the week.

session one: hildegard of bingen with elaine hild

The “God language” we are being asked to try out is listening for: “What is radiating out from God deep within you?” or “What is radiating to you?” or even “What are the colors of your inner stained glass window?” Have at it and tell us (Communications@StPauls-fc.org) what you learn. Responses will be posted here.

Session Two: Socrates with Florian Hild

We didn’t specify a practice to try out this week. But spending some moments appreciating beauty, especially if these moments are not settling and peaceful but rather make you “itchy”. Our souls are trying to fly again in such moments. We get unsettled and itchy around the places where our wings should be. Experiencing these moments of beauty makes you seem “mad” to other people. At any rate, spend some time immersed in beauty.