Philosophy of Mysticism - Are Mystical Experiences True and Can Gnosis be Trusted?

Mystical experiences are perhaps the fundamental datum of the world's religions though just how trustworthy are they? In this episode I explore the philosophical issues of mystical experiences and the content of the revelations said to had through them. How much can philosophy tell us about the world of the mystical?
#mysticism #philosophy #gnosis
Recommended Readings:
Jones - Philosophy of Mysticism - 978-1438461182
James - The Varieties of Religious Experience - 978-1644391655
Stace - Mysticism and Philosophy - 978-0874774160
Steinbock - Phenomenology and Mysticism - 978-0253221810
Otto - The Idea of the Holy - 978-1979430784

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

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[@daltsu3498]

I loved the video thanks for giving some pushback! I'm new to these sorts of ideas and so far all I get is agreement 😅

[@BigBunnyLove]

I will certainly support your work on Pateron, excellent content. Thank you.

[@Invisibility397]

My videos show something that was done by me? Time is an illusion that is a concept that exists within an abstract concept eternity. Space exists inside the infinitel. Use logic only for the Quantum

[@IvanPozoIllas]

Hello Dr. Sledge, thank you for the education and exopsure of the content to your Esoterica. In a shameless manner if I may be permitted. I consider myself a modern Mystic. I have 27+ years of Inspirational psychic automatic writing under my belt. Of the "Jewels of Truth " series. I channel in writing spiritual wisdom, metaphysics, and mysticism. My blog site of "Atrayo's Oracle" 17+ yrs. Online has additional topic or statement rich environment. I don't channel by chapters, but by topic on interest. I predominantly channel the Heavenly host of the Angels, some lesser dieties, fairies, and even God on rare occasions. The content arrives telepathically akin to gentle whispers word by word or phrases. I enter into an altered state of mind and feel emotionally for the content. I compartmentalize my intellect off to the side so as to not jeopardize the transmission. I have 3 volumes in paperback and ebook of the Jewels of Truth Series. However, my blog site of Atrayo's Oracle has more recent channelings free for purvey. Thank you again for your teachings I find them enlightening.

[@jamesworley9888]

Truth without Spirit is MEANINGLESS and this channel is a disgrace to the more esoteric truths, it isn't fit to be called esoterica at all!!! This video wasn't about mystic beliefs whatsoever, it was nonsensical rambling back and forth about names of philosophies and how they supposedly disagree, complete and utter unintelligible BS!!!!!

[@A.G.130]

When I was a teenager I would have done everything to have free and easy access to content like these. Your work and the one of all your colleagues are the ones that really make the time we live worth living.

[@DarkMoonDroid]

Same.

[@beyondtheshadowsco]

Yep! though MSN chat working out the meaning of existence in 97 was still a right of passage with your goth friends ;)

[@eve1ynmargaret]

as a teenager this is my most watched yt channel

[@BlissfulBombshells]

💫🖤💜DITTO💜🖤💫

[@BlissfulBombshells]

@@eve1ynmargaret You are Truly Blessed!!! I can only imagine my life were I to BE GRANTED such Knowledges & Wisdom!!!💜🖤💫

[@SeekersofUnity]

Thank you for Justin for sharing your serious thinking on this subject and for pointing out the ridiculousness of the dismissal of the subject for serous consideration by so many. Your work is critical in creating the opportunity for thinking people to re-approach "the arcane side of history, philosophy, and religion." Thank you for seriously raising the of level of the discussion, (even if we disagree on some finer points ;).

[@Moondick77]

*eye shift from left to right* what ever.... I love you so much

[@mediocrates3416]

Second!

[@adamfager1023]

Immediate fundamental truths about reality are rad to the max - 26:49 Welcome to compromising your core values time. - 33:24 Everyone talks about your knowledge and wisdom I want to thank you also for your humor! 😂 I love your channel!!

[@josie_posie808]

This was the episode I needed to move forward with deciding how to research and write about mysticism with integrity and credibility. Thanks for pointing me toward phenomenologic studies. Totally indebted 🙏

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep, I do try my best to always mention another approach especially when it differs from my own. I also do my best to present as many sides of a debate as I can. It's important that the channel teach that debate and not my opinion as much as possible.

[@jessicaclakley3691]

Much luck in your educational endeavors!!

[@ArachneAnathema]

Thanks for linking me to this video, Dr. Sledge. I knew you had already covered this but could not find it. And, clearly, I should spend much more time in the library.

[@jared3370]

"Philosophy means everyone's a target" I love that statement

[@jeranmiller]

I really appreciate this video. As a somewhat “mystically inclined” person with a background in philosophy, I used to rack my head trying to overcome skeptical arguments regarding mystical insight. I yearned for Ultimate Truth, but found I had to settle for just belief with the acceptance that I could be wrong. I won’t lie: it felt a bit like selling out or giving up. So seeing someone else tread that same path of thought and reach some of the same conclusions was reassuring.

[@jamesworley9888]

Truth without Spirit is MEANINGLESS and this channel is a disgrace to the more esoteric truths, it isn't fit to be called esoterica at all!!! This video wasn't about mystic beliefs whatsoever, it was nonsensical rambling back and forth about names of philosophies and how they supposedly disagree, complete and utter unintelligible BS!!!!! And you where dumb enough to believe it.

[@zenpig6605]

Great video. I am reminded of an old Zen saying: "Those who Say do not Know, and those who Know do not Say", which for me fits with the fleeting experience of Kenshō, which is a glimpse into the "suchness" of life. I love the word Suchness, because it does not bring up any social conditioned idea of what this suchness points to, or means. So in my limited experience from sitting for years, I would never attempt to explain, or discuss my personal moments because it is pointless. much like the old metaphor of a fish who has looked for this thing called "water" and never finding it, and being unable to tell the fish who is searching that the water is and has always been all around him/her. a very funny thing.

[@milascave2]

Cool. I, however, tend to be very suspicious of abstract nouns, both outside of and inside of Buddhism. Generally, I have learned that they are shorthand for something more concrete. For example, Emptiness (Of fixed, permanent and unchanging nature.) The Unconditioned (by geed, hatred and, and delusion.) and so forth. Word that can not be defined by the people using them are, IMHO, not terrible useful, because they do not point us in any particular direction nor guides to towards any specific actions. However, I, too, have found myself overwhelmed by the "Success" of life. To me, it refers to a some vague wonder that I can not put into words. A word that points to the fact that reality can not really be put into words is not useless.

[@zenpig6605]

@@milascave2 "IMHO, not terribly useful, because they do not point us in any particular direction nor guide us towards any specific actions."...... well said, but I am wondering, how does "pointing us in any particular direction, or guiding towards any specific actions" result in anything other than what is here right now as you read this? Does the fish who is searching for this thing called "water" ever find it,?, or has water always been right there with the fish, and so intimate with him/her that they could never perceive it (water), without looking for it?

[@joejohnson6327]

@@zenpig6605 Why do people think I'm weird when I say I think we don't know shit & I'm fine with not truly understanding anything, pig?

[@junk_DNA]

I’ve been watching your channel for a few weeks now, and I’m just struck by your brilliance and generosity. This is basically what I’d imagine a graduate-level philosophy lecture sounds like, and you’ve given it to us on youtube for free. I’ve been perpetually drawn to ancient mysticism and religious history and this channel has opened up a whole new world for me. I’ve learned such an absurd amount in the last few weeks that the word “gnosis” feels personal now😂. Just wanted to give a sincere thanks and express how impressive your knowledge, insight, and communication are. ✌🏼

[@drangelapuca]

What a fantastic episode, Justin! I truly enjoyed it. As a fellow scholar located in between Philosophy and Religious Studies, I totally agree that we need more philosophical investigations of religious experiences. Luckily, the online space has you to mend that wound! ;-)

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Thanks, Angela. That means a lot coming from you, especially given that we both share philosophy backgrounds. I've always found it a pity that philosophy and religion have become so siloed in recent centuries, much - I think - to each other discipline's loss. Hope you are well, my friend!

[@drangelapuca]

@@TheEsotericaChannel I am, thanks for asking! We should have a catch-up chat soon. 🖤

[@AdrienneLaVey]

I could listen to you talking on these matters all day. I find it absolutely fascinating and you cover it so extensively and so very well. Keep doing what you do. My heart fluttered when you mentioned the Mayans (somewhat related to my Aztec ancestry) in your introduction, as those mystics are very rarely discussed.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I'll actually be doing an episode soon on Maya bloodletting mysticism that actually serves as the glyph for the channel. I have such an immense respect for those cultures - I even worked to learn to read Maya glyphs a few years ago - and their classical and contemporary mystical traditions are profoundly compelling.

[@AdrienneLaVey]

@@TheEsotericaChannel I knew I recognized that glyph! I really look forward to that discussion! 😍

[@charlesdickens3572]

Hi, I'm Gnew here. I Found this to be a particularly sophisticated disquisition on the intersection of mysticism and philosophy. Coincidentally, or perhaps synchronistically, I'm currently under the vapours of PCP (the 3-ho varietal) and I thought the glyph for your channel was a hand choking a chicken and was quite befitting.

[@dpc3324]

@@charlesdickens3572 Has your experience with dissociatives lent to more mystical experiences than say a tryptamine psychedelic? Curious as I’ve haven’t explored dissociatives too much

[@charlesdickens3572]

@@dpc3324 Hard to say. Everything is dose and ROA dependent. Roughly speaking, at large dosages they are similar: Hold tight, lap bars down, and keep your hands inside the ride. Be ready to subjectively experience what is happening to you and like McKenna said, 'Try not to give in to death by astonishment'... However, at low/microdose levels both lend themselves to insights. Tryptamines at a low and consistent dosage over a period of time open your heart to insight. Whereas similarly prescribed, dissociatoves open up your analytical mind if that makes sense. Tryptamines amplify your intuition. Dissociatives amplify your cognition.

[@TheFrugalMombot]

It was after I had my own mystical experience that I even found your channel and I’m so thankful for your teachings. I’m still trying to understand it, but this has helped so much. I was raised in a very devout southern baptist family in the heart of the Bible Belt. I’ve always had questions about consistencies and the history of scripture as well as those that compiled the texts and chose what to include in it, etc. I’m still trying to make sense of it, but it’s a process.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Good on you - that's a long road to hoe. I'm also from the South and can feel that struggle. Wishing you the best on your journey.

[@TheFrugalMombot]

@@TheEsotericaChannel thank you. It has been very difficult and feels a bit like I’m grieving, but more like a death of one thing to the birth of something new. You’ve managed to hide any hint of southern accent, which I wish I could do. lol

[@TheFrugalMombot]

@@TheEsotericaChannel where in the south if you don’t mind. My sister graduated college with someone with the last name of Sledge. Probably no relationship, but always thought it was a cool last name.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@TheFrugalMombot Originally from Mississippi but haven't lived there in years.

[@frankamaya5796]

Drugs are bad

[@jeffd7976]

no, THIS is the most important discussion that needs to be had in modern mysticism... ive said that about a few of your videos. you are producing quality material.

[@traviswadezinn]

Very articulate statement of the challenges - also regarding mystical innovation; as mystics we need to accept that ours are temporal truths that play out within a dynamic and evolving collective consciousness; we are necessary and our sacrifices are meaningful, but with this should come a forced humility if our mysticism is truly grounded in wisdom.

[@theUglyGypsy]

I know I'm late to the boat, but this content is what I've been craving for many lives.

[@artemismoonbow2475]

19:30 - "Mystical interpretations simply don't interpret themselves." This is true. I've had multiple experiences in my life, typically during stressful experiences or stressful times that are prolonged, though they are random enough that I cannot predict that if I am stressed or that if I do some intense practice that they will occur. When they happen, I don't jump to conclusions about the experience. I just trust that it did happen and that what happened was profound. It can take years to fully integrate the experience into a worldview that guides my life. And yes, this usually involves looking for similar "messages" and philosophies that have similar grounding. And while I rarely tell others of the experience, oh I've learned my lessons on that, the results of my focus and ruminations upon the experience projects out to my communities and people are affected by them.

[@Vignanello555]

Without doubt the most foundational and therefore most significant presentation that you've uploaded, and that is saying a lot, given the scope and depth of knowledge which you impart on this channel. That the nation's major theological seminaries and divinity schools haven't recruited you from WSU's philosophy adjunct staff itself demonstrates why this "episode" and your entire project are so essential.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Thanks, and I'm pretty sure they don't know this channel even exists.

[@CrystalTwinStar]

As a Mystic, I believe the rationale and common sense is meant to be used to assess the person - NOT the experience. Look at the person themselves. What is their truck record for accuracy? What is their character? Their demeanor? The sensibility and moral compass? is their behavior is n alignment with their words? Do they seem lucid, coherent and genuine? I believe the more grounded and rational a person is, the more credence they have when recounting their experiences. Thank you for this awesome video! Blessings 😊💝🙏✨

[@kaylajaffer7202]

I just have to say, your channel is so refreshing! Definitely became one of my top 3 favourite channels within only a few days of watching. I also wanted I tell you that your channel has the best intro ever! I just love all of the curiosities and the absinthe louche!! And Thank you- your work is a wealth of information!

[@MrDbruceh]

Your scholarship and approach is the best I've seen on KZbin so far; a true gift to the field. your work is much appreciated. You've filled in so many of the gaps that are out there.

[@danawright777]

My personal perspective is that ultimate reality shines through each person like light through a camera gel. Each person possesses a personal, unique gel tinctured by cultural conditioning, personal biases, traumas, experiences, et cetera. Thus, while it would seem impossible to evaluate mystical experiences, because it is impossible to evaluate these personal filters, I think it might be more useful to look at what mystics do with their experiences. Did his experience cause him to become violent? Start a cult? Did his experience cause him to become a humanitarian? Did he start a charitable organization? Did he become a hermit living on a mountain? In other words, while we cannot evaluate the experiences, we can evaluate the results on moral or humanitarian grounds, personal usefulness, et cetera.

[@jangozarzook9707]

This is probably my favorite video you have made so far. I really appreciate all the effort you put in!

[@ElinIngridHemsen]

As a mystics I I really appreciate your work and I come back many times in this channel. It as helped me to understand the mystics on much deeper way and had putted in more reasonable way. It’s easy to bee fooled by your own mind (the ego) when one has experienced mysticisms. Many takes it tooo much. And I love that this channel are more based facts as it is. And For the non- mystics so it’s more easy for me to explain how mysticisms works. Thank you so much! ❤

[@gavinshriamneon]

This has been my favourite video that you have made! thank you so much for your detailed exposition. In teaching Kabbalah for the last 30 years I have always tried to balance experiential and empirical ritual, with rational thought and verification, taken from the large array of mystical literature and living culture. Learning to describe mystical experiences with mystical languages such a Hebrew and Sanskrit has only helped my students get their mind around what they are going through and given them the ability to apply their new found knowledge into practical applications. Some students adapt to this process and some are either too rational or emotional to find that balance that allows them to alter their aperture of perspective as they have been enhanced by their visions and insights during divination. My journey as you mentioned was alienating and certainly as you put it conservative, though I never really looked at it that way, but certainly worth my efforts and seen in the quality of life I have been able to force from my mystically infused clarity that has allowed me to experience life from a more rounded perspective.

[@AnaiBendai]

Great video Doc! I can’t imagine getting this awesome content anywhere else. Thank you for your work and sharing.

[@VaxistheWindow]

I truly appreciate you describing the immediate dismissal of mystical experiences as delusion as being "pseudoscientific" because that's exactly what it is, and going through the mental health system after an mystical experience is truly traumatizing. Your videos have been a major breath of fresh air in terms of someone having a true scholarly perspective when it comes to these types of things.

[@iwasjustintrance]

What beautiful food for thought 😍 really appreciate your in depth, well thought out content, and clearly communicated content!

[@j.em.f1099]

"Credulity is a hell of a drug!" Great video, as always.

[@dzvedairemtsarmykt4085]

This is SO good. Also, can you do a video on Mesoamerican philosophy?

[@FrankMonday]

I can’t believe how much I enjoy this channel. Wish I found it twenty years ago!!

[@1amjapan]

Thank you, that was fascinating and incredibly helpful. Your generosity is much appreciated, subscribed!

[@HighCountryStudio]

Thank you. Excellent and personally relevant discussion I thoroughly enjoyed. I am just getting acquainted with your channel, but so far, so good!

[@victoriaolson8985]

Perfectly clear and insightful. Thank you, Dr S!

[@joshuafischlin4734]

Thank you for your great work Dr. Sledge! 🙏

[@TheModernHermeticist]

pffft... discounting pcp visions of mary

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGG2aol7opiVipY

[@adebleswordfish]

Same! Bro it was so weird literally walking with god on DMT and nobody would believe me if I spoke it, probably should continue writing about it, but I am more of a sociology/philosophy/psychology focused person rather than mysticism focused.... I believe writing about that stuff is more prudent and probably what god wanted to have me do in walking with him. You can imagine how that fucked with me😂😂 (Also don’t wanna lead an apophis death cult, so I don’t wanna talk about it😂😂😂)

[@adebleswordfish]

Although I do believe if there was a mystical method to be as consistent and as scientifically verifiable for the modern world it’d be a fat bowl of DMT for everyone with enough balls to inhale! I’m pretty sure we’d all be something of thelemites who will GM all the food to be extremely nutritious and such animals to be supremely cuddly and to make technology that would solve all of our issues by saying “fuck it, we basically are already gods! Let’s go balls deep! Let’s make heaven on earth and grow a pair, let’s make our lives so boring we want to simulate the life of a Roman legionare’s love story and whole life for us to play like a video game to play in just a night”

[@coryhofstede3104]

@@adebleswordfish I met Mary on ayahuasca..

[@adebleswordfish]

@@coryhofstede3104 I fully believe you. Don’t go starting a new religion unless it truly has divine influence, but ye good for you

[@richardblondet]

Hello Justin, thank you for your amazing work. I am so identified with your expression regarding that paradoxical state (26:12), as I have ended up when I've kept my cents of doubts for any of the many mystical practices I have tried out. And those cents, as well as the stance of some members of these groups, were the ones that consistently played mayor roles when deciding to quit pursuing these subjects. Now, after finding and getting to know some of the work of Carl Jung, I could understand the reason behind my fascination with some of these mystical stories. Because I couldn't disregard my personal experiences and affinities to the nature of the stories embedded in different Religions, the approach I ended up / I'm actively trying is some-what Existentialism, that interestingly goes along the lines of one your proposed solutions, relativism+mysticism, depending on the context I play it out. The way I'm playing it out (or try to) is I use the Model of the Psyche and the Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious presented by Carl Jung as frameworks and axioms; a mindful approach to experience of the events of inner and outer worlds as input, and inner thoughts, resurfaced ideas and actions as outputs. Using the aforementioned elements, some abstraction, and tons of imagination, I carve out meaning for my life from moment to moment with the purpose of personal improvement. Indeed, a systemic approach has been key to the matter. And I know it's all like, super-biased, but it ultimately alleviated my "meaning” (or lack of) problem. With all that said, I still can't assert the validity of my "religious experiences" to be true. And regardless of my interest in these subjects, still can't find trust on some gnostics group members yet, not with their “credulity” drug issues Anyways, thanks for your video, My regards from the DR

[@St0ckg0dl3ss]

Well done. I learned many ways to think about all these concepts. Your perception is well worth my time here. I look forward top hearing your thoughts and will go through the video library to catch what you already have dropped. Thanks.

[@wolvencreator8585]

I would looove to see an in-depth video on your research process, personal mystical inspirations over time that lead you to this point, and your journey through education. If you have already made a video like this then I need to hunt it down! Your solid grasp on mystical history and application, and your ability to clearly present, disect, and argue all of this information, is so inspiring! I'm grateful for your work. 🙏❤

[@grantdraus7449]

Dear Dr Sledge, To preface this comment, for whose length I must apologize, I'd like to note how thankful I am to your vast body of knowledge, your willingness to share it, and your wonderful patrons for enabling the whole process. While not the least bit spiritual or religious myself, your content gives me access to information I find deeply interesting about human cultures. I'm always happy to see that your comment sections are perpetually start with a combination of practitioners of whatever practice you are discussing, believers of one variety or another understanding their faith through different ones, and outside observers like me who just want to learn more about our collective past (and sometimes present). Most of all, I appreciate treatment of the matters you discuss, more specifically that you're always respectful and enthusiastic about the beliefs you show us, while simultaneously presenting each belief from a very third person perspective, if that makes sense. Your own content aside, most of the content surrounding the subjects you share information about is downright uninformative, and at times even obfuscational, to serve the agenda of followers of the particular religion in question. I absolutely do not expect you to read the whole thing, but if you do, I would really appreciate any philosophical or logical critiques you have for my positions, as I'm rather experienced in the field. The one sticking point I have is that I'm of the opinion that empiricism itself actually requires justification to be used to support anything. While Occam's razor certainly implies that our senses are, at least in some form, real and can be taken as true, they technically have no underlying self-evident justification. I believe that the data provided to our minds by our senses is not an axiomatically reliable source of Truth, but more a profoundly unique type of information: One which is fundamentally unprovable yet at the same time so likely that the acceptance of our senses as true manages to be palatable regardless. To put it another way, rejection of the senses, while logically rigorous, is only more logically rigorous than acceptance of the senses by an incredibly small degree. This small degree, when compared against the productivity gained by accepting the senses as trustworthy, is inconsequential enough to be unproblematic in day-to-day life. But if we are speaking philosophically, and we are holding ourselves without exception to full logical rigor, then our senses (nor any information obtained through their application) cannot in that technical... *Sense* be used as foundations for or components of further arguments or conclusions. Based on all the above, I don't believe I'm required to give spiritual experiences the same benefit of the doubt that I give to empirical experiences. I'm not wrongfully distinguishing one as valid and the other as invalid, based on personal preference. What I am doing is declaring both as *technically* non-rigorous when I'm attempting philosophy, yet within the scope of daily existence, provisionally treating empiricism as true, due to both the high likelihood and high utility of our senses being at least *largely* true. I don't think it's unfair to extend this kindness to empiricism alone, without extending it to mysticism as well. Human senses are rather effable, and remain consistent across most persons. Both of these qualities are rather less archetypical of mystical experiences. That being said, everything I've just written here is merely my truest, deepest feelings on the matter, and thus stand my common positions on the matters discussed. One of the core purposes of the lecture you composed, however, is to be as charitable as possible within the bounds of honesty and Truth to a position which we may not agree with. That is an exercise I'm not exceptionally practiced or skilled at. However, with your example of willingness to grant the ideas presented here that very kindness, I was able to understand something important about the exact framework through which I should explain mystical experiences. Were I not more open-minded in this particular way, I wouldn't have been able to access a component of understanding I now possess.

[@nansenmurray4696]

Wow, great lecture! Ive been checking out the channel and this might be my favorite yet. Reminded me of a philosophy of science i took in my undergrad.

[@yosefzee7605]

I was always wanting answers to these questions... looking forward to watching the rest of this.

[@DarkMoonDroid]

So good. And an excellent addition to your convo with "Seekers of Unity". When able, I'll make my response over there.

[@middleburyastrology]

The effort here is valiant. Resolving this polarity with rational thought structures to hold the irrational/subjective mystical experience only impels more creation through its contrast. A thought form container to hold such an understanding, seeking certainly of place to understand the mystical experience as if there is an angle by which truth is possible or clear, seems always to demand the irrational, the spirit of 'both', the basic polarity. Great work, very much enjoy you and supporting you.

[@christos_phe]

Love your channel brother ! Good job

[@drewcochran4197]

This is incredibly thought provoking. Thank you so much

[@timvictor8926]

I really appreciated your exploration of this! Thanks.

[@andrewwhite6]

As usual, nice work! Thanks.

[@lonapopoki1181]

🌺 a quick aloha/mahalo just for now. Inspiring ⚡ content

[@amattes1960]

This video is so dense with information that I'm going to have to listen to this 10 times to get one tenth of what you've just explained.

[@robertd.s.1723]

I enjoyed this. Very few people have taken the time to examine the actual historic record of the mystical as it relates to community leaders and influencers (shaman, priests, philosophers, musicians/artists, poiticians?, etc...). What is almost as interesting as the historical record itself is the idea, presented here as well, of mystical innovation. Not only is there no widely acknowledged doctrine for the mystic, there is no widely accepted doctrine, and depending on ones' location, no political acceptance for mystical practitioners as personal belief becomes ever more scrutinized and politicized in today's environment. To remove the mystical experience is to remove the immediacy and veracity of true religious experience. Sadly, this state of affairs is the norm rather than the exception. In any event, it's nice to hear somebody bringing attention to the conversation.

[@Dustooned]

So inspiring! Great video!

[@M0U53B41T]

this reminds me of the discussion in neuroscience about dreams in particular, and the research being done; trying for objectivity of an inner experience

[@MichaelMarko]

I have caught myself doing the mystic thing and FELT so deeply I understood the essence of things. Sometimes this produces poetry but never produced anything like real information except once. A daily deep meditation projects after a great trauma for me to where I felt I saw things fairly clearly and had achieved some lever of acceptance and I was compassionate and non judgmental. I remember talking to someone about my experience and he understood it to mean something Christian and I just let him have his thing. I didn’t feel a need to disabuse him. What did I know? And anyway he might have the same basic insight but just believe It was from good of Christ. I’ve had other experiences and have actively courted the mystical experience mostly my whole life. I learned to do art and music and i just consider this tendency to feel like the truth is just around the corner or a little to the left or right to be a cognitive style. It feels sometimes like building up a charge until it arcs across the gap. It’s an emotional experience which engenders this impression of knowing but like the dream in which you discover the meaning of life but upon awakening can’t describe anything valuable... unless you’re an artist! Then you can make art out of it which sometimes Can also give an impression of mysterious prescience or omniscience. I try not to take it too seriously even this it seems the most valuable thing.

[@sarahjensen2473]

Excellent explanation. I see it as a personal experience, and that it's my place to encourage others to seek their own truth, not to convince them of mine. My gnosis is not threatened by anyone's beliefs, even my own.😉

[@MichaelMarko]

@@sarahjensen2473thanks! And thanks for not noticing my typos!!

[@luisvargas1526]

@@MichaelMarko At one point or another, I felt like I was the only one to be able to see things different than all others or that which has been written. That through knowledge one is taken to a door that feels like no words are needed or can be used to explain what it is perceived or understood in one's self. It is a place where no words can be used, or are needed. Kind of a place where words are not enough. That is why I believe that mystical experiences are just a beautiful experience for the individual who has them and not to be used to impose personal ideas or concepts on others. But again, not every individual feels this way. I believe it has to do with that individual's influences, mental ideas, or concepts that affects the meaning of their Mystical experiences. My teacher/Guru said, that visions will appear according to our beliefs and they should not be taken to seriously because they are just another mental experience. To enjoy them, but not to become attached to them. To go beyond them. Lucky for me, my mystical experiences happened when I had not fully being mentally programmed (Had no strong inclinations towards my faith and was a novice) into any religious philosophy and did not fully connect them to my beliefs at those moments. Now, I am pleased, I never made those connections and feel a connection to all believers and none believers. I appreciate your thoughts.

[@sarahjensen2473]

@@newlin83 your reply is confusing to me. Could you give me an example of a philosophy or organized cosmology that didn’t originate from the experience of one person? My openness to people having different experiences and belief systems isn’t dismissal. I’m actually suggesting that believing something because someone else had an experience makes less sense than utilizing my own experience along with the available literature, art, and discussion of others’ experiences along with logic to understand what I am comfortable believing. I do believe that a purely intellectual approach to faith is incomplete, but that’s an opinion based on my own experience.

[@sarahjensen2473]

@@newlin83 🤣🤣🤣

[@paulelliott9487]

"At dawn my lover comes to me; And tells me of her dreams; With no attempts to shovel the glimpse; Into the ditch of what each one means" Bob Dylan

[@HamidRehman100794]

Amazing clarity of analysis on a very fuzzy and subjective.enterprise. I’m a fan.

[@Philusteen]

This is such a valuable piece.

[@joeroubidoux2783]

Very clear and cogent (and totally entertaining). Bravo 👏

[@AquariusGate]

Great work as always Justin. I can only offer thanks and appreciation as I am devoted to poverty. Mystical experience, as far as ive had it, os always revealed through the senses of an individual because it is often knowledge of how our senses are misused or how our interpretation of sensory information is clouded. My own gnosis are completely about our senses and nervous system. No-one speaks of 5 senses being variations of touch but it is indeniable, right down to molecules spinning up your nostrils offering you a scent. Photoreseptors absorbing all the photons reflected off every surface in your surroundings.

[@goddessofpraiel5650]

Ive had some mystical experiences and this has helped me process some of it. Thanks for this.

[@jamesworley9888]

Truth without Spirit is MEANINGLESS and this channel is a disgrace to the more esoteric truths, it isn't fit to be called esoterica at all!!! This video wasn't about mystic beliefs whatsoever, it was nonsensical rambling back and forth about names of philosophies and how they supposedly disagree, complete and utter unintelligible BS!!!!!

[@blixten2928]

Immediate fundamental truths about reality are rad to the max! Let us then continue, and continue, to consider our approaches to them. Properly, thoroughly. THANK YOU.

[@TheMysticPete]

Brilliant talk! More in this direction, please!!!

[@mysteriumxarxes]

Was led here by the 36 Sermons of Vivec. Amazing video, will be sharing with the lore community.

[@marcjordan6923]

Real world mysticism is way better than the Elder Scrolls

[@dussiasofficial]

I love your content! Please could you enable auto generated captions? The content is really dense and they help follow; plus, they're very accurate because you are accurate too :)

[@TheFrugalMombot]

This and it would allow my partner to watch. He reads lips too, but does best with subtitles.

[@gunkwretch3697]

The Sledge Hammer is breakin it down! - Cue Peter Gabriel theme music

[@pocketstring3634]

That should be his Kabbalist name. הפטיש

[@TheStarryNightLife]

I could watch many more videos on this question. Good stuff!

[@UPaDRIVWAY]

As a devoted Graham Harman reader, I appreciated your acknowledgement of thr Speculative Realists!

[@astrogypsy]

Had a busy day so missed the live stuff: bummer. Just wanted to say Thx Doc., for improving my brain vacations!

[@Tinkering4Time]

Man, Doctor Sledge with the SPICY takes. Bringing the philosophical hammer down.

[@dangelamarx80]

The difference between a “non mystic” and a mystic is Receiving vision. The difference between those that receive and those who don’t is... an open heart. I can never explain or justify what Ive seen to the degree that another person is satisfied enough to accept it. If everyone was meant to accept it, they probably would’ve experienced it first hand.

[@ozielangel5475]

I was also thinking about the principals of resistance when he started mentioning the arguments on the capabilities to experiences the mystic. I think taoism puts this specific concept in a great perspective.

[@ponscardinal2862]

Yes, you're correct.

[@mediocrates3416]

I think the autism/schizophrenia spectrum is as wide as it is because the informative mystical state requires it. I think the tendency toward a full gnostic experience is X-linked so, matrilineal inheritance of this tendency should be observable. ... given enough data. And a patrilineal inheritance tradition would mute this ability in that lineage.

[@ponscardinal2862]

Another difference between the two is that a mystic can see the common experience in two perspective simultaniously. What the day to day experience are both real and not real. When i say real means spiritual nature, nonreal means physical nature. Mystics can only give out clues (finger point). But to be able to see through the clues, one should gaze without their entire being. LoL. Ultimate reality is totally nonsense and illogical where eternity is its feature.

[@mediocrates3416]

@@ponscardinal2862 Perhaps by that the mystic is not stunned by the light. Seems most people are taken by the flash itself.

[@card1575]

I had a sober mystical experience, then my mom came to see if i was ok, long story short there was demons behind me and her while she told me to pray, i had lost my faith at the time. Afterwards we went to her bed and we satdown but it seemed like it was somebody else talking to me through her body. She told me it was my guardian angel. This is the end of the world,theres no space, we are one, except the evil people they are lost. Nobody can tell me what i experienced wasn't true. Thank you for educating me Dr.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Nope, they can't and I say as much on the episode.

[@steben3318]

'That ship sailed when you were waiting at the bus stop', just beautiful, I'm eagerly awaiting the day I can use that in real life. Thanks.

[@corticallarvae]

This was my favorite video so far.. those psycho social failures definitely need to be addressed, I would say rather quickly.

[@astrogypsy]

You are wearing out my dictionary tonight. lol.

[@TheFrugalMombot]

@Sloth910 sadly or sometimes hilariously it’s autogenerated, so it comes out with some doozies. My partner has a profound hearing loss. It’s so frustrating when creators don’t at least leave the option for auto generated, but in reality having someone do the subtitles professionally would help gain a greater audience. It would reach those with hearing issues, as well as auditory and language processing disorders. I used to own a transcription company until nafta insured I couldn’t compete with the fees companies in India were offering, so I closed my business, but I’d love to do this for content creators.

[@DarkMoonDroid]

@@TheFrugalMombot Roomy. 🤭

[@fairyprincess512]

Favorite channel omg love this content

[@antewaso8876]

what a brilliant analysis thank you

[@andythedishwasher1117]

lol yes, immediate fundamental truths about reality are indeed rad to the max. That's pretty much the exact reason LSD is so popular. I have spent the majority of my 20's experimentally and theoretically examining the problems raised in this video, and I have to say your background and academic discipline has really added some clarity to this topic for me. Thanks again, man.

[@drigrid]

I found this very interesting. I hope to be able to find funding to do research into esoteric ideas in electronic music, and in particular how certain occult groups influenced the early rave movement in the UK, and the literature you listed here should be interesting to me.

[@amyferrell509]

So fascinating! I hope you can teach a course or write a book on this. Wondering about the the role of Story. Logos through ruach yields life, and it seems that telling our mystical stories is our embodiment of the divine, whether as truths for ourselves or for others too. Would you be willing to share your own mystical stories? Or perhaps you have elsewhere? Thank you.

[@osvaldoolmeda3773]

Great video!!!

[@macavelli8905]

Outstanding video, one specific problem is that of a copy to the event of awakening. People who may not have experienced it, will borrow the information share and make it their own. The experience is specific to the individual and have certain things happen, those who really have already know that one carries no burden to instruct nor convert others. or share what they have been exposed to.

[@luisvargas1526]

Thank you. This is just a though inside my mind which comes about as you started the video: The experiencer of the experience prior to having the mystic experience has been influenced by their religious thought or cultural ideas. It appears to me that their own personal knowledge may affect the interpretation or the experience itself. But of course, some of these mystic tend to express their experiences far beyond their religious ideology. Which sometimes gets them in trouble with their religious leaders. Which in turn makes me think that it is a personal experience that it is specifically for that individual and as far as not all are able to experience it, it becomes a mystery for billions of individual who desire to know or experience such a wonderful mystic experience. For example, I had two experiences in two different religions. In one I felt a like a puff or something blowing into the top of my skull. Immediate, I was taken by it. With my eyes close, I began to say, "Glory to God!" many times, yet the words coming out of my mouth were not those words being spoken in my mind. In other experience, during an initiation, as I was getting up, I felt the ground give from under me (Like walking on water), while walking and being help by others. Immediately, I felt something from inside of me (The middle of my body) rise and a giant breath going out of me as I look up, open my mouth and let it out. In both I was fully conscious. What it meant to me? To tell you the truth at that time I did not know what to make from it. Now I believe they were meant to for me alone. Yet, I am sharing them with you here. Another idea that comes to mind is that we are limited as far as knowing the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In other words, prior to be being born what did we know, and after birth what will we experienced or remember experiencing? In other words the mind can go blank at anytime due to many factors, and may even be rendered useless while still alive. All the knowledge (Limited knowing), as much as can be gather, I believe, can never be able to tackle the prior to birth and after death experience. Because, no memories are available from our birth, and no memories will be left after death (No memories in the mind and no memories left in it). Based on those factual items mentioned, all of the mysteries of God are being discussed and valued during the time of recollection by the mind, and its ability to know, understand, and be able to grasp educational, religious, or philosophical concepts. Which leads me to understand (My own ideas) that 1. All these topics are important to individual minds that can understand them and are still alive. 2. And all of it is important as long as that individual is capable of learning or wanting to know. 3. Prior to birth no ounce of knowledge was needed to be born, and at death none needed at all. The beauty that I can perceive from all of these thoughts is to be guided by the desire to know the eternal reality, and avoid giving to much value to mental concepts of any kind. But of course, all search for the real, or the itch to know God comes from concepts which it is even more interesting. As I learn and grow in wisdom, the more I desire to be one with God then to know anything at all. Hope it makes sense.

[@user-jt5ot4hy9q]

You are certainly right, in that the experiences tend to be interpreted (or re-interpreted) through the lens of a pre-established belief system. That's why Eckhart is particularly believable--his understanding at times rivals the dogma of the Church--and, hence, his own pre-established belief system.

[@congamike1]

I am enjoying this. Thanks

[@ryanhollist3950]

I'll need to watch this again a few times to parse out the ideas. I think this may give me some of the language and perspectives I can use to work out the mystical experiences I've had in my life.

[@georgem7502]

Thank you, Dr Sledge, for this lecture which, fwiw, in my view is one of your absolute best and the 50 mins. or so has just flown by - I'm being selfish I guess as Philos of Religion is more in my wheelhouse than alchemy/necromancy &c., but this was hands down *the* best way to handle the mid-ground between Popperian/Dawkins-esque falsifications of such experiences on one hand, while not accepting the credulity of Swinburne on the other. Loved it. Thank you. When I'm a little less unemployed, I will ofc become a Patron. :D

[@dubdeluxe6192]

wow! great work!

[@BcClarity]

Thank You Dr. Sledge. I once did truly have notions of a early modern period of ecumenical peace and understanding. Babel from my wish for innocence in the Universe to exist among egoistic materialists.

[@ffff4837]

Been trying to figure it out my whole life. Wrestle with How He Works, Why He Works, and When He Works but the biggest lesson I learned is that I really knew nothing, which is more than I used to know because I used to know everything. Thank God I don’t have to completely comprehend it with my intellectual faculties to see it, accept it, and live by it in my spiritual and loving faculties. Hallelujah Amen.

[@ffff4837]

Love this channel by the way. I probably don’t know how I feel about 3/4 of your content, and the other 1/4 I am exploring because it makes me uncomfortable and I wanna see why it makes me uncomfortable. Lol but it’s always clearly and fully explained, in a variety of different and helpful ways. I appreciate the work you do. God bless you.

[@davidmckayii752]

Thanks for the interesting video.

[@pseudo515]

Great work

[@AquariusGate]

Thanks so much Justin and channel esoterica. Mystical experiences exist to train a persons faith, intuitions and divine nature. Truth makes us and ceases to be when the mystic embodies it. Truth is realisation, a transmission that transforms.

[@universe36]

I really loved this video! I was always interested in philosophy and I always skeptical of mysticism but I felt that it would be too misguided to just wave off mysticism as our brains malfunctioning or something like that. So this video really satisfied a craving that I had to investigate the truth value of mystical experiences and the existence of mystical experiences themselves. By the way, what do you think of aldous huxley's the perennial philosophy? I feel as if you have a less favourable outlook on it lol

[@alwilliams5177]

Best philosophy lecture ever. Out of the park with bases loaded.

[@ozielangel5475]

Absurdism can also put into a very fascinating context mystical experiences considering that even our "normal" experiences can be remarked with trascendentality, thus mystical experiences could be considered more of a transition into adhering different forms of trascendental perspective into "normal" perspective (considering the transient nature of the experiences), sorta the re-arrangement of the perceptual organs. This would get us in the grounds of further debating the limits of the mind in experiencing abstractions and then making sense of them, as I would argue that a lot of the mystic experience could have to do with being overpowered by the absurdity of this experiential abstractions that beg to be integrated and accepted by the human factor in what we could call their "truths". How can something so beyond humans be experienced by humans? I don't know, with this we can get into the territory of death, and maybe even near-death mystical experiences.

[@adebleswordfish]

I get what you’re saying heavily, discordianism is, to me, the most absurdist “faith”

[@aliceandreini4583]

Reminds me of the poem I've never seen a purple cow And hope I never see one. And yet in the right light, cows can be purple

[@Leiferuphugus]

This is the first episode which I have felt immediately compelled to watch over again in the hope of comprehending more of. I feel as though I have some things to say about this subject. But I don't know if what I have to say is just reinventing the wheel. I guess there's only one way to find out. For now I'll leave this excerpt from Liber O vel Manus et Sagittae: "In this book it is spoken of the Sephiroth and the Paths; of Spirits and Conjurations; of Gods, Spheres, Planes, and many other things which may or may not exist. It is immaterial whether these exist or not. By doing certain things certain results will follow; students are most earnestly warned against attributing objective reality or philosophic validity to any of them. The advantages to be gained from them are chiefly these: (a) A widening of the horizon of the mind. (b) An improvement of the control of the mind.

[@Leiferuphugus]

p.s. The irony of a quote downplaying mystical experience by a man who created a religion around his mystical experiences is not lost on me at all. 😅

[@GijsInc]

Good video bro, I gained much intellect.

[@CrystalTwinStar]

8:58 Ohhhhh I am a Mystic, and I have wanted to sink my teeth into this conversation ALL MY LIFE!

[@lotoreo]

This was an absolutely excellent video, really helped me wrap my head around these matters and my own experiences, thank you so much for this!

[@davidanderikaahcoleman80]

Hey Dr. Justin Sledge, Your f*#*#*# Awesome man. You just tear right in and intellectually dismantle or dissect some of the most enigmatic subject matter of our known world Please rise, I knight you Sir Noetic Justice

[@EzekielsBones]

I love this guy. Also, I get that algorithms feed us stuff on KZbin, but all the videos I’m getting that deal with mystical experiences (many, but not all centered on psychedelics)are giving me confidence in talking about my own without feeling cray or even care if people think I’m crazy. I haven’t had an acute experience in quite a while, but i have a “muscle memory” of the insights gained from said experiences. I find that this is grounding me, at least for now, to better bear a few slings and arrows. I am recalling more and more “who I am”, and even teasingly but gently tell people when things get heated, politically or otherwise: “At this point, you don’t know who you are” Am I crazy?

[@mv8908]

Tell us more

[@mujaku]

Man is essentially a thinking creature (thinker & thought). But thinking is also man's limit. Man cannot go beyond man unless he transcends thinking. The mystics path is transcendence, that is, the transcendence of the thinking creature. In Dhyāna Buddhism this is absolute spirit, before thinker & thought.