What is Christian Mysticism?

Join me as I turn to explore Christian mysticism as we delve into the fascinating treasures of this tradition. From ancient practices, mystical experiences, and profound wisdom that have shaped the lives of countless of people throughout history.
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Music by:
Filip Holm
Johannes Bornlöf
Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
Sources/Recomended Reading:
Gendle, Nicholas (translated by) (1982). "Gregory Palamas: The Triads". In the "Classics of Western Spirituality Series". Paulist Press.
Greer, Rowan A. (1979). "Origen: Selected Writings". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press.
Hart, Columba (translated by) (1980). "Hadewijch: Complete Works". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.
Laird, Martin (2004). "Gregory of Nyssa and the grasp of faith: union, knowledge and divine presence". Oxford University Press.
Lossky, Vladimir (1944). "The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church". James Clarke & Co.
Luibheid, Colm (Translated by) (1987). "Pseudo-Dionysius: The Complete Works". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press International.
McGinn, Bernard. "The Presence of God" Series, in several volumes. Perhaps the best and most comprehensive introduction to Christian mysticism. Published by Crossroad Publishing Co.
McGinn, Bernard (2001). "The Mystical Thought of Meister Eckhart: The Man From Whom God Hid Nothing". Crossroad Publishing Co.
"Meister Eckhart: The Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises and Defense". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press.
"Meister Eckhart: Teacher and Preacher". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press.
Tobin, Frank (translated by) (1997). "Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead". Classics of Western Spirituality. Paulist Press.
Walshe, Maurice O.C. (translated by) (2010). "The Complete Mystical Works of Meister Eckhart". Crossroad Publishing Company.
Ware, Timothy (2015). "The Orthodox Church: An introduction to Eastern Christianity". New Edition. Penguin Books.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:49 What is 'Mysticism'?
06:56 Mysticism before Christianity
08:02 Mysticism in early Christianity: Contemplation & Theosis
14:28 Pseudo-Dionysius & Mystical Theology
18:30 The Great Schism: Catholicism vs. Orthodoxy?
19:26 Hesychasm
20:08 High Middle Ages & Monastic Orders
21:55 Hildegard of Bingen
23:06 The Beguines (Mechtild, Hadewijch)
26:17 Love & Union with God
28:45 Marguerite Porete & The Mirror of Simple Souls
31:09 Bernard of Clairvaux & Symeon the New Theologian
33:14 Mystical Practice (Hesychasm, Cloud of Unknowing)
37:30 Mystical Philosophy: Meister Eckhart
45:56 Gregory Palamas
48:47 Later Mystics
50:37 Protestant Mysticism?
53:37 Mysticism today & Conclusions
#christianity #mysticism #religion

[@colingallagher1648]

''Love never fails, Not even in Death."-St. Gregory of Nyssa

[@rickpaul8012]

Yeah go give a kid hormones mystic *ag

[@usmanbasyah4326]

Haqq

[@jbxfile20]

​@@rickpaul8012whaaaat?

[@christinasteltz5063]

I’ve always been drawn to the mystery of God. Hmmm…lots to take from this. I especially understand the part that talked about not being able to separate theology from mysticism. That’s what makes it hard and lonely place as a Christian to also be a mystic. We aren’t to discuss theology because it only causes division among believers. So the knowledge we find is really only for us and not to be shared with the body of Christ. Especially when observing other religious beliefs in our connection to God.

[@markcharron]

I love how you don't take any religion for granted, you take them all at their heart and soul, and show how beautiful they all are. Wonderful content.

[@da4dim]

From a mystic perspective, all religions are fundamentally teaching the same thing.

[@randomworkings3600]

@@da4dimSomewhat. I can’t remember who it was but there’s a quote that goes “All mystics speak the same language.” or something to that effect. Although, I do believe that what separates this sometimes is that mystics, particularly Christian mystics, will resolve their mysticism to rest in Christ alone in a strictly teleological manner.

[@historysmysteriesunveiled8043]

@@da4dim Different paths

[@br.m]

@@da4dim Not really. Christianity teaches something very different and unique.

[@ilovejapan717]

they been used to mind control, inquisition killed millions of people, the romans killed jesus and the vatican is in rome, the largest gold reserve, remember they robbed almost every latin american country and killed their people, stole their gold and imposed christianity, the history is funny cause the people who followed jesus endeup taking his life

[@majidbineshgar7156]

"The Cloud of Unknowing" is a great mystic book for example .

[@camillaquelladegliaggettiv4303]

Also a banger of a song

[@slimetime850]

@@camillaquelladegliaggettiv4303 Of ruine or some blazing starre is just perfect through and through

[@thekeysman6760]

23 years ago, 'The Cloud of Unknowing and other works' became the catalyst that confirmed my technique and experiences and sealed the deal, so to speak! Highly recommended. Also 'The Mystic in Love' holds some useful reminders of the frequency & resonance in prose & poetry.

[@hermeticascetic]

I'm currently reading prayer of the heart in Christian and sufi mysticism. It's good but it's taking me a while to get through because it's got a lot to chew on. Gotta take it in small chunks and let it marinate

[@Saint_nobody]

Doctrine and Covenants is better.

[@TheBlinky81]

Thank you for this, I appreciate the video as an Orthodox Christian - I have long been interested in the mysticism in my faith but it’s hard to tackle as you’ve said.

[@alwilliams5177]

​@@s-order-nomada quote from "Oh Brother, Were Art Thou" - "That don't make no sense." There's nothing mystical about destroying your country because it's too diverse for you. American conservatism belongs to our ex president anti-christ.

[@iulia1690]

The only true religion..I kid, but still

[@louseveryann2181]

If you were actually interested you wouldn't be a "gods-believer".

[@iulia1690]

@@louseveryann2181 as you get closer to living like Iisus Hristos, ofcourse your made in the image of God is gonna show. We are kings of this world, this is our garden that God made for us, and we have power over it.

[@louseveryann2181]

@@iulia1690 Wow...... Next time tie the bedsheets together, fangirl.

[@Ceylin_Kurtbogan]

I wasn’t raised a Christian at all but Catholic mysticism with its divine morality teaching is what drew me to Christianity in the first place.

[@FaithfulComforter]

Have you looked into Orthodox Christianity? Predates Roman Catholicism

[@uniform.001]

can u explain it more. does it mean that something big while happen after we die? or that when we die we are at our "highest" most divine moment

[@FaithfulComforter]

@@uniform.001 It means to seek God while you are alive. Luke 11:5-13 NLT

[@Jaylamah529]

@@FaithfulComforterDoing all of that searching whenever god is within us the whole time

[@FaithfulComforter]

@@Jaylamah529 incorrect

[@adim00lah]

Master Eckhart isn't bashing mystical experience, rather he's saying it's not the be all and end all. The visions are useful as they are motivation God is sending us that we are on the right path. But the visions themselves are not the goal, the goal is union with the divine. These mystical experiencies imo are the bedrock of faith. And it's faith that we use to attain union with God.

[@Mika-El-]

Good point. Thank you.

[@papercut7141]

Absolutely. He echos the teachings of all the church fathers in that respect

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

🙏🏽

[@menifo4334]

What is God?

[@adim00lah]

@@menifo4334 God to me is the Absolute, perfect, self-sufficient eternal reality that depends upon nothing external to itself.

[@BoredBookAddict]

Thanks a lot for this. As a Catholic I am happy to learn more about mysticism from your work.

[@hermeticascetic]

There's a book called prayer of the heart that talks about Christian mysticism through prayer that goes through a lot of the teachings of St Teresa on the subject of ecstatic prayer

[@thescoobymike]

You should look into Catherine of Siena. She starved herself into hallucinations and believed she had an invisible wedding ring that was made of Jesus’s foreskin

[@gracew4194]

There is also a book called the Bible that you should really check out. I'm just kidding around saying it like. I'm sure you know about the Bible but I just found it concerning that the host of the video is quoting ppl all over the place but doesn't quote the Bible. He even quotes someone and then says the person was considered a heretic. I just think calling one's self a "mystic Christian" is dangerous ground. Now of course in the US you can be whatever religion you want up to and including making up your own religion and I'm not trying to be the typical judgy Christian I'm just saying if you want to be a Christian then the most important part of that is to know Jesus and know that He said He is the way the truth and the life and no man goes to the Father but through Him. I can be wrong of course and I'm always learning but from what I understand by reading God's word is you can either be a Christian or be a mystic but based on the Bible I don't think you can do both even under the very broad definition of Mysticism that the host of the video uses. For the record I do believe in the gifts of the Spirit but those gifts are from God to use for His glory not ours and the Bible is quite clear that we are not to practice magic, divination, necromancy ect. I pray you will at least think about this.

[@lucasmilone5902]

@@hermeticasceticis it by George Maloney? Trying to find it, that’s the only one I found but it says it focuses on the Eastern Orthodox tradition

[@thoughtfuloutsider]

​@gracew4194, He mentioned the Bible a number of times, including the Old Testament, Luke and Paul's road to Damascus experience. I hear people talk about not doing magic but then talk about the gifts of the spirit, healings, and other miracles prayed for, which look a lot like magic to me. It's the theology that differs. If you believe in the all-knowing planned world, then praying sounds a lot like you want special dispensation to break God's plan. Not to mention the wise men who used the stars to find Jesus. If you read Mathew, Mark, and Luke, you get a very different picture of Jesus's teachings than John and Paul. Paul hardly talks about Jesus's biography like the 4 gospels. He's more interested in passing on his mystical messages from the passed on Jesus (which is the very definition of necromancy, that is talking to the dead sorry you probably think that's blasphemy). The first three focus on upholding Jewish laws and getting to God through that law, your actions, as good works. Jesus doesn't mention being God tho does say he's the son of man. John gets very mystical and out there and with Paul focuses on simply believing in Jesus being enough to get forgiveness regardless of your good or bad works. It seems to me Revelation is very mystical and symbolic though full of failed prophecies, since they were supposed to happen before Paul, the disciples and their followers died as Paul said not to bother marrying since the end was nigh. Revelation also uses a lot of stars and magical imagery and symbols.

[@ems4884]

Your taste in medieval art is top notch

[@Flamable1]

Thankyou for this video! I'm a Christian who came to faith via buddhist mysticism and having a profound mystical experience of God in the emptiness that I experienced through buddhist emptying of ego. I have often found it hard to contextualise this experience as a Christian, especailly as a attend a Protestant church. This video has really helped me integrate the mystical experience into my Christian identity in a way that was previously a little jarring. The descriptions by these mystics sound very similar to the buddhist ideas i was reading but with God at the centre. I really appreciate the deep research and deep understanding of the topic you have put into this video

[@thebigglow]

Ive had the exact same experience and journey as you describe.

[@trueblueclue]

Consider finding converting to Catholicism or Orthodoxy if you want more acceptance of mysticism and possibly more answers.

[@BallBatteryReligion]

Interestingly you're the second person I've heard say they came from Buddhism and found Christianity. I'm not subscribed to any religion but I did the opposite coming from a southern Christian background and exploring Buddhism. For me its been a wonderful breath of fresh air. I have a feeling this is something meaningful. I think both religions have a lot to offer each other.

[@owenswabi]

I had a similar experience, and yes it is hard to articulate. God bless

[@rattuna4773]

If you came from Buddhism I think you might feel more at home in an Eastern Orthodox church. Although it's for God to decide where He wants you to be, it might be worth looking into deeper if you haven't already.

[@machinotaur]

Good overview! I was highly resistant to Christianity until I discovered the mystical element of it in the Orthodox church, and then it suddenly all made sense to me. The Western general approach of trying to intellectualize and propositionalize belief could pierce neither my head nor my heart; but the more I learn about the Western mystics, the less I care for them.

[@theguyver4934]

What are trying to say ?

[@gamd666]

​@theguyver4934 he doesn't know it yet but he's slowly turning into an occultist; A la Eliphas Levy 👀 lmao I'm jk but his description seems to be an "enlightened" view if what he couldn't comprehend one way so he decided to get jiggy wit it

[@user-jc6vy5gm8q]

Ephesians 9 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Research The Shrud Of Turin proof of The Living and resurrected Christ, Let those who have eyes to see and ears to hear discern the eternal truth of Christ!!! Give no room to false doctrines of devils and satanic belief systems DO NOT BE FOOLED by WARLOCKS AND WITCHES !!!! Praise The Living Christ pray to download the Holy Spirit of YAHWEH, to accept and cleansed by the blood and covering of Christ, and to become one with The Heavenly Father : YAHWEH EL ELYON ELOHIM EL SHADDAI with Holy Ghost Baptism, seek deliverance renounce the kingdom of Satan and repent from all known and generational sin!!!! In the name of YESHUA HAMASHIACH ADONAI , THE HOLY ETERNAL CHRIST (The Anointed One)!!!

[@landry3341]

​@@gamd666good point. These people see people in the Western Church philosophizing and building on theological ideas and fail to understand them because they obviously aren't doctors. So instead they rush to either heresy or schism for a "simpler" experience. Experience of feeling. It makes them "feel" dense, or "feel" as if they know what is going on. At this point they are no different than protestants with their hand raising and rock bands, meant to cause an emotional reaction. The Western Church is extremely understandable and yet mysterious in its own way, people just get caught up in the weeds

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

​@@theguyver4934 Post-Schism Western mystics were spiritually deluded and sought/experienced pleasurable feelings and believed these to be of God.

[@jethrobradley7850]

William Blake deserves an honourable mention. If not a video all to himself

[@prakashkrishnan5836]

Theosis is the heart of Christianity

[@theguyver4934]

Alaha is the heart of Christianity

[@kellyshea92]

Ive converted to Greek Orthodox a few months ago and have been going to services at my local church and doing research. Great timing!

[@DudeNamedDuncan]

Read "The Fathers Know Best" by Jimmy Akin.

[@bellingdog]

Welcome! Check out Orthodox Wisdom and Patristix for some decent Orthodox videos. And may God bless you.

[@danielastoyanova3245]

This is such a great video and explanation on Christina mysticism. I am Eastern European and born into Orthodox Christianity. This video gave me so many answers to the way my family perceive and practise religion and my mother saying that one doesn’t need to understand God but Love him. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@henrycadman5564]

As a Protestant Christian, A.W. Tozer was essential for my discovery of Christian Mysticism. I needed to learn about it because I began experiencing visions and miracles, but because I am Protestant, we try to out-rationalize the mystical qualities of Christianity. Thank you for this video. Even though I am not planning on converting to Catholicism or Orthodoxy, I have so much respect and gratitude towards my Catholic and Orthodox brothers and sisters.

[@uhjulo]

Also protestant and these question arent coming from a place of judgment but curiosity. What kind of visions have you been having? Were they super overt? How did you know they were coming from God? I feel like ive experienced something similar but i find myself over-rationalizing.

[@majidbineshgar7156]

C. S Lewis may be considered as one of the modern Protestant Mystics whom must be worth mentioning .

[@mariecait]

He was catholic but true

[@vincentsmit1935]

Lewis was Anglican lol

[@mclkr9174]

@@mariecait he was an anglo catholic in the Anglican communion

[@majidbineshgar7156]

@@mclkr9174 He was from Irish Anglican protestant background alright, but I think one can know a genuine protestant when he/ she does not recognise the Pope as the supreme church authority ( pontífice), which was the case of C.S. Lewis .

[@AndyDPhelps]

Anglicanism is just Catholicism with divorce

[@jaygarcia6338]

i am connected to the spirit world and much of "mystic" knowledge is deeply true. even before i began researching other religions and traditions, some of these concepts were known to me from a young age. God Source is within every thing, every single atom. this whole world is alive, the universe and the stars are alive. this is why we are able to draw on the power of those great Heavenly Bodies, as we are calling on the God Source within.

[@ireb3l]

Ibn arabi a great sufi says based on Quran every atom in the universe praises god and prays even without acknowledging it. Our bodies are praying by functioning. Our cells are praying by building themselves .

[@jaygarcia6338]

@@ireb3l i wish i was as well-spoken! Im so inspired from what Ive read from some poetry so far but im looking into the books! Islam is a beautiful religion

[@Drumsnelson93]

Hey Filip, could you possibly do a video that covers the mystical experiences themselves from various saints of different religions? This one was amazing!

[@truthseeker3568]

I must thank Filip for his scholarly investigation into christian mysticism. As a catholic myself, it's heartening to note that his faith is moving in the right direction. New Testament's original christian references to mysticism are found in John 4:24, 6:53-54, 10:30, Matthew 5:48, 6:22, 16:18-19, among many more. And the book of Revelation is a compilation of mystical experiences of the 'beloved' mystic disciple & apostle, John. It is evident that Christ himself a mystic, taught spiritual (esoteric) mysticism to his direct disciples. With the passing of time, Successors of Christ's sacred teachings could not find suitable disciples to transmit the sacred esoteric teachings and so were 'lost' to the christian world and replaced by Church Christianity. Gradually, except for a few, interest in the sacred esoteric teachings the christian mystics practiced waned, and therefore remained hidden from catholics generally. However, God never ignores sincere truth-seekers (Luke 11:9) the opportunity to learn the secret esoteric knowledge, kept hidden from unprepared minds, in every Age. The Bhagavad Gita IV:7-8, declares that in every Age God incarnates in human form to restore the lost teachings that unite the soul with God-the underlying essence of every true religion. For those who are interested in understanding and learning everything about mysticism, it is necessary to learn the sacred esoteric teachings in its purity from a master mystic, an incarnation of God. Paramahansa Yogananda, in his "Autobiography of A Yogi," discloses the original esoteric teachings-the keys (Matthew 16:19)-that all great prophets and mystics in every religion used to unlock the "gates of heaven" and pass on to their 'prepared' disciples awaiting liberation from the three-fold sufferings: physical disease, mental inharmony, and spiritual ignorance. There are two ways to practice religion: 1. By the snail's-pace, natural evolutionary process of gradual unfoldment of Truth (Self-realization), or 2. By choosing the super-fast spiritual highway-the keys-to reach one's life's objective-Self-realization-in the shortest time. I sincerely hope Filip's wonderful exposition of this enlightening subject will prompt truth-seeking catholics to transcend the limiting dogmatic religious boundaries and learn the "true religion" of God-realization that Christ taught. This can be one of the ways to save Christ's Church from becoming irrelevant or going astray in the present Age. 🙏

[@MrCman321]

I have a question as someone who sees himself as a sincere truth-seeker. I’ve been estranged from the church for about a decade, but want to go to one that would be… at least tolerant of Christian Mysticism and the content of all encompassing love found in mystical states. Do you have any ideas? Or is all institutional religion too far from mysticism?

[@thisisanalt]

As a fellow Catholic, rather than going outright to the yogis of the orient for teachings of esoteric truths, I would recommend to you the book Meditation on the Tarot A journey into Christian Hermeticism, Letters to Unknown Friends, specifically written by an Anonymous author, a devout Catholic himself and a lifelong hermeticist who very specifically seeks to return knowledge of the Christian Esoteric tradition which is still alive and had been kept alive in places, notably France itself. It has the approval of none other than Hans Urs Von Balthasar which has been heartening for many a hesitant reader.

[@bartholomewrubendelatorreo9528]

MrCman, the writings mentioned in the video are portals into Catholic mysticism.

[@user-jc6vy5gm8q]

Ephesians 9 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Research The Shrud Of Turin proof of The Living and resurrected Christ, Let those who have eyes to see and ears to hear discern the eternal truth of Christ!!! Give no room to false doctrines of devils and satanic belief systems DO NOT BE FOOLED by WARLOCKS AND WITCHES !!!! Praise The Living Christ pray to download the Holy Spirit of YAHWEH, to accept and cleansed by the blood and covering of Christ, and to become one with The Heavenly Father : YAHWEH EL ELYON ELOHIM EL SHADDAI with Holy Ghost Baptism, seek deliverance renounce the kingdom of Satan and repent from all known and generational sin!!!! In the name of YESHUA HAMASHIACH ADONAI , THE HOLY ETERNAL CHRIST (The Anointed One)!!!

[@israel6319]

I mean no disrespect but I recommend you to buy the catechism and consider to start practicing this "dogma of religious practices". God-realization is great and all, but they should all be aligned with teachings that have been forged for 2 thousand years. Where is the mana? The sacraments instituted by Christ to his apostles, and how do you live the beatitudes? These are spiritual realities that lead you towards one path, the Father.

[@zebo11]

Just finishing a first listening.....this is so, so good! Thank you~~glad to have found you, and look forward to a more attentive listening

[@tessathulien4212]

I am so grateful for this summary. Studying and embracing this was quite taboo in my upbringing as a Lutheran. This was healing to witness it all come together, so beautiful as always! 💛

[@missanthropocene99]

Thank you so much for making this. I love all of your videos on Christian mysticism, and they have helped me a lot in navigating my own spiritual path. x

[@stephenanthony5923]

It's always a pleasure and a blessing to find extremely worthwhile content like this on KZbin

[@meganneale2074]

A great overview. I appreciate all the work you put into your research and presentations. God bless 🙏.

[@meditation-musicale]

What a treat, Filip! Thanks a lot. Very much aware of the amount of work you did for this. Your channel belongs to the most nourishing and inspiring I came across on KZbin. Profoundly grateful

[@jonby0]

amazing video! really appreciate the brief mention of quakerism at the end - I am a practicing quaker who was drawn by aspects of the movement one might call "mystical" (e.g., emphasis on direct experience, apophaticism, opposition to dogmatism). if you ever do a video on protestant mysticism (which I would love :) ) be sure to include some of George Fox's writings!

[@HarryBalzacc]

As a cradle Catholic who delved deep into the mystical depths of Christian doctrine a few years ago. 15:00 to 16:20 perfectly describes where I finally transcended into the mystical side during 2019 Lenten season

[@r.p.8906]

Experience. Unite. Become. I agree. I have experienced all of that. I finally realized that I am a mystic. It was not explained nto me as a child and I had no religious upbringing. However, I have experienced the Union with God as an intense Love and Peace and as a Union with the light. There is no human love that can be compared with such divine Love. It is absolutely amazing but also, I recognized that this is where I came from. My soul recognized HOME... Twice. I experienced it twice. Both times I was meditating in silence. The fist time in 2004 it was the Union with the Light, LOVE and PEACE... The second time in 2010, it was the Passionate Longing that was beyond my understanding as it was so passionate and made me cry for hours and hours as the Love was beyond any limit. 24:00. I never heard of this until now! Thank you for this video💗. You are explaining what I experienced. What an incredible video!!!

[@ilovejapan717]

u a mystic bro congrats

[@ilovejapan717]

mystic till a lion tries to eat u, just like every mystic

[@tessathulien61]

This was what I needed November of 2017. You are a gift to this world. I plan to share with so many who need validation as I did. Thank God for the words left behind by the mystics. Their words kept me from believing I was cursed or mad. Many blessings to you always. Some day I pray we will meet. 😊

[@ZenSolipsist]

Thank you for covering this 🧡 I have a huge affinity for the great poets of the Beloved, and your channel is on point ☺️

[@vankilaya]

Very nicely done.. quite informative and much appreciated... I am happy to have found your channel. All the best to you... ^_^

[@ashleyrenee9731]

Fillip I appreciate the music at 16:24 It really serves as a verbal break of reflection (shelah) and sets mood for the depth of what’s being discussed and both the historical time and personages being mentioned Also it shows the other side of you The musical side that says beyond words

[@alecbateman4498]

Man this channel is amazing.

[@G00DBL00MS]

Love this! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this for the world 💌

[@frankjimenez4601]

Wow, Filip, this is a greatly appreciated video you gave! Please make more on Christian mysticism. Especially on Louis Claude de St. Martin, Jacob Boehme, and Emmanuel Swedenborg (there's a Freemasonic rite based on his teachings and a church as well). I look forward to becoming a patron. 👍

[@cryptic_fox]

Very informative, I'm glad I found your channel!

[@cyprokka]

Can't wait. Love these videos. Please make one specifically on the Philokalia please!

[@Klaus.anal.Schwab]

THIS IS MY FAVOURITE CHANNEL

[@Tom-sd9jb]

I came to watch a video about Christian mystics and ended up laughing at your username. Thanks, you cracked me up but simultaneously made me wonder if you are a bot, a genuine person who thought the name was funny or if you're a "fed" 😂😂 Today'sPsychological warfare has ruined me.

[@Klaus.anal.Schwab]

@@Tom-sd9jb 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@NealBird-bq7ix]

Yes

[@kylejohnson6174]

I really appreciate this explanation if mysticism. It pulls together many of the attributes of religious practices that I have been exposed to in my own Christian upbringing. I have held practices as a Quaker for some years in my life, and was waiting for your mention of the Religious Society of Friends, and heard it mentioned briefly in your segment on the reformation and Protestant Mysticism. I'd be curious to hear you go deeper into Quakerism, Sufism, and other manifestations of mystical practices in the present day.

[@josemariaribal-reconnect]

Absolutely brilliant!! As brilliant are all the videos I've watched from your channel so far. You don't only have an incredibily powerful mind, and an almost perfect ability to explain such complex topics in such a clear and precise way, but you also have, and show, an enormous love for what you study and share, and for the people who follow your work.

[@michaelkalish2013]

The discussion of Miester Elkhart’s concept of “ground” and our relationship to it reminded me of Spinoza’s schema of substance, attributes, and modes.

[@Mika-El-]

Superb and noble work. What makes your content stand out amongst many other channels with high intellectual and scholarly brilliance, is the glow that your heart lends to your work. It is obvious that all these deep and mystical topics moves you way beyond academic curiosity and the Nous seeps through in very nourishiing ways for us on the other end of the screen. Wish you the very best for your continual path.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Very kind words!

[@yosoyyohoy]

I feel the same way:) @@LetsTalkReligion

[@inesgovaerts]

Agreed!

[@carolineaustin4138]

Well said.

[@Cross-Carrier]

Chrysostom " The creature could not bear the wrong done to its creator, therefore the son withdrew its rays so it might not behold the deeds of the wicked " ✝️

[@RedWinter88]

I quite literally was just thinking the last few days that I wanted to look more into Christian mysticism and then you drop this video!🎉

[@ejh5628]

Check out Teresa of Avila, john of the Cross, Catherine of Siena, Bonaventure, and Teresa of Lisieux. It's heavy stuff. You encounter it best in prayer. "The way to heaven is heaven."

[@Brody-Aleksander]

Look into Father Serraphim Rose

[@Brody-Aleksander]

​@@ejh5628everyone tou mentioned is lost in prelest and captured by demons

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

​@@Brody-AleksanderYes

[@Sashas-mom]

It would be amazing to have further videos on this topic. It’s rich and enlightening. Amazing thank you!

[@carolhansen4657]

My favorite video of yours so far. Thank you for this! I especially loved your treatment of Hildegard and Julian.

[@user-jc6vy5gm8q]

Ephesians 9 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Research The Shrud Of Turin proof of The Living and resurrected Christ, Let those who have eyes to see and ears to hear discern the eternal truth of Christ!!! Give no room to false doctrines of devils and satanic belief systems DO NOT BE FOOLED by WARLOCKS AND WITCHES !!!! Praise The Living Christ pray to download the Holy Spirit of YAHWEH, to accept and cleansed by the blood and covering of Christ, and to become one with The Heavenly Father : YAHWEH EL ELYON ELOHIM EL SHADDAI with Holy Ghost Baptism, seek deliverance renounce the kingdom of Satan and repent from all known and generational sin!!!! In the name of YESHUA HAMASHIACH ADONAI , THE HOLY ETERNAL CHRIST (The Anointed One)!!!

[@heinrichkornelius]

I would like to see an episode on John of the Cross and another on Teresa of Avila, please.

[@josephverri618]

There's no words that could do justice to the value of your works. Your abilities of language and thought present centuries of scholarly depth to us common seekers in an understandable and retainable format. Your work transcends belief systems. This video is a masterpiece.

[@carolineaustin4138]

I would like to hear more about the Cappadocians, especially Gregory of Nyssa. And Macrina.

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

Jay Dyer and David Erhan have covered many of their works and teachings.

[@robininelphame19]

Can you make a video about Pagan Monasticism?

[@JPsonicACE]

Deep with nice visual, loved the video and the content.♡

[@sydneyfong]

Wow. This is a treasure trove of information. Thank you for making this video.

[@Cross-Carrier]

I recommend this topic in a poll recently 👍🏼 Thank you for making me feel included.

[@Robert_McGarry_Poems]

Could you possibly do a video about Zoroastrianism please. I have always been interested by it and it's actual connections to Judaism and Christianity.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

I did one already a few years ago. And there might be a new version of it coming in the near future, too!

[@Robert_McGarry_Poems]

@@LetsTalkReligion thanks, I'll look for it

[@saxogatley1166]

​@LetsTalkReligion would appreciate a follow up that goes more in depth.

[@chendaforest]

Prof KD Irani interviews on you tube are definitely worth watching if you are interested in Zoroastrianism.

[@anthonyjohn9000]

Please try to see videos on Sumerians, you will definitely come to know how religions came into existence.😅

[@Pretaviana0137]

As always a wonderful exposition! Thank you🙏🏼

[@lindadoe1]

Your well researched teachings are concise and clear and your accompanying photos and music are beautiful. Thank you for your professional approach, intellect and dignity. Linda Doe Hollywood, California United States of America

[@hutte1751]

Thank you for sharing your culmination of knowledge. It's a beautiful thing to listen to and learn. You also have a very soothing voice. It's educational and relaxing at the same time.

[@Klaus.anal.Schwab]

I'm very much looking forward to this

[@adamblock2577]

This was excellent! Thank you!

[@roberth6375]

Happy St. Nick's day! Thank you for your work🙏

[@Pallasathena-hv4kp]

Great episode! So happy to learn of people I was not aware of!

[@Deitz39]

Thank you! Love your videos, would love more on the Desert Fathers as a possible future video. Just a suggestion. Always appreciate your videos1

[@xenocrates2559]

Beautifully done. Thanks for this.

[@aydenpritchard5868]

So insightful, thank you for taking on the discipline of making these videos! Have you thought about doing a video on the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church?

[@SpagEddie8113]

This video was super interesting, and a lot of these beliefs reminded me of some Hindu beliefs which im learning about in my eastern religions class. I’ve been raised Christian my whole life (Quaker at first and now Catholic) and I wish I had learned about this stuff, especially those Eckhart teachings, because they’re really cool. Thanks for sharing all this knowledge, great video!

[@bobbyguzman3058]

Im a Catholic Mystic and I’ve found myself in Christian Mystic circles and one of my mentors is a Jewish Mystic. Its a very weird thing to explain to people so I usually dont as to not get taken for a schizo. Great video

[@user-hu8tw2ot3t]

Dont take this the wrong way but I believe this is a heresy in the catholic church. As Christians we shouldnt let outside religions influence us. Turn to the Church Fathers instead of the rabbis

[@Thomas_McCoy]

Schizo and mystic is a fine line

[@Thomas_McCoy]

The problem with spiritual experience is that without proper understanding it can veer into delusion

[@bmmk12]

What does it mean to label yourself a Catholic mystic? Like, specifics, what do you do that you outright label yourself that ? Curious

[@bobbyguzman3058]

@@bmmk12 I am a Catholic who has had mystical experiences. Mysticism is experiential, Catholicism just denotes my denomination. There are many Orders of Mystics outside of the official religions as well such as martinists, I am associated with some individuals in these mystical orders but I myself have not joined them.

[@a88aiello]

I am fascinated by how many of the themes and ideas expressed in these various forms of mysticism have similarities with other religious traditions. For example, searching within one's self through meditation strikes me as very similar to Buddhism. The reasoning that leads to the practice may differ but the goal of reaching some transcendent state and the practice itself seem much alike. The idea of God as one with all that exists reminds me of how the Tao is described. I'm always awestruck by how these concepts resonate across many theological outlooks.

[@SpikedCollar666]

You’re so right, I think Buddhism teaches us how to operate like we are god.

[@StoneInMySandal]

There are countless books on that topic. A central theme is the idea that there is only one truth, and pursuing it eventually leads everyone to the same place. Whether it’s Jesus, or Buddha, Ahura Mazda, or Ba’al, they are simply the vehicle that worshipers use in their pursuit of that truth.

[@johnmarston2616]

Great video friend. Thanks for the info.

[@martincoffey5364]

I want to commend you for your clarity, balance, reverance and understanding.

[@katieharrington2845]

I have been experiencing otherworldly paranormal phenomena entities etc even though I was a young girl who loved Jesus Christ. I am now fully saved by Lord Jesus Christ but I find that I'm having many .....too many mystical episodes it's a daily encounterering of mysticism. I used to be involved in new age etc but since being close to God and filled with the holy spirit my experiences of mystical encounters and paranormal activity had greatly increased, I have also been given gifts of the spirit including healing, seeing future prophetic events,, dreams and visions, God's voice calls my name, and a great knowing of things O shouldn't know. I don't mean to have these , I've even discovered that the holy spirit has even given me the gift of true telepathy, I see UFOs and orbs appear to come each time I pray to my father outside at night they show themselves, I believe that without holyspirit power being in me, I'd be nothing, I'd not have these mystical episodes. I know it sounds crazy but this is my life. I'm 32 and a full on believer and servant of the most high God Adonai. I don't ask for this it's just what God has given me at this present time.

[@miguelatkinson]

It sounds like your suffering from some sort of undiagnosed mental condition or schizophrenic episode s I would say get professional help

[@unmothered333]

Okay is it Jesus or Adonai? Aliens seem to be connected to all these religions. Interesting that they pop up and you get special abilities when getting into a religion.

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

You should read Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future by Father Seraphim Rose.

[@lukasrobinson4077]

Amazing work Filip. Thank you!

[@louiscreed4242]

really nice. thank you so much for doing this, i really enjoyed watching

[@antoniomoreira5921]

Not sure it's the right niche but if anyone's interested in Traditional Christian history, especially Medieval (but also about the Church Fathers for sure), I strongly recommend Schwerpunkt's relative playlist

[@michaeldillon3113]

Thank you for a great presentation Filip . My feeling us that if Mysticism had been more central to the teaching if my own anglican church then i would not have had to go on a long journey through other traditions in order to discover that the kingdom of heaven is at hand . Indeed the kingdom of heaven is within you . The more you can connect to the kingdom if heaven within , the more your experience expands to understand that the Kingdom of heaven is also without you . Indeed ut is all the kingdom of Heaven and there is no you. 🙏

[@orthochap9124]

The end of what you said ('there is no you'), sounds very Buddhist. Keep in mind that the monastic tradition maintains that the one and the many are non-dialectical realities that must exist in tandem (still maintained in the Orthodox tradition to this day). Just as God is both three and one with no contradiction, so we are able to be joined to God energetically through Christ becoming man and joining us to his humanity in baptism, and yet remain distinct from God by nature because we will never experience God's properties that are exclusive to Him alone. Contrary to modern day Pentecostal/Charismaticism, ancient Christian mysticism is by analogy a fire but it's in a distinct fireplace which has logs that ensure our fire is growing upward and that it's not spreading to the experience of demonic entities as well. Additionally, there are objective realities (logs if you will) that ensure we are pursuing God's kingdom within us that the Christian mystics pursued as well within the sacramental life: baptism, repentance, Scripture, confession, chrismation, specific prayers, the Eucharist, and attending the Divine services. They realized they had to leave their life of sinfulness even in their thought lives in order to experience God's grace more fully and actually attain to seeing God (Matt 5:8, 5:28). Yet many were deeply aware of false spiritual experiences from demonic entities (remember Satan appears as an angel of light after all-2 Cor 11:14).

[@Brody-Aleksander]

Heresy by its nature will suck, what did you expect

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@Brody-Aleksander What is heresy?

[@Brody-Aleksander]

@@NoLefTurnUnStoned. Anglicanism / all of western christianity

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@Brody-Aleksander Hmmmm… According to who?

[@jeremiahrajanesan829]

Thank you for this wonderful presentation.

[@userMB1]

Fascinating topic. I didn't know so many Christian monks and priests wrote about religious experiences. Can you also make a video about ascetism in various religions? How it is practices and what they want to achieve and how they are able to do it for so long?

[@bassdvant]

I'm surprised there was no mention of Thomas Aquinas.

[@asliuf]

fantastic video, thank you so much

[@locochingadero]

Thank you for this video. I'm recommending it and sharing it, particularly to colleagues and friends doing psychedelic research. That community (and. psych in general) use the term with accompanying scale for use in research about experience. Your beautiful video really demonstrated the deep aspect of the experience that are even mimicked in psychedelic experience but clearly can't be articulated in conventional discourse. Could it be that James was talking about the noetic experience as an epistemic perspective (maybe gestalt) rather than some specific experiential content?

[@user-ev6br5hs6n]

Thank you for making this message possible

[@WilliamCarterII]

Love these -- especially being Orthodox myself.

[@apollonius153]

Great video...I wrote by sharpie felt tip pen into one of my study note books every single quote as well as extra notes on ur brilliant insights in-between lol took 4 hours maybe even longer and I'm not even exaggerating but finally done..anyways thank u so much for this factual,inspirational, and illuminating content as usual...I deeply appreciate ur hard work so may Peace be with you brother and with any1 who may read this.✌🤟👍

[@Brody-Aleksander]

Father Serraphim Rose

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

Elder Ephraim of Arizona. Look into him and his writings. He founded 19 Orthodox monasteries in North America. He also predicted carunka. Also Father Seraphim Rose.

[@Brody-Aleksander]

@@ElonMuskrat-my8jy this

[@yego211]

Thanks for all your work.

[@handofgrace5066]

Thank you. This information is very much appreciated. God bless you. ♥

[@bmac_xxx207]

I am going to be keen to here this

[@briyo2289]

It would have been interesting if you had talked some about the sacramental basis of mysticism. Sacramentum was one of the translations of the Greek musterion, and that connection grounds the concept of mysticism in Christian practice. Interesting video, thanks.

[@PrimaveraChocolates]

Excelent as always!!!

[@kumarkshitij1961]

What a gem of a video absolute perfection in inner wisdom. Thank you for this beautiful video on Christianity.

[@Tom-sd9jb]

I think you replied to me not long past and said a Swedenborg video was in the making for sometime in the future. That is something I am exceedingly excited about. Great video as always. This is, subjectivity the best KZbin channel going... although I'd un-objectively say it's the best objectively!

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you very much! And yes, I'm still (slowly) working on that video!

[@nnonotnow]

I have avoided this topic for some time. But when I saw that you had a presentation on it, I knew that I would get a very thorough and straightforward teaching. So thank you for that. I was hoping that you would bring it more into the modern age. But I can see now that that maybe a topic in and of itself. I have many years of teaching and leading in a Pentecostal environment. And can relate to some of the things that you said. Most of what these men and women have talked about is based on scripture. They just taken that to a different level. Some of it does seem quite Oriental in my way of thinking. I do think in Pentecostalism there is an effort to bring the common parishioner if you will into a state of awareness where he can connect with his god in a deeper sense. It's almost shamanic in that respect. And many of these mystics used different techniques to enter into an altered state wherein they could make that connection. I left Pentecostalism about 3 years ago and am basically been isolating and just studying and preparing to engage on a different level. I'm currently fascinated by old Germanic tribal paganism and seeing some of the commonality between different types of religions is fascinating. Thank you for what you do.

[@ntlearning]

I’m doing my masters on the Church fathers. I’m Pentecostal and may do a thesis around Aboriginal spirituality as I live in an indigenous community. I’ve see too many incredible things in the Pentecostal experience particularly with the Indonesian church. So witchcraft first here, then I want to investigate Muslim experiences of meeting Jesus.

[@jovitabhengra]

This was so interesting to learn about. Could you give us more detail on protestant mysticism because that would be so interesting to see in terms of its lead up to today too!

[@anthonyjohn9000]

In Christianity there are 30000 denomination .

[@nikolaeftimov9919]

Thank you and happy New year.

[@EOShorts]

Thank you for putting this together.

[@oxherder9061]

Excellent content as ever

[@jaymistry2585]

This is brilliant thank you for this

[@edluckenbill9382]

Great video . Explains a lot . Thanks 😊

[@joaomarcelofernandes1695]

Loved it! Maybe it would be interesting to make a video on Latin mystics, going deeper into the thought of St. Bernard, St. Bonaventure, the Carmelites, and such. I feel like there's often this misconception that Western/Latin Christianity (or at least "official" Catholicism) is plainly scholastic (though St. Thomas himself was a mystic) while mysticism is an Eastern thing.

[@Celticmist-qz6ve]

Which Tomas? Peter Pio was also a mystic ?

[@lynb.3040]

​@@Celticmist-qz6veSt. Thomas Aquinas. Which Pio do you mean? Padre Pio? Yes, he was.

[@user-jc6vy5gm8q]

Ephesians 9 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Research The Shrud Of Turin proof of The Living and resurrected Christ, Let those who have eyes to see and ears to hear discern the eternal truth of Christ!!! Give no room to false doctrines of devils and satanic belief systems DO NOT BE FOOLED by WARLOCKS AND WITCHES !!!! Praise The Living Christ pray to download the Holy Spirit of YAHWEH, to accept and cleansed by the blood and covering of Christ, and to become one with The Heavenly Father : YAHWEH EL ELYON ELOHIM EL SHADDAI with Holy Ghost Baptism, seek deliverance renounce the kingdom of Satan and repent from all known and generational sin!!!! In the name of YESHUA HAMASHIACH ADONAI , THE HOLY ETERNAL CHRIST (The Anointed One)!!!

[@naradaian]

Perhaps Eckhart was keen to keep his head fixed to his body or not to be fried in a fire. Avoiding talking about inner experiences in 14th century Germany was a safer path than either sharing them or validating them …he could also have lacked eidetic skills or facility - whilst agreeing ‘experiences’ are not THE goal they are frequently unavoidable…nowadays accusations of magic or heresy etc are uncommon in western culture

[@actualneet3931]

YES!! I WAS COMMENTING FOR THIS VIDEO!! THANK YOU!! Excellent educational piece and companion video to your videos on Muslim Mysticism!!

[@jamesfreed6214]

Another great one , we i appreciate you ❤