Eastern and Western Mystics -- A Brief Essay on Schools of Religious Thought (140 hits)

Essential Sufism -- James Fadiman & Robert Frager

I just wanted to preface this note by saying that I am totally and completely devoted to Jesus Christ. He is the Author and Finisher of my Faith. Because I am so strong in my Christianity I am not afraid to explore other religions, to see what they have to say because everything other faiths profess leads me back to Jesus and the Bible. I make no value judgments or criticisms of other faiths just personal observations. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour and the Bible is my foundation, the only guide book for my life. Christianity is the right belief system for me.

Psalm 119: 105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

May 29, 2009

Just started reading this book. I want to learn more about Sufism since it is a theme echoed over and over by Gibran, Pamuk and of course its founder the great poet Rumi. I love the concept of becoming "One with the Beloved". In my opinion Pamuk corrupts Sufism and Mystics. Orhan Pamuk’s books present a distorted view of Dervishes and Sufis, especially the novel, My Name is Red. He reduces these holy men to their baser instincts.

Of course as a Christian my ultimate Spiritual Goal is to become one with Jesus Christ.
Over the years as I think back I believe I have found elements of Sufism in the writings of Deepak Chopra, the Dalai Lama and I'm sure that as I read more of Dr. Edward Said I will find it there also. Perhaps it is also in Buddhism, I must look at my Buddhist scriptures.

The theme of Being One with the Beloved resonates with me as a Christian because you find this concept in the Bible. Jesus spoke that He and the Father were One. The Epistles constantly speak about being reunited with God, being more like the Father, losing yourself in Him.
I'm the type of Christian who believes one can incorporate the best of other faiths without losing or rejecting one's own belief system. As I get older I lean towards to the Gospel of Inclusion. Besides on Judgment Day we will all answer to God no matter what our faith or belief.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

The aphorisms in this book remind me very much of the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. Proverbs is known as the book of Wisdom. I keep referring to the Bible because this is my faith and my frame of reference. As I read about the Sufis and Dervishes I think about Jesus disciples and how he sent them out to preach the gospel and heal the sick. Jesus told them to take nothing with them except the clothes on their back. I believe the scripture states that the workman is worthy of his hire. They went from town to town, house to house spreading the Good News. Whoever had ears to hear received it, those who did not Jesus told them to shake the dust off their sandals as they left that particular village. I am just speculating but maybe Rumi and other Sufis were inspired by Jesus, his disciples and the apostles. Another similarity I found was the mention of the Redemptive Names of God. Christians also have this.

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Eight Redemptive Names of God

JEHOVAH-JIREH
"The Lord our provider" - This is also the name Abraham gave to the place where the Lord provided a sacrifice in place of Isaac. (Gen. 22:14).
JEHOVAH-NISSI
"Our banner, a banner of love and protection" - Also the name Moses gave to the altar he built after defeating the Amalekites (Ex. 17:15).
JEHOVAH-SHALOM
"Our perfect peace" - Also the name Gideon gave to the altar he built at Ophrah (Judges 6:24)
JEHOVAH-TSID-KENU
"The Lord is our righteousness" - The name is applied to a future Davidic king who would lead his people to do what is right and thus bring peace (Jeremiah 23:6) and to the restored city of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 33:16). The name is possibly a play on the name of Zedekiah ("Righteous [is] the Lord") who reigned from 597 to 587 B.C..
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH
"The One Who is with us everywhere for He is Omnipresent" - The Jerusalem of Ezekiel's vision (see Ezekiel 48:35 margin) was known by this name. Compare text at Isaiah 60:19-20 and Revelation 21:3.
JEHOVAH-SABAOTH
"The Lord of Hosts, our Protector." C.H. Spurgeon said this about the phrase "The Lord of Hosts:
The Lord rules the angels, the stars, the elements, and all the hosts of Heaven; and the Heaven of heavens is under His sway... [the Lord] is on our side -- our august Ally; woe unto those who fight against Him, for they shall flee like smoke before the wind when He gives the word to scatter them."
See text at Psalm 46:7.
JEHOVAH-RAAH
"Our Shepherd Who tenderly leads us, loves us and will keep us safe." - the famous Psalm 23 tells us that "The Lord is our Shepherd and we shall not want...." Being illustrated as a shepherd implies a relationship with His sheep (His believers). The term shepherd appears approximately 80 times in the Scriptures, denoting meanings of: feeder, keeper, companion, friend, pastor and herdsman.
JEHOVAH RAPHA
"I am the Lord Your Physician or I am the Lord Your Healer - this name especially was a Name God prophetically spoke about Himself, not one that someone gave Him. Exodus 15:26

 
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Sunday, May 31, 2009

Just wanted to add that some of themed echo the Song of Solomon which contrasts romantic love between Solomon and his Ethiopian wife to his Love and search for God. Also in regards to mystics whether Sufi or Christian, "One cannot be so Heavenly bound that you are no earthly good". Props to my former Pastor, Rev. A.R. Bernard!!

The Mystic experience can also be found heavily in the Catholic Church. There are many famous Catholic Mystics; St. Teresa of Avila, Hildegard of Bingen, Francis of Assisi, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, etc... Many Catholic Mystics have had the experience of Stigmata, actually having the wounds of Christ on their physical bodies. Some have actually a type of ecstasy something similar to an out of body experience, perhaps a suspension of natural time where one is present with the Lord.

In my brief study of Eastern and Western Mysticism the Path Chooses the Believer not the Believer the Path. I think ones personality also lends itself to a mystical experience. For example in my own Christian life I tend to lean toward the cerebral not the emotional. I have attended Pentecostal or Holiness churches and when I first observed the Protestant version of Mysticism, i.e., being slain in the Spirit or falling out under the power it frightened me and put me off. I have had moments of Joy in my Christian Worship but for me personally I get the most out of Bible Study, thinking rather than being spontaneous. I prefer as the Bible states to Study to show myself approved, rightly dividing the Word of Truth and when the Lord says, Come Let us Reason Together. I suppose this is the analytical or contemplative side of me which has become more dominant in recent years. I know Praise and Worship has its place in the service but my favorite part of any church service is when the Pastor presents the Word of God. I Love to see how all the Scriptures fit together to make one whole in Spirit, Soul and Body.

Posted By: DeBorah Palmer
Sunday, May 31st 2009 at 10:58PM
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