By Carl McColman
Who are the mystics? They are found in every religion and every era of history. Many are people we might recognize as saints, and quite a few were monks or nuns — but mystics come in all shapes and sizes, and many were surprisingly down to earth and accessible. What they all seem to have in common is an unshakeable conviction that it is possible for people — even the most ordinary folks — to have intimate and deeply transformational relationships with God. Such a relationship is the fruit of spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, and contemplation.
Like the saints, the mystics come in many different shapes and sizes. But their wisdom, and their encouraging words about the spiritual path, are truly universal. They seem to say to us:
“Don’t be afraid of God, for God is love. Take the risk of opening your heart to the Spirit, for you are opening your heart to love. Do this, and your life will shimmer with beauty, meaning, and purpose.”