Mystic Tendencies in Christanity
© Nasim Fatima
A Christian mystic seeks the same goal as any other mystic i.e., the union of soul with God, but it has to be within the context of Christianity. According to Henri Bergson, the Christian mysticism aims at more than attaining an inner state of consciousness, as other religions do; its goal is an active state of the mind through which God acts using soul as the medium. The purpose of a Christian mystic, it is claimed, is not to seek escape from life but to use love as the dynamic force of action.
However, despite their high sounding claims of monotheism, Christians substitute Christ for God, and thus union apparently means union with Christ. This is the principle and practice of Paul and John. The concept of union is more embracing because it seeks participation in Christ's suffering, resurrection and destiny. However, according to the interpretation of Chapter 17 of St. John, union does not end with Christ because all those who have become one with Christ, automatically share his union with God, the Father.
The Eastern interpretation of Christian mysticism associated with Dionysius the Areopagite, incorporates yet another fundamental principle which treats this universe as the manifestation of monism; it denies the doctrine of creation. According to this view, creation is, in fact, a process of emanation, which enables the divine Being to transport outside himself to dwell in the heart of all things.
Mysticism, as in the Eastern Church, was equally influenced in the Western Church, by Neoplatonism. St. Augustine, who died in 430, was a major figure in this respect. He thought that the vision of the Divine Light was the inmost fact and the most powerful medium of transformation. Pope Gregory the Great, also believed that God is the boundless light and treated contemplation as an endeavor to fix the eye of the heart on its ray. The mystical life in Europe suffered a setback during 7th to 10th centuries known as the Dark Ages, but was revived thereafter in the 12th century. In this connection, many names deserve mention such as St. Hildegard Von Bingen, a visionary and a prophetess: St. Bernard (1090-1153) who preached union of soul with God; Richard of Saint-Victor (died 1173), St. Francis of Assisi (died 1226), Dante and Agnela da Foligno.
According to the German Mystic Meister Eckehart, the seeker has to pass through four stages for uniting his soul with God.
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