Way Of Way 278

Mysticism refers to the pursuit of communion, identity with, or conscious awareness of ultimate reality, the divine, spiritual truth, or God through direct experience, intuition, or insight. It’s often characterized as a profound spiritual experience that transcends ordinary understanding.

Mysticism is the foundation upon which most religions are based.

On this foundation, early adherents stand together; united by a shared spiritual experience.

As more people join a religion, structures are built upon its foundation to house them.

The structures have many stories, stories upon stories; each supporting the story above it.

The most desirable living spaces in these buildings are those with the best views; those on the highest stories, closest to the heavens.

In the high stories live religious leaders and their wealthy supporters.

As for the foundation, it’s deep underground; making mysticism hard to find.

All that’s visible are the stories: the doctrines, rituals, and traditions that sustain the religion.

This is the way religions transition from a mystical experience into a community sharing inherited stories.

At the end of days a fire erupts in the building, allowing only two ways to escape to eternal life: through the basement at the foundation with the aid of a mystic or jumping out of the stories.

Many will die in the fire, as they are afraid to jump out a high story; for they think they would surely die.

Those willing to abandon their comfortable stories above the foundation, descend to the foundation, and ask for guidance will find rescue in the hands of the mystics.