Earth Energy Reader (in The Shift Has Hit the Fan blog) shares an interesting comparison from Chris Hedges, on the similarities between mystics and rebels, and a few related musings.
In a time and culture of Spiritual Entertainment and commoditized, (sometimes referred to as) ‘plastic’ or faux, surface-skimming spirituality, or spiritual bypass, it’s a good distinction to make.
But actual transformation, or transformed nonconformists as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of it (more on that below)? That’s a vital type of engaged spiritual or mystic activism, as it’s called.
It’s messy, though; gritty, difficult … inconvenient … so there’s a reason why it’s a more rare bird that flies in that direction.
Perhaps that’s why it’s a calling rather than a choice if you are so called; it’s a call you can’t ignore or hang up on when it gets inconvenient or downright ugly, and it definitely gets inconvenient and downright ugly at times.
As I think of several of my Mystic Heroes and Heroines along the way, I’m inclined to agree that yes, there are ways that true mystics — definitely outside the ‘normal’ of their (our) times — are like rebels. And vice versa, in the ways Chris Hedges describes.
If you follow the Mystic Breadcrumb trail, you’ll see what I mean (Thomas Merton, Julian of Norwich, and most assuredly Theresa of Avila … and others). Perhaps a followup post on those inspiring Mystic-Rebelles is in order, because they deserve it…okay, it’s on the writing list.
In the meanwhile, Earth Energy Reader’s post is a very worthy, and heart-and-thought-stirring, read.
It also reminds me of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s evocative phrases: Creative Maladjustment and Transformed Nonconformists (I wrote about that here – definitely Mystic-Rebel goin’ on there, and very inspiring if you are one!).
And a recent article sharing contemporary Mystic and Teacher, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee’s recent interview in Parabola Magazine (scroll a few posts from the Sophia’s Children home page and you’ll see it).
Mystics. Rebels. Transformed Nonconformists. We have a theme brewing here …
Big Love,
Jamie