Mysticism and Your take (Part 1)

[Smegma]

Before I speak up, I'm interested in a few things of what you all think of when you hear the word Mysticism or any form. Not its place in a particular religion, but at its core. If you had to define the word mysticism from just what you know about it right now? If you can, without any philosophic ideas on said topic, but the purity of itself (this may be much more difficult).

Before we talk more in depth about this topic, in which I hope to and all of its branching ideas, I think it important to clear things up for find a common ground. So I hope to continue these discussions.

To expand: After you've defined it, maybe you can expand your thoughts on it.

[LeetFidle]

Mysticism=Demons.

[Smegma]

Why so?

[pavliko]

because they want to take over the world ^^

[Mangled*]

If is this "part 1?", how do you expect this to progress to a subsequent part?

Mysticism is as far as I know a following or held belief in the mystic.

I think mysticism is as equally invalid as any other belief system not based on the principals of logic and science.

[echo_trail]

Mysticism to me is anything I don't understand in terms of the remotely unnatural. To me, it varies from subjects big and small, such as God or the impact dreams seem to have on people, but no one can really explain. It really is hard to explain ones understanding in short, 'cause it's such a massive, complex word/concept. Especially 'cause we in danish have a different understanding of the word than you do in english. In danish the word rerfers more to something being odd or weird in terms of peoples actions, whereas it in english, to me at least, seems to be somewhat more..magical.

[Smegma]

If is this "part 1?", how do you expect this to progress to a subsequent part?

Mysticism is as far as I know a following or held belief in the mystic.

I think mysticism is as equally invalid as any other belief system not based on the principals of logic and science.

What do you mean, the mystic?

You see, after part 1 comes part 2, hopefully by then we'll all have a better understanding of the concept of "Mysticism".

Mysticism to me is anything I don't understand in terms of the remotely unnatural. To me, it varies from subjects big and small, such as God or the impact dreams seem to have on people, but no one can really explain. It really is hard to explain ones understanding in short, 'cause it's such a massive, complex word/concept. Especially 'cause we in danish have a different understanding of the word than you do in english. In danish the word rerfers more to something being odd or weird in terms of peoples actions, whereas it in english, to me at least, seems to be somewhat more..magical.

So if something has the quality of oddness or weirdness, it is mystical?

So far, this is the closest definition, but still far off. In common english, its butchered as well. Thanks for you response though.

[Mangled*]

What do you mean, the mystic?

I mean the mystic. By which I mean anything pertaining to the mystical.

Or have I lost you? 

[Smegma]

What do you mean, the mystic?

I mean the mystic. By which I mean anything pertaining to the mystical.

Or have I lost you? 

No, merely clearly up the ambiguous noun reference. Now, can you define the word without tautologies?

[echo_trail]

@Smeg: Well, not per definition, but generally yes. It applies to different sutiations, of course. Also, we all know how common language tends to cloud the original meanings of certain words and phrases over time.

wiki:

Mysticism (from the Greek μυστικός, mystikos, an initiate of a mystery religion[1]) is the pursuit of communion with, identity with, or conscious awareness of an ultimate reality, divinity, spiritual truth, or God through direct experience, intuition, or insight. Mysticism usually centers around a practice or practices intended to nurture that experience or awareness. Mysticism may be dualistic, maintaining a distinction between the self and the divine, or they may be nondualistic.

Though I suppose this is right, it is not how I choose to understand it. I agree on the relation(or rather the lack of it) between the physical and the metaphysical, however in my mind, mysticism applies to a more of a physical world, with a certain twist of the supernatural. Kinda hard to explain though.

[Mangled*]

No, merely clearly up the ambiguous noun reference. Now, can you define the word without tautologies?

I could do but do you not agree that 'mysticism' is itself quite tautologous?

[Smegma]

No, merely clearly up the ambiguous noun reference. Now, can you define the word without tautologies?

I could do but do you not agree that 'mysticism' is itself quite tautologous?

No. Certain mystic philosophies, yes, but this is just the concept of mysticism, at least that it has more to say than just repetition.

[LtKillroy]

Mysticism is the thing you have to research to get (I think Hindu, I don't remember, might be Taoism or Buddhism) on Civ 4. That's all I know about it.
*edit*
If pressed, I would probably say... some kind of path to enlightenment or something? Trying to better understand things that are mystical, by mystical I mean some kind of higher power.

[Smegma]

I would argue the methods of mysticism are more aptly described as a "path to enlightenment".

[tehsnipah]

[off topic]But when was Smegma the moderator?[/off topic]

Mysticism=Demons.

So.... Jesus is demon, Greek gods are demons?....

[Mangled*]

[off topic]But when was Smegma the moderator?[/off topic]

Mysticism=Demons.

So.... Jesus is demon, Greek gods are demons?....

Yes, they're all demons and demons are fictional, as is anything mystic. Let go of that magical thinking.

[Smegma]

Who said things mystical were magical thinking?

[Mangled*]

Who said things mystical were magical thinking?

Nobody said that.

[Smegma]

Why is mysticism fictional then?

[tehsnipah]

Let's just go to Part 2 now.....

Why is mysticism fictional then?

Maybe because, it has 50% true and 50% bull poo.