Listening in the Silence – Reclaiming the Mystical Heart of the Church:

Listening in the Silence: Reclaiming the Mystical Heart of the Church:

The old adage rings with a haunting truth: the modern church, it’s said, is a mile wide and a half-inch deep. We’ve broadened our reach, embracing inclusivity and accessibility, yet many feel a gnawing emptiness, a longing for the profound, the mystical, the esoteric currents that once pulsed through the heart of faith. We’ve become adept at discussing God, but have we forgotten how to truly experience the Divine?

This isn’t a critique of progress or a lament for a romanticized past. It’s a call to reclaim the whispers in the silence, the hidden wisdom that lies beneath the surface of dogma and doctrine. It’s an invitation to rediscover the mystical heart that beats within the church, waiting to be rekindled.

For centuries, the church nurtured a vibrant mystical tradition. From the desert fathers and mothers who sought God in the solitude of the wilderness, to the soaring visions of Hildegard of Bingen, to the fiery love of Teresa of Avila, mystics have offered a counterpoint to the often-rigid structures of organized religion. They reminded us that faith is not merely intellectual assent, but a transformative encounter with the Divine.

These mystics weren’t just outliers. Their experiences, though perhaps expressed in the language of their time, pointed to a universal human capacity for direct spiritual knowing. They demonstrated that the path to God wasn’t solely through scripture or sermon, but also through contemplation, prayer, and the cultivation of inner stillness.

Examples of Christian Mysticism:

• Hildegard of Bingen: A 12th-century Benedictine abbess, visionary, and polymath, Hildegard experienced vivid religious visions, which she interpreted and documented in her writings and artwork. Her work explored themes of theology, cosmology, medicine, and music, reflecting a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all creation.

• Meister Eckhart: A 13th-century Dominican theologian and mystic, Eckhart emphasized the immanence of God, the idea that God is present and active in all things. His teachings focused on the soul’s capacity for union with God through self-knowledge and detachment.

• Julian of Norwich: A 14th-century English anchoress, Julian experienced a series of profound revelations about the love of God, which she recorded in her book “Revelations of Divine Love.” Her writings emphasize God’s unconditional love and compassion, offering a message of hope and comfort in times of suffering.

So, how do we bridge the gap between the mile-wide surface and the untapped depths? How do we reclaim the mystical heart of the church?

• Embrace the Silence: In a world saturated with noise, silence is a radical act. It’s in the stillness that we create space for the whispers of the Spirit to be heard. Cultivate practices like contemplative prayer, centering prayer, or simply spending time in nature, allowing yourself to be present to the Divine presence.

• Explore the Mystical Tradition: Delve into the writings of the mystics. Let their experiences inspire you and guide you on your own journey. Read the works of Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich, or Thomas Merton, and allow their wisdom to nourish your soul.

• Reclaim the Language of Symbol: The Bible is rich in symbolism, but often we read it literally, missing the deeper layers of meaning. Study the symbolism of scripture, and explore how it resonates with your own inner experience.

• Seek Community: Find others who are also seeking the deeper dimensions of faith. Share your experiences, support each other on your journeys, and create a safe space for exploring the mystical and esoteric.

• Embrace the Mystery: Faith is not about having all the answers. It’s about embracing the mystery, the unknown, the unexplainable. It’s about surrendering to the wonder and awe of the Divine.

The church, at its best, is a vessel for spiritual transformation. It’s a place where we can encounter the living God, not just the God of dogma and doctrine. By reclaiming the mystical and esoteric traditions by embracing the silence and the mystery, we can rediscover the depths of our faith and experience the true transformative power of the Divine. The whispers are there, waiting to be heard. Are we listening?