Is Christian mysticism an oxymoron or is it a legitimate path for a Christian?

It's a matter of definition.

A lot of Christians are confused by the term because it is very much misused today. They are right to condemn it the way that they mean it, as quite a few people call themselves mystics.

Christian mysticism is the belief that you can be closer to God by meditating on His word, but other people mean it a different way then they call themselves mystics. See Union With God for a brief overview.

Mysticism leads one to union or unity. There are many ways to achieve this union. Remember Jesus said,"I and the Lord are One." If one uses Christian symbols and the teachings of Jesus to achieve this spiritual state then it is called Christian mysticism. For more information visit: Christian Mysticism

I myself am a Christian Mystic. I see God's fingerprints in all of nature and it draws man; not to itself but to it's creator. I believe it is the job of the mystic to call other believers to see the majestic and mysterious nature of God, to remind others to focus on the simple joys of life, to bring imagery to a flat and sterile church. Why is the burning of insence a good and beautiful thing, because as we see the smoke rising we remember that our prayers are like insence to God as they drift before his throne. Mystics also understand that the spiritual world's veil is there and thinner than most American Christians are comfortable with. We perceive evil and heavenly spirits, blessings and curses. We know and remind others to be mindful that surrounding yourself with negative people, thoughts, and environments open us up to demonic oppression. We must cleanse our hearts, minds, and space to reduce the square foot space of our battle ground with the enemy.

Christian mystics can and do believe and recite the confessions of our faith with conviction just as our main stream Christian brothers and sisters do. It is my hope that my fellow church members find their Christian experiences enhanced by walking this journey side by side with me…a mystic.

Mysticism tries to bring oneself to a union and awareness of and with God. It teaches you to believe (or understand) that you and God are one, that God is in you and you in Him, and to realize (or be aware of, is the better term) the presence of Him is in and of everything in the universe. Your consciousness (or spirit, soul) comes from the Life Force that is God, (but don't think of God as just a "Life Force", that's not Him at all, you watch too many movies) which means that makes everything living, a part of Him. Everything in the Material world and Spiritual world is of God. Mysticism also teaches that God did make man in the image and likeness of Himself. Meaning, He has the same human characteristics as we do, but infinitely more so. He has love, compassion, warmth, humor, irony- things you'd only think you'd see in a human being. But that is what makes humans so special, because we are literally the image of God. He is the Original Soul, The Being that always Was, always Is, and always Will be. Just like the souls you and I have. He laughs and makes jokes, He can feel, He thinks, He's infinitely creative, everything humans can do He can do infinitely greater. Don't think of Him as separate or different from you, He is exactly like you, only Perfect in Goodness (His Will Is only Good). This is why He so loves us and always has compassion for us.

Mysticism only tries to help you realize this concept that people have forgotten. Its the basis for life. Its in Scripture. It does state we are the Image of The Living God, we do have the same qualities as Him, He does infinitely love us, and we are a part of Him. It states that He is everywhere, in everything and of everything. It states that He is The Alpha and The Omega, The Beginning and The End, The First and The Last. He knows what we do, what we see, what we think, what we hear, what we take to heart, what we ignore in our hearts. Nothing is hidden from God.

The definition of Mysticism is really misunderstood. Yes, you probably shouldn't go so far into it if you don't want to, because you don't know what you might get into. But I'm telling you the parts and concepts of it that aren't bad, and are encouraged in the Bible. If you'd like, you can meditate, whether silently outdoors, or indoors while reading the Word. Meditation on the Word is appropriate, and is what you do every time you read the Word. You read it, understand it, take it in, and maybe believe in it. Meditation outdoors just brings you back to reality that you live in this huge vast never ending universe. You smell the fresh air, the birds chirping, the bees buzzing (unless it's winter), the feel of grass (or if you live in the desert, dirt), the beautiful sky (whether its blue or gray, God made it beautiful) the wind blowing in your ears and on your face. This is all meditation is, and it brings such a peace to you that you won't imagine. It silences all your thoughts, and brings you to reality that all is well, and you are alive, and there's a God who loves you and will never ever stop. It shows you what truly matters in life.

So, that's all mysticism is. Just trying to have you know God more. At least, that's my take on it.

Edit: I encourage reading the book, "Proof Of Heaven", by Eben Alexander. It's a #1 New York Times Best Seller and definitely worth the read. You might learn things that you've never understood before about the spirit, the spirit world, the physical world, and even the brain (how it doesn't produce consciousness, unlike opposite theories of other scientists). God Bless!

Christian Mysticism has a long and honourable tradition. You can read the histories of many holy Christian mystics. Wikipedia will give you a good starting point. Meditation is only one aspect. For a working definition, try: ""that part, or element, or Christian belief and practice that concerns the preparation for, the consciousness of, and the effect of [...] a direct and transformative presence of [the Christian] God" (Bernard McGinn). In effect mystics are those who make real and experience for themselves things that many Christians take as theoretical or abstract - e.g. the presence of God, union with God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Here are some well-know people and practices that form part of the Christian Mystic tradition:

• Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola
• Meister Eckhart
• Brother Lawrence
• Julian of Norwich
• Teresa of Avila
• St John of the Cross
• Thomas Merton