Scripture: Luke 5:16
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Thought for the Day: It is part of the mystical tradition to withdraw from the noise of society for extended periods of isolation. Mystics—those who cultivate intense, direct encounter with God, are found in every culture throughout history. These are people who have more than incidental encounters with God like Abraham, Noah or Moses. Mystics intentionally seek to strengthen and enhance their bond to the Universal Mind. Mystics are people like Paramahansa Yogananda, Buddha, and of course Jesus.

I don’t think Christians spend enough time with Jesus the mystic. Throughout Scripture, Jesus tries to teach both his disciples and the gathered crowds how to have a God experience. He insists time after time that his followers “will do even greater things” than he. The implication is clear: we are meant not to worship at the feet of Jesus, but rather to emulate him in every way. 

During his lifetime, Jesus tried to teach people how to jump-start their own mystical journeys. He knew, as does anyone who has been into the mystic, that the peaceful, loving kingdom of God is created when more of us have a consciously direct connection to God than not. This conscious connection to God shifts the balance of power in this world from greedy to giving, from fear-full to love-full. Becoming One with the Universal Mind dares us to live for the good of the many, rather than the selfish desires of the few.

There are clues throughout Scripture to help us develop the deep Oneness with God that is exhibited in Jesus. One of the most important is periods of isolation, where the distractions of the world cannot reach us. It’s important to find silent times—and lots of them, so we can feel the energy of God coursing through our veins, so we can fill our lungs with the breath of God, so we can listen to the still, small voice that is always encouraging us to connect. God’s voice is too often lost in the hustle and bustle of the world, whether that’s 1^st Century Palestine or 21^st Century America.

We are on a mystical journey. Accepting that idea is the first step on the path. Then, it’s also up to us to make space in our life for our personal God connection, so we can become the instruments of loving change so perfectly exemplified in Jesus.

Prayer: I commit myself to finding moments of solitude, even if it’s five minutes in a bathroom stall at work. Come to me in those peaceful times God, and continue my transformation into the mystic.