Mystical Chapters Course
Mystical Chapters is a series of teachings that describe the foundations of mystical spirituality and the contemplative life. Each Chapter is a self-contained learning block that is dependent on the basics of the one before it.
The first seven "Chapters" will expound the mystical understanding of the need for the Journey; Meditation; Contemplation; Practicing the Presence; the relationship between Creation, Creator and the experience of Life; Enlightenment East and West; and Living a Contemplative Life. The second set of "Chapters" will discuss God Communion as an everyday experience.
Chapter One: "The Journey Begins."
In this Chapter I talk about how the journey can start with the incredible observations of science and the laws of nature, and lead to a new understanding of the six very alive and vibrant spiritual systems, ancient and modern. We describe the "One Truth" that courses through each system--the commonality that unites the "many" back to the "One." (23 pages)
Contents:
- In the Beginning
- Welcome to the Mystical Journey
- Contemplation: Our Idea of God
- Contemplation: Our Values
- Five Primary Values and Paradigms
- The Spiritual Journey As a Progression
- Contemplation: Innocence
- We Suffer Until We Become Whole
- Living from the Core of Our Being
- The Supreme Goal of Human Life
- Contemplation: The One Desire
- Contemplation: What Have I Come To Be?
- Happiness or Bliss?
- Contemplation: Spiritual Progress
- Summary and Questions
Chapter Two: "Turning In."
This is a comprehensive course on meditation: the practice of "turning in" to our Source. It was written as a "reading meditation" containing many, many descriptions of Silence, meditation and the practice of using a sound symbol to access our inner state of peace, love and bliss. There are detailed instructions in the practice of meditation as well as an extensive overview of how we can notice results. (64 pages)
Contents:
- Overview
- On the Nature of God.
- Elements of Spiritual Practice
- Introduction
- Nature of Life
- Responsiveness
- Purpose
- Relationship
- The Science of Peace: Infinite Correlation
- The Nature of Creation
- The Form of Life
- The Purpose of Life
- Spirituality: The Evolution of Man
- The Function of Spirituality
- The Forms of the Spiritual Process
- The Spiritual Life
- Purpose of Meditation
- Using the Name
- Listening to the Gayathri Mantra
- Other Chant Mantras
- Process of Meditation
- What to Understand about Silent Meditation
- A Story
Chapter Three: "Contemplation"
Contemplation is a gentle pondering. It is the process of allowing Truth and Love to become alive in your consciousness. It gives "form" to the "Formless." For most people, thinking about the Formless nature of God is very difficult, if not impossible, so contemplation bridges the gap between the "form" and the "Formless;" between creation and its Source. Contemplation allows the mind to dwell on an aspect of Formless Divinity, or a Truth expounded by Divinity to condition our understanding and response to life such that suffering ceases, and our true nature reveals itself effortlessly and naturally.
We have provided in the "Chapter" several hundred possibilities in the body of the booklet. These have been collected over the years and used to teach principles of spirituality and mysticism. Some belong to the East and some to the West, but ultimately we, and they, all belong to God! These kinds of "sacred thoughts" have been used by saints, sages, and seekers for millennia to condition the mind, comfort the heart, and nourish the soul on the journey home.
Contents:
- Why Contemplation?
- The Three Pillars
- Meditation
- Contemplation
- Practicing the Presence
- Methods of Contemplation
- Several Hundred Contempletive Gems