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Medieval Mysticism

These days, we consider "mysticism" to be something which is eastern, or oriental in origin — that is, from India, China, or Japan. In fact, many modern books on spirituality refer extensively to oriental ideas — especially Hindu or Buddhist concepts. The implication is that mysticism — intimate, individual spiritual knowledge of a deity, deities, the universe, etc. — is inherently oriental. They further imply that western thought is materialistic, communal rather than individual, relying on institutions, and too dependent on "science" or scientific knowledge.

There is in the "New Age" movement something of a backlash, if you will, against western culture, including western religion. There is an emphasis on individual spirituality as opposed to communal or institutional spirituality. Only oriental spirituality works this way, or so the prevailing thought goes.

Nothing could be further from the truth, however. Throughout the Middle Ages, mysticism maintained a continuous tradition within the Church, and in fact, many mystical ideas have been incorporated into Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant teachings.

The Vast Range Of Mysticism

Mysticism has a vast range, and dates from proto-historical times. Perhaps the oldest mystical movement was Zoroastrianism, which arose in the Near East (western Iran & possibly northern Mesopotamia). Zoroastrianism either directly or indirectly inspired the mysticism found in Hindu religion (which led in turn to Buddhism & Jainism). Further, it inspired Greek & Roman mysticism, in the form of Orphism (a Greek movement) and Mithraism (a Roman movement). It also inspired the Egyptian cult of Isis/Osiris. Collectively these were known as the "mystery religions" because of their mysticism.

When Islam arose, late in the first millennium, a mystical element appeared within it, known as Sufism. Likewise, Judaism has developed its own long mystical tradition.

Christianity was, almost from the very beginning, a mystery religion, as well, with many mystical ideas at its core. Renowned Christian thinkers such as St. Paul, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Benedict, Bernard of Clairveaux, were all mystics, who inspired & directed later Christian thought. The mendicant movement (i.e. the friars) were inspired by the mysticism of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Dominic (hence, the twin mendicant orders, the Franciscans & the Dominicans). All of the great scholastics & intellectuals of the Middle Ages — men such as Grosseteste, Roger Bacon, Peter Abelard, and so on — were mystics at heart; their intellectual pursuits resulted directly from their mystical beliefs.

Mysticism In The West

Contrary to what many people believe about western thought, mysticism never disappeared. What happened was that metaphysics — a philosophical discipline originally begun by the ancient Greeks, many of whom were inspired by a mysticism of their own — was taken up again, primarily by clerical mystics, hoping thereby to increase their knowledge of the divine (which is the ultimate goal of any mystical concept).

The pursuit of metaphysics ultimately led to the "scientific method," a means by which to verify and refine metaphysical concepts (much as logic & rhetoric are tools for understanding). In turn this led to the foundation of modern science. Even well into the Renaissance, people we consider to be early scientists (Isaac Newton, Galileo, etc.) were essentially mystics, hoping that their studies of the physical world would reveal divinity to them. They believed that God had established the laws of nature — therefore, if you understand them, you get that much closer to God.

Science Vs. Spirituality

The idea that science and spirituality are opposites, is a relatively new concept, the result of the Industrial Age, and the growth of applied science (i.e. the use of scientific ideas to expand technology). These two things are not opposites, however, and need not cancel each other out. Many scientists are deeply spiritual people, and many spiritual people know a good deal about science.

In a very real way, we owe all of our amazing technology — including computers and the Internet, by way of which you're reading this document — to medieval mystics. In their drive to understand God more intimately, they also learned a good deal about the physical world, and we now enjoy the fruits of that labor. Occidental (western) mysticism is, indeed, alive & well, in spite of the fact that many people believe that mysticism is an oriental phenomenon.

Back to Dennis's Medieval Resources Page.