How to Build a Modern Day Mystic Lifestyle
- Rev Dr Lora Coleman
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Being a modern-day mystic involves embodying a deeply spiritual life while remaining grounded in the realities of the modern world. Mysticism transcends religious boundaries and focuses on direct, personal experiences with the divine or universal truth.
Here's a guide to help you embrace the path of a modern-day mystic:
1. Develop a Regular Spiritual Practice
It should be personal and have meaning for you in the way you connect with the Divine.
Meditation: Spend time in stillness to connect with your inner self and to the Divine. Explore practices such as mindfulness, meditation, chanting, or contemplative prayer.
Live Intentionally with Spirit: Communicate with the Divine in your own way—connect with Spirit through meditation, prayer, contemplative silence, reading of sacred texts or enjoying poetry, science articles, nature walks, or art in a museum- being ever aware that Spirit is always present.
Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582), a Spanish mystic, contemplative writer, and reformer of the Carmelite order said: "God is present among the pots and pans.”
She was taught us that the Divine is present in ordinary life—nothing can be outside of it.
Rituals: Create daily or seasonal rituals that align with and bring depth to your spiritual beliefs- like lighting candles, using sacred objects, building altars or observing natural cycles and seasons.
2. Study Sacred Wisdom
Aquaint yourself with the sacred Mystic texts of various traditions (e.g., the Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Tao Te Ching, Quran, and mystical works like Rumi's poetry or the writings of Meister Eckhart).
Look at modern-day Mystic like Richard Rohr, Thomas Merton, Eckhart Tolle, Maribai Starr, Carl McColman, Wayne Teasdale.
Learn about mystical traditions different than your own background- such as Sufism, Buddhism, Kabbalah, Vedanta, or shamanism. Explore deeper into what attracts you or what you expereince a natural alignment with.
3. Connect with Nature
Spend time in nature to attune yourself to the rhythms and energies of the earth. Work toward a lifestyle of aligning with seasonally shifts and openings.
Engage in practices like forest bathing, stargazing, or working with the elements (fire, water, earth, air), drumming.
4. Cultivate Awareness and Presence
Practice mindfull awareness at all times that you are directly connected to the Divine. A mystic recognizes the sacred even in the mundane.
Practice gratitude and see every experience as an opportunity for spiritual growth.
5. Serve Others
A Mystic's life is rooted in love and service to others. Share kindness, compassion with those around you.
Volunteer, or simply be a source of peace and understanding in your community.
6. Work with Intuition and Energy
Consider exploring your intuitive abilities through practices like divination, energy healing, or dream work, as you feel drawn.
Learn to trust your inner guidance and the voice and stir of the Divine.
7. Integrate Spirituality into Daily Life
Approach work, relationships, and even mundane tasks as opportunities for spiritual connection and expression.
Take time for stillness and quiet to connect more deeply with Spirit, hear more clearly and process what you receive.
8. Embrace the Mystery
Mysticism is about living in awe of the Great Mystery of life and acceting that not everything needs to be understood logically or intellectually. Mysticism allows us to drop out of the head and into the heart; out of "thinking" and into "expereincing" the Divine.
9. Build a Community
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support your journey.
Join spiritual circles, interfaith groups, or online communities where you can share and learn.
10. Follow Your Unique Path
Being a Mystic is in no way about fitting into a mold. It’s about walking your own sacred journey with authenticity, through which you bring into the world the Love and Light of the Divine.
© Lora Coleman
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