Has the warmth from a sunbeam ever triggered a moment of pure bliss?
Has there ever been a split second where your mind was so still that you became aware of having stepped outside yourself?
Did you come across a deer on a trail and suddenly feel flooded with a love and connection to all of life?
Were you playing with your child one day when your heart just opened up?
These sacred moments are the essence of what some call spiritual ecstasy, or the mystical experience. These events often trigger a spiritual awakening.
Everything stops, and it’s as if we see clearly for the first time and feel at one with all of life. The joy from this state of being emanates from deep within our souls. We are aware of a palpable pure goodness that is in and through everything and everyone.
But we don’t “think it” we feel this experience intuitively with our hearts.
That’s what makes the experience mystical – the connection of our heart to the beating heart of the Universe. It requires no words. In fact, it’s indescribable and words can’t do it justice.
I strive to feel this connection in my daily meditations, but like anything in life you can’t force it. It comes randomly when it wants to, and where it wants to – if at all. It’s not something I’ve experienced often, but the few times I’ve been graced by the mystical experience are forever etched upon my mind.
The first time I had a mystical experience I was 17. I was visiting the tomb of Saint Dionysios on the island of Zakynthos in Greece. The saint‘s remains are kept in a locked glass tomb. Even though he’s been dead for centuries his body hasn’t decomposed; which is believed to be a sign that he’s a true saint. On occasion the body emits a beautiful perfume of unknown origin. He’s known as the “walking saint” as when he performs his miracles the tomb cannot be opened, and the people experiencing the miracle report seeing St. Dionysios. The bottom of his slippers are constantly wearing out and need replacing due to his “walking.”
When it happened the most incredible perfume wafted out of the casket. I heard angelic music and was overcome by the force of a loving energy that engulfed me. I was so immersed in the experience that I wasn’t aware I was sobbing until I heard crying and realized it came from me. I had to run out of the church to compose myself. I tried hard to remember the music, but it faded quickly from my memory. Needless to say, the experience made a lasting impression on me.
While I don’t consider myself religious, I’ve always been extremely connected to my spirituality. Even as a child I was aware that there was more to life than could be seen. I’ve had other mystical experiences since, but none so profound where I heard music or smelled perfume. After the experience I wanted to know why? What did it mean? And, what should I now do with this experience? I’ve thought about it over the years and feel the experience was given to me to validate my desire to devote myself to my spiritual growth.
The mystical experience gives us a momentary glimpse of our soul‘s true home, the place we will return after we permanently leave our bodies. It’s programmed into us to want to merge back into the ocean of pure consciousness that our soul emerged from. It’s as if we become aware of just how homesick we really are for the place of our true origins. This is the moment when you really know for sure that we truly are spiritual beings having a human experience.
It occurs universally around the world and across all religions. All who experience the mystical experience describe it with similar qualities. For many, it leaves them permanently changed. A desire to do good, emanate goodness and to inspire others to seek this transcendent state is common.
I believe that at some point, we all want to feel connected to something bigger than the lives we lead. To experience how more expansive we are than the bodies we’re confined to, and to escape the boundaries of the mind. These feelings may be the first stirrings of our spiritual awakening.
While a mystical experience can strike anytime with or without a yearning for it, the more you devote yourself to your spiritual growth the more likely it is that you’ll have a mystical experience.
And, it’s a given that the mystical experience will leave an indelible mark upon you – and that you in turn will leave an indelible mark upon others, as your inner light gently stirs the flame of spiritual awakening in those whom you meet on your path.
Have you had a mystical experience? Please share it with us and how it affected you.
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Hey, thanks for directing me to this article. It’s one of the most profound things I can think of. I’ve come to experience it in a very short amount of time after starting my spiritual journey, so it must be very close to our inner hearts.
I was very much an agnostic, pure-scientific approach type of guy until I found The Power of Now. After that book, a whole new world opened up. I started having wonderful things happened. Even last night I was astral projecting. But one of my favorite experiences happened in the park, right after reading that book.
I remember putting it up, and walking along a pathway surrounded by trees. The way I felt inside could only be described as expansive. There was no more “me” with problems or anything. It’s almost like being in a movie, where the last final victory has been achieved, and the hero is walking into the sunset to amazing music. Everything was ALIVE, and fantastic. Colors were literally perceived as more vivid, almost a different quality altogether.
Quite fantastic. I suppose these are called “Satori” or taste of enlightenment in Zen. And yes, I definitely want more too. 🙂
I wrote about this in a post entitled “The Power of Now” if you’re interested. It’s nice to meet someone to share these things with!
Hi Fred,
Yes, I would love more of these Satoris too! I love your description of what happened in the park. I had that happen a few times when I was walking outside and it was magnificent! The same feelings came over me of expansiveness, oneness and vivid colors. What a gift those moments are!
I’d love to read your post. Thank you!
It’s a pleasure having you visit!
Hi Angela, it’s really something to have a mystical experience, that moment when we do go out of ourselves and find ourselves absorbed into something else, in a beautiful breath-taking scenery perhaps. 😉 It is true indeed that when we forget ourselves, it is when we really find ourselves. In a way, I am very much reminded of LOVE. True love is not being self conscious at all, but in being absorbed in one’s beloved.
Hi Joyce,
Oh, you’ve put things so beautifully here! Yes, I couldn’t agree more: when we forget ourselves we do indeed find ourselves. I think comparing the mystical experience to love is very appropriate too. Being in love we want to do so much for the other person, and we want for them to beam with happiness and joy – this state of being fully absorbed in the love is so similar to the mystical experience. Again you’re so right and I totally agree with you. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful comments here!
that was very interesting. and thank your for sharing that wisdom! i had to great experiences while i was meditating and listen to music!! one of them i was listen to skyys beatiful music on mayan propecy web page and i felt high in mind and body!! it was like my adrinalen was pumpen but it felt great and as i went out side i looked up in the clouds and i seen a key with a heart through it!! and it was amazing and it was kinda telling me that i unlocked my heart!! 🙂
second one was i had just got meditating for a good hour or two and went to lay down and visualize me desires and had an unbealivable experiencce! it felt like the universe was runnen through my body and it felt soo complete! it was a tingling body through my whole body gor a good 45 mins!! it was such a moving experience! thanks for listenen i really apreciated it!! have an amzing day! 🙂
Hi Joseph,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog.
You’ve had the most amazing experiences!
Seeing that heart with the key through it – wow! I’m sure that your heart did open during that time. What a symbol from the Universe. How magnificent.
And then the Universe connecting to you like that with the vibration.
I’m so glad you told me all about it.
Keep me posted on your development.
I think you life is changing in wonderful ways!
You remind me of the time I visited Santorini, 30 years ago. When I stepped into the dig at the end of the island, I was overcome by the sense that I had lived there before. I could see what the town looked like thousands of years ago, and see if more clearly than what was in fact before my eyes. It was wonderful. I did feel I had felt my soul. Thank you for reminding me.
Hi Lisa,
So nice of you to visit here~! I love Santorini. I haven’t been there in 28 years. Oh, how I’d love to go back though.
What a beautiful experience you had. You must have lived there in a past life for sure. You definitely were transported in time. It just shows that what science says is true – time is a human construct and is relative. The past and future are all happening in the present. You were lucky enough to actually experience that. Very cool!
Thanks so much for commenting. It’s a pleasure “chatting” with you.
Beautiful post, Angela. Thank you.
I have found that mystical experiences are a double-edged sword. They are amazing and transcendent, and contain glimpses of the truth of reality, but centering one’s life around seeking them can create a lot of suffering. It’s a trap to want something that we don’t have and cannot control, no matter how delicious it is.
In the waiting and hoping for the next deep experience, we miss what is actually happening right now. It is absolutely possible to live the moments of our lives in the experience of oneness, in the heart and not the mind, in the understanding that who we are is so much greater than our bodies and personalities. It is possible to awaken and know eternal happiness and peace. From this realization, any experiences can come and go, yet we remain here, whole, alive, and undisturbed.
Hi Gail,
You’re so right, I wouldn’t advise that anyone center their life around the mystical experience. We can’t live chasing after something we have no control over. Maybe this is a constant state of being for a saint, but not for us “regular folk.” These experiences are elusive and come, as I said, if and when they want to. We do need to live in the now and experience the wholeness of our lives. It’s the icing on the cake if out of the blue we find ourselves in that delicious mystical reverie.
Thank you so much for visiting here and adding to the conversation with your very meaningful comments!
Angela,
What I like about your posts is always about connecting with inner self, being aware of what we feel. I guess that is what mystical feeling is. I always have been pro science and modern realism but I am beginning a journey to inner wisdom that I find it very encouraging. Thanks for bringing inner mystical side of me, out in open.
Hi Preeti,
I’m glad you like my posts! That means a lot to me, my friend.
Connecting to the inner self is my dearest passion, and I’m so glad you find that awareness increasing for you. I am pro science too, but I believe that science is catching up to ancient wisdom. I’m so glad to bring out your inner wisdom!
Thank you so much for your lovely words Preeti!
I think I’ve had hundreds of mystical experiences and many come from mothering my four children (now adults). I’ve also been blessed with 3 grandchildren and they add to more mystical experiences.
I was raised on a produce farm and we worked outdoors from the time we were 5 until we left home. Again it gave me many mystical opportunities. I can’t imagine life without them. Thank you for reminding me of these, it’s easy to take anything for granted.
Hi Tess,
Wow, you are so blessed to have had so many mystical experiences. How wonderful.
I’m glad the post reminded you of your days growing up on the produce farm. I think being out in nature and doing real “work” where you can be fully present is really conducive to the mystical experience.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting Tess.
Yes! It is those mystical experience moments that keep us going, keep us searching for the next one. It reminds me of learning to play golf. Out of nowhere you hit an amazing shot that feels so good and then you try for the next year to have the experience again. These mystical experiences do seem to come when we least expect them… I guess because it is when we are out-of-mind and therefore not ‘thinking’ about it. Can’t wait until my next one! And unlike my golf game, they are coming more an more frequently 🙂
Hi Tisha,
Welcome to my blog!
Great way to put it: I guess because it is when we are out-of-mind and therefore not ‘thinking’ about it.
That makes total sense!
Glad to hear that you’re having your share of mystical experiences!
Thanks so much for visiting here and leaving a comment!
Beautiful Angela!
Loved the part about feeling with our hearts and not thinking with our minds. If we allow more feeling and less thinking, profound things can be experienced.
Time to RT 🙂
Hi Manal,
How are you? I hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Yes, we must feel this experience with our hearts, not the rational mind.
True, more awareness from recognizing our feelings and from empathy for others would do wonders in the world. And, from my perspective as an intuitive less thinking and going with feelings unlocks the door to your intuition as well.
Thank you so much for stopping by and chatting with me Manal.
It’s always a true pleasure having you here. Thanks so much for the RT too!
What a lovely piece, Angela. I enjoyed it very much, and especially the description of your first moment of transcendence. I sometimes wonder if some of us are more “wired” (don’t know how to say it) for experiencing the mystical. I’ve now had so many experiences of it, I can’t count, and I sort of feel like it’s my nature — although of course there are times when the capacity is dulled or slowed, the connections not so sure. But I can be transported very easily these days, and it gets easier as I age.
Weirdly enough, one of the most powerful mystical experiences I’ve ever had came while driving the loop around the busiest airport in the United States. A plane took off almost right above me, and another was landing, others circling in the clouds, my friend up there, coming in from Europe, and so many were going and coming from all over the world — and the traffic was so packed, and the people were bustling everywhere, and there was a symphony of glass windows and asphalt and roaring engines and conversations and crosswalks and rolling suitcases and traffic cops and busyness — and I suddenly just felt this incredible love for all the people, washing over me in a wave. Even thinking back on it now, I get tears in my eyes.
Wow! Meredith, that’s beautiful. Somehow amid all the confusion and chaos your spirit breached the physical world and made a connection that came over you in a wave. Lovely!
Thank you so much for sharing that with us here. I really appreciate your adding so much to this conversation.
That’s a moving story, Angela. I believe miracles happen everyday… sometimes in the smallest of ways. Just last weekend I was out walking with my Parrot Shakespeare, when a dog came around that was not well trained and clearly wanted to see what was going on with the bird on my soldier. The dog got very excited and was clearly not obeying or relenting… when out of nowhere another big dog came around and chased him away. Just as quickly as he appeared the ‘rescue’ dog was gone and back to his owner in the distance… he gave a simple wave and disappeared.
Hi Rob,
That’s amazing. The intelligence of the Universe never ceases to amaze me!
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting. I love the name of your parrot!