March 28, 2009

How does one know if they’ve had a mystical experience?

This is like asking “Is your skin wet when you get out of the shower?”

Believe me, you’ll know. There is no mistaking it. You will never be the same again. After it has taken place, a love greater than anything that could originate from our limited human existence surges out of you. This love is not only directed toward others, but toward yourself as well.

That’s the part I found hardest to understand after the dust settled. It has always been easy for me to love others, but when it came to loving myself, it was a different story.

The moment I had my mystical experience, I knew something incredible had taken place because I suddenly loved and accepted myself just the way I am and it was fine to be me. No excuses. It was divine.

 What can I do to make myself have a mystical experience?

You can’t make yourself have a mystical experience. When your soul is ready, it will happen. According to D.T. Suzuki:

When [the] mind is matured for satori [enlightenment] it tumbles over one everywhere. An inarticulate sound, an unintelligent remark, a blooming flower, or a trivial incident such as stumbling is the condition or occasion that will open [the] mind to satori. Apparently, an insignificant event produces an effect which in importance is altogether out of proportion. The light touch of an igniting wire, and an explosion follows which will shake the very foundation of the earth…When the mind is ready for some reasons or others, a bird flies, or a bell rings and you at once return to your original home; that is, you discover your now real self.

There are however, certain things you can do to help open yourself to the possibility. I will write a future post about this.

Is it possible to have a mystical experience without my knowing it has occurred?

No chance. It can certainly happen without your expecting it; it can happen without your input, but you will know if and when it does.