by Michael Timothy Mc Alevey

Created on: January 27, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

MYSTIC vs. MYSTICAL

The American Heritage Dictionary defines Mystic as:

1) Of or pertaining to religious mysteries or occult rites and practices2) Of or pertaining to mysticism or mystics3) Inspiring a sense of mystery and wonder4)Mystical (sense)5) MysteriousstrangeOne who practices or believes in mysticism or a specified form of mysticism.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines Mystical as:

1) Of or having a spiritual a reality or import that is not apparent to the intelligence
or senses2) Of, pertaining to, or stemming from direct communion with
ultimate reality or God3) Of or founded on objective experience: a mystical
religion4) Mystic (sense)5) Unintelligible: cryptic.

Obviously number four, in both definitions, creates an interchangeable situationbut when examining other parts of the definitions, I see tremendous differences between the two words.

On one hand a Mystic appears to need ritual and tools to conduct their business. On the other hand someone who is Mystical appears only to need to be Mysticalwhich means being spiritual in a manner not apparent to the senses.

And I would assume, when defining senses, the reference is probably aimed at "normal" senses contained in the mind of "normal" people.people who don't have Mystical qualities, or don't think they do.

The part of the Mystical definition that stimulates my interest the most is..# 2.

WHEN ONE THINKS THAT THEY ARE IN COMMUNION WITH THE ULTIMATE REALITY OR GOD.

When this communion takes place.the attitude from the multitudes

changes

dramatically

and often times drastically.

And those changes can result in opinions.and.or..actions that could be of negative consequences to the one having communion.

The thought of an interruption while having communion with the Ultimate Reality seems like a very rude form of interruption.

Of course it is extremely important to realize that when one says they are having communion with the Ultimate Realityit is very possible that it might not be a true communionit might be a pretend communion, or a communion with a lesser beingon a lower level.maybe just participating in a smaller piece of toastperhaps just a crumba nibble.

AND I MUST INTERJECT HERE AND SAY ONE IMPORTANT THING. NOI AM NOT REFERRING TO ANY BEING OF EVIL NOTORIETY.

When one speaks of the Ultimate Reality, it is fairly certain that between the human experience and the Ultimate Reality experiencethere are probably numerous levels of experience.with numerous types of entitiesand none of them have anything to do with

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