Religious Scholar

Critics of spiritual and mystical practices argue that introspection leads to self-centeredness and a callous disregard for others. Looking at commonalities among the world's religious traditions, nothing could be further from the truth. Underhill states that mysticism is the practice of experiencing and understanding the reality that underlies the impressions we receive from the senses. Without exception, those who have been acknowledged as true mystics know first-hand the reality that everything is connected to everything else, that for all our individual differences, we share a community of spirit. Christians state that we are all members in one body of Christ. Truly, whatever our religion or path, if we put our everyday cares aside and open up to the "big picture" through a meditative or contemplative practice, we experience the reality that we share in a life greater than our own. Such awareness, whether it comes from the samadhi of the Hindu, the satori of the Zen Buddhist or awakening as described in other traditions, inevitably leads to caring for others, even as ourselves. The Christian calls it love; the Buddhist, compassion; the Indian, the path of karma yoga, salvation through works. By stilling the mind and opening the heart, the spiritual person or mystic sees beyond him/herself and looks for the first time into a reality where every living being shares a common core, much as many streams call a great river their source. Service to others then becomes a spiritual practice in which this knowledge is expressed and celebrated in the world.   --Linda Brown Holt