Mysticism

Turner forms a picture of mysticism. When one enters into a pilgrimage they have the ability to have a “religious experience” or an experience with God of some sort. In class the other day, Professor Redick described an experience one of his students had in Ireland one year. They were on a hike and his student was walking through a cloud and he stopped in his tracks. He stopped because he saw a ram. This student believed that the ram spoke to him and asked him, “Are you worth enough to pass.” The student believed this was God speaking to him. In this depiction, the ram was Jesus and Jesus (the ram) replied and said, “I have paid it all for you. You are worth.” The student passed and continued to walk up the mountain. He then was above the clouds. This entire experience helped the student connect to God. It was a moment of mysticism. This story caused me to think about how God moves. He speaks to us when we least expect it and when in unique ways. “The pilgrim traverses a mystical way; the mystic sets forth on an interior spiritual journey.” (xxxvii)

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