Order of Worship...

Mysticism (from the Greek μυστικός, mystikos, an initiate of a mystery religion)[1] is the pursuit of communion with, identity with, or conscious awareness of an ultimate reality, divinity, spiritual truth, or God through direct experience, intuition, instinct or insight. Mysticism usually centers on a practice or practices intended to nurture those experiences or awareness. Mysticism may be dualistic, maintaining a distinction between the self and the divine, or may be nondualistic. Differing religious traditions have described this fundamental mystical experience in different ways:

* Nullification and absorption within God's Infinite Light (Hassidic schools of Judaism)
* Complete non-identification with the world (Kaivalya in some schools of Hinduism, including Sankhya and Yoga; Jhana in Buddhism)
* Liberation from the cycles of Karma (Moksha in Jainism and Hinduism, Nirvana in Buddhism)
* Deep intrinsic connection to the world (Satori in Mahayana Buddhism, Te in Taoism)
* Union with God (Henosis in Neoplatonism and Brahma-Prapti or Brahma-Nirvana in Hinduism, fana in Sufism)
* Theosis or Divinization, union with God and a participation of the divine nature (in Catholic Christianity and Eastern Orthodoxy)
* Innate Knowledge (Irfan and Sufism in Islam)
* Experience of one's true blissful nature (Samadhi Svarupa-Avirbhava in Hinduism and Buddhism)
* Seeing the Light, or "that of God", in everyone (Quakerism)
* The Love of God, as in the Baha'i Faith, Christianity, Islam and many other spiritual traditions

Enlightenment or Illumination are generic English terms for the phenomenon, derived from the Latin illuminatio (applied to Christian prayer in the 15th century) and adopted in English translations of Buddhist texts, but used loosely to describe the state of mystical attainment regardless of faith.

Mystic traditions form sub-currents within larger religious traditions—such as Kabbalah within Judaism, Sufism within Islam, Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism within Hinduism, Christian mysticism within Christianity—but are often treated skeptically and sometimes held separately, by more orthodox or mainstream groups within the given religion, due to the emphasis of the mystics on direct experience and living realization over doctrine. Mysticism is sometimes taken by skeptics or mainstream adherents as mere obfuscation, though mystics suggest they are offering clarity of a different order or kind. In fact, a basic premise of nearly every mystical path, regardless of religious affiliation, is that the experiences of divine consciousness, enlightenment and union with God that are made possible via mystical paths, are available to everyone who is willing to follow the practice of a given mystical system. Within a given mystical school, or path, it is much more likely for the mystical approach to be seen as a divine science, because of the direct, replicable elevation of consciousness the mystical approach can offer to anyone, regardless of previous spiritual or religious training.

Some mystic traditions can exclude the validity of other traditions. However, mystic traditions tend to be more accepting of other mystic traditions than the non-mystical versions of their traditions. This is based on the premise that the experienced divinity is able to bring other mystics to their own tradition if necessary. Some, but not all, mystics are even open to the idea that their tradition may not be the most practical version of mystic practice.

 

A christian is not at liberty to accept a doctrine other than that of the cannonical scripture.
Since this wasn't included in the cannon of sixty-six books inspired by God and the fact that no Christian can add anything to or remove anything from the inspired work of God,thus anything not of inspired text would be considered part of a "different gospel".
Also christians are to look upon even an angel bringing a different gospel as accursed.
This is how the church has lived thoughout 2000 years of persecution,the scripture is an inspired work of God and protected from deviation by people that know the master by his voice.The inspired word.
Even if a christian wanted to accept this view they shall not because of their first love.

 

You certainly got me there. And so I am viewed for all to see.
I was at one time spurned by my own parent group, and as I was loved it caused some calamity in the church. It was to my joy later when they invited me back after consideration and had found in themselves new appreciation of a brother. After that I left to dwell in the world and became nondenominational.
As I say the purpose of canonization is to preserve the system.
Within this system are preserved symbolic archetypes of the human experience. There are many rooms in my fathers house. Many levels of comprehension and expression. There is a time and a purpose for everything.

 

we start with singing, usually prince or elton john
then the high priests says a few words about the importance of hatred
then we either

a. sacrifice a goat
b. sacrifice two goats
c. have cookies, coffee, and punch

and an orgy afterward

 

Where do I join!

 

Catholic?

It's the true faith. All other denominations are flawed in some way.

 

No problem-o

 

By His Stripes we are healed

 

I was taught that the reason unadulterated red wine and unleavened bread were used is that is what Jesus used and it is that which we are imitating. Also the reason for their being unadulterated and unleavened was to show that Jesus was with out sin.

As for keeping ones mind on the works of Jesus The Christ and the reason for such a sacrament, that is up to us to do, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in.

 

Yes I understand that this is up to the individual,however we would have many different levels of educated christians and the children(in Christ)as well as children in age,not to mention non christian visitors would need to have an understanding as to the way to approach The Lords table.So to accommodate everyone that is gathered without offending anyone, because of their level of understanding,I have been taught to explain in this manner.

 

OR, it could be that Jesus actually wanted us to "taste and see". The very nature of sacraments are that they are sensory. Sacraments are not some intangible thing, they are concrete physical signs of God's love. They are means of grace!

Saltines and grape juice make no sense because that is not what were are commanded to use! Jesus used wine (it was Passover, and they probably got a bit ripped--at least the disciples) and unleavened bread.

It isn't the "reason" of the sacrament for which we should be concerned, but the sacrament itself.

But then again, I am Catholic so we have a deep sacramental spirituality.

(Interesting fact for the day: the prophet Isaiah described heaven as a feast in which God provides the best wine and we all get drunk, but not too drunk)

 

As I say the purpose of canonization is to preserve the system.
Within this system are preserved symbolic archetypes of the human experience. There are many rooms in my fathers house. Many levels of comprehension and expression. There is a time and a purpose for everything.
At some point in our development tanasi we transcend all symbols in favor of the direct cognition of truth.

 

Why is the washing of feet not included in the sacrament of the last supper?

 

Hey yo, guys I gave a explanation of what I was taught,period.Whether you agree with it or not. this is still what most every christian church and seminary teaches.
If you disagree uh, does that mean I didn't learn it that way? NO.
Will I ignore what I've learned,because someone on a web site says it is wrong?No.
Do I necessarily agree with it?who cares, it is what I was taught. PERIOD

 

I really don't think that I would be trumpeting the SPIRITUALITY of the catholic church right now.

 

I got your drift, get it, yes I understand.
You asked me a question and I answered it as a christian and continued from that point of view. I understand that there are many levels of expression and never have I said that I believe this is the only way to skin such a cat.If you ask me a question about being a fireman, I will do my best to answer the question as the way I was taught to fight fires.THESE ARE NOT MY OPINIONS,this is what I was taught by mainstream Christianity.
These are not open for negotiations i.e no christian is going to change what they are taught because you or anyone else says there is a better way.
IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHAT"I" THINK.
The black robes threw indians off cliffs because they disagreed with their version of the scripture, do ya really think a christian is gonna change the familiar system preached over thousands of years because you say "hey I have found the real mystery of worship, FOLLOW MEEEE."
I said that I can only answer what I can understand,so if I am asked a question about a christian ritual I will answer from that perspective.
This is one of the problems with the church now, everyone is sooo brilliant,the light from their own ego blinds any truth that may rise from simplicity.

 

That you understand and appreciate my sensitivity is of itself a boon to me.
I appreciate your answers as they are. You have knowledge and training I do not possess as regards the cannons of christianity. I am not out to convert anyone. You have explained you are taught to teach to the end of fostering a particular sentiment. If I had had seminary training perhaps my dialogue would appear more appropriate, or as you suggest I may just consider myself too smart to recognize the truth.
Regardless I have a serious question about the communion sacrament and the absence of the foot washing beginning of the ceremony? Could you explain this to me? Are you forbidden to consider?
Truly tanasi, I have no objection with you and I apologize if that had been your impression.

 

I was just giving a contrasting viewpoint.

 

What does this mean? Is this part of "christian cannon"?

 

That I know of there is no christian doctrine that is forbidden,"study to show yourself approved".Look it up,your a smart fellow.