curious about mysticism

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I'm an atheist and have never been religious. I don't like organized religion or anything like but as a teenager I'm trying to find an identity and stuff and I love the whole mystic thing and I was just wondering if any of you guys know anything about Kabbalah or anything like that or would suggest anything...

It sounds like you may be interested in an alternative religion. But nothing too conformist, yeah?

ill never b religious. im not planning on becoming a wiccan or shamanist or anything like that. I just want to understand the universe and reality. I do think there are some "mystics" who just seem too mystical to just be full of crap and not know something most don't.
I want to understand soomething deeper than "The Secret"

Since there's nothing "deep" about The Secret whatsoever, this is a very good thing!

IMO, the mystical aspects of religions make much more sense than the dogmatic and fearful aspects.

What do mean by "sense?"

Have you looked into the Starseed phenomenon? Why don't you like shamanism?
Is it too tribal or primitive in your opinion?

How about starting your spiritual search by reading some psychology books?
Start with the textbook basics and expand from there.

"To know God is to know oneself."

Isn't that on the brochure for Satanism??

Don't be so paranoid. Knowledge is not as bad as the evil apple it's made out to be.

Paranoid, never. Though I'm sure you understand the distinction of egotism within the realm of Satanism? And the understanding of lesser religions intended to blind those who seek solstice within them.

Anyway, it's always nice to see you Magnus. I thought you left perpetually.
Anyone seen skafather??

OMG, I must also mention that Pete's gotta pic on display: Go Pete!!

I understand the fallacy of egoism. I haven't completely destroyed mine yet but, I don't think it's evil so much as a human animal trait.

Mysticism is about transcending the ego and tapping into the cosmic consciousness. I'm not sure it's possible to do that without first recognizing the ego and how it's affected by our environment and genetics.

I dabbled in Kabbalistic studies. There are some good online study courses. You'll need a Rabbi who can interpret the Hebrew language to understand it. I like Hasidim mysticism too.

@Averick, it's nice to run into you too. My computer died. The power was always going out and I guess it took a toll on the equipment. I didn't save anything. Tragic...

Sam Harris, author of -The End of Faith- is an atheist who has some very positive ideas about (so-called) mysticism. You might want to read what he has to say.

ruveyn

I hope you weren't writing anything; you proabably were. Sorry. I hope your memory is eidetic or close to.

One of my favorite writers was a hasidic jew: Franz Kafka. I love me some Kafka.

"Mysticism" usually involves believing in other things as silly as gods without actually being gods. If you want to understand the universe, learn about math, physics, chemistry. The real beauty of the universe will come to you by experiencing love, beauty, and wonder. Isn't reality amazing enough with its unending sea of shimmering stars and unfathomable scale from quantum to cosmic, with time reaching backwards and forwards into infinity, without making s**t up about mother earth or chakras? The real spiritual experiences are in what we know to exist, and what we will find out in the future the old fashioned way: Real human progress and insight. Mysticism just helps con-artists sell you magic healing bean juice. Sam Harris is derided by his peers for his double-standards pertaining to skepticism.

Before you go off in one direction it's important to realize that no matter how "mystical" someone seems than can be utterly full of crap... or possibly mistaken. What makes this person so special that they see the "truth" and others don't? Always keep your eyes open as you explore the many belief systems around the world. There are enough UFO/Secret/Scientology/Christian etc. believers that sound so utterly convincing, articulate and wise. The important thing is that they can't all be right. Don't believe something because of your emotions, or because it sounds cool. Find out for yourself what is *true*. And realize that there's a whole pile of steaming BS out there, and that 90% of people believe it doesn't make it so.

protest - mysticism is basically about direct experiential knowledge of Reality. Whether or not you call this Reality 'God' depends very much on your path. Buddhists, for example, probably wouldn't, but when you compare notes, their experiences and those of the Western mystics often seem very similar.

This book:
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Wo ... 0749917768
is one that I own, and I'd recommend it as a useful introductory guide to what mysticism is, through the ages and across belief systems.

On the actual nature of the mystical experience, Bucke's Cosmic Consciousness
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Wo ... 0749917768
is a little dated in places, but still a classic in its field.

I would get an overview first before studying any one particular path...