Praying With Julian of Norwich

Day 2: What is mysticism? What kind of people are mystics?

Since throughout this retreat we will say that Julian was a mystic, it might be a good idea to talk a little about what mysticism is.

Mysticism basically means a very intense, personal experience of God. For the mystic it is as if the barriers or boundaries between themselves and God are stripped away and they have moments when they experience God directly. In some sense the mystic experiences moments of union with God. For Julian of Norwich this was an overwhelming experience of the immediacy of God’s love and presence.

However, even the greatest mystics don’t have this kind of direct experience all the time, day in and day out. They still have to do the dishes, wash the laundry and fix the meals. But unlike most of us, mystics have experiences where God is absolutely present, not the idea of God, or feelings about God or images of God, but a direct experience of God, a sense of being one with God. For some mystics this is an experience that doesn’t have any strong images or feelings, but is simply a letting go. But other mystics, including Julian, tend to have visions, images and very strong feelings as part of their experience of God.

So how did Julian become a mystic? Did she just happen to be walking along one day, minding her own business, when out of nowhere she felt that she was one with God? In a word, no. For mystics in general and Julian in particular, their mystical experiences are the result of a lifetime of prayer, contemplation, and a disciplined spiritual life. Mystical experiences are definitely a gift, but like all mystics, Julian was also a deeply spiritual, prayerful woman even before she had these experiences.

There is also an essential paradox in the lives of most mystics. On the one hand they experience the direct and overwhelming love of God on many occasions. But many also go through long periods of suffering, both physical and mental. Mystics are frequently misunderstood by people in their own times. They often struggle with what to do about their mystical experiences. Having these kinds of mystical experiences is not always easy. The mystics sense of union with God often leads them to places they don’t necessarily want to go. Their lives are seldom easy.

In some ways, though, the lives of mystics are difficult because they are pioneers. They are among those rare people who take their spiritual lives and their faith so seriously that they explore the depths of faith and relationship with God that most of us can barely imagine. But as pioneers they also came back and share what it means to experience God’s love and presence in such an intense and powerful way.

Mystics also provide a path that we can follow. In Julian we see new images of God that stretch us. She shows us the depth of God’s longing for us and encourages us to persevere in prayer even through dryness and difficulties.

Exercise: Reflecting on our faith life

Spend some substantial time reflecting on these questions. You may want to use a journal or some other creative way of exploring where you are in your faith journey. Take as much time as you need.

- What is your relationship with God like? You may want to compare your relationship with God to your relationship to family members. Is God a distant cousin you only exchange Christmas cards with? Is God like your spouse when you were first married? Is God like your favorite aunt that you can’t wait to get together with? Is God like the uncle who has always intimidated you?

- What is your prayer life like? Does one of the following statements capture your prayer life? "I manage to pray once in a while" "It is very fulfilling, the most important part of my life" "I pray in Church but not at home" "What prayer life?"