"Mysticism is a way of describing an existential ecstasy that is outside and more than the conscious self. It is about releasement and detachment." With these words, Simon Critchley cracks open the heart of mysticism—not as some arcane, otherworldly pursuit but as a deeply human experience, accessible in surprising ways. From medieval theology to punk music, mysticism challenges the boundaries of what it means to be human. Let’s dive into the key ideas and their practical resonance for our modern lives.
Mysticism as Ecstasy: Losing Yourself to Find More
Mysticism isn’t about achieving something. It’s about losing something: the hard edges of the self, the ego’s grip on certainty. Critchley describes it as "existential ecstasy," a state where self-consciousness dissolves, leaving us profoundly open to the world. It’s that fleeting moment when music brings you to tears or when the lines of a poem feel like they’re speaking directly to your soul.
Takeaway: To experience this, cultivate moments of surrender. Listen to music without multitasking. Stand before a painting and just look. Mysticism begins with vulnerability.
The Importance of Negation: Finding God in Absence
Critchley emphasizes apophatic theology, the "negative way." God, being infinite, cannot be described through affirmations. Instead, we strip away layers of what God is not. Julian of Norwich’s famous imagery—darkness, the abyss, the "cloud of unknowing"—echoes this path of negation.
Practical Insight: Apply this to your inner life. Instead of asking what success or happiness is, try asking what it isn’t. Strip away assumptions. What remains might surprise you.
Julian of Norwich: Love at the Center
At the heart of Critchley’s exploration is Julian of Norwich’s Showings. Her theology of love is radical and tender, challenging hierarchical notions of God. She writes, "See, I am in all things. See, I do all things." Her vision of Christ as Mother emphasizes the nurturing, immanent presence of the divine.
Why This Matters: In a world often divided by dogma, Julian reminds us that divine love transcends boundaries, inviting us to find holiness in daily life.
The Arts as Pathways to the Mystical
Critchley extends mysticism beyond religion, finding it alive in the arts—particularly music. From the haunting melodies of Gregorian chant to the raw energy of punk and Krautrock, music becomes a medium of "godless mysticism." These experiences, he suggests, dissolve the self and invite us into something larger.
Challenge: Revisit a song or piece of music that moves you deeply. Listen without distraction. Notice what it does to your sense of self.
Key Ideas to Shape Your Perspective
- Decreation: Letting go of attachments and the ego mirrors the emptying process described by mystics. This isn’t self-denial—it’s liberation.
- The Hazelnut: Julian’s metaphor for the entirety of creation, small yet sustained by God, invites us to see the divine in all things. Even the mundane is miraculous.
- Kindness as Theology: Julian’s rejection of sin emphasizes the goodness of creation. Imagine a world where kindness—not judgment—is the starting point of spirituality.
- The Crowned Knot: Critchley’s interpretation of T.S. Eliot’s symbol connects mysticism to redemption. Love holds the torment of sin and transforms it.
Mysticism in Today’s World
Critchley’s brilliance lies in his ability to connect medieval mysticism to modern life. Whether through Julian’s visions, the surrender found in music, or the "ascending negations" of apophatic thought, he shows how mysticism isn’t confined to the cloister—it’s woven into the fabric of life.
You don’t need to believe in God to experience existential ecstasy. You only need a willingness to let go, to encounter the unknown, to be open to the world.
Take this with you: Mysticism isn’t about answers. It’s about living the questions—and finding yourself changed along the way.