This is very interesting as a glimpse on how people are replacing the old church like structures. I hope that most of this places and practices are not new forms of self delusion, but focus on belonging and communal care. This is paradoxically the contrary of the way this article defines mysticism, as a mainly individual practice and experience. The other risk that lurks in social structures like those described is the risk of easily deriving into cults or into “us versus them” groups.
This was a captivating read. It honestly sparked a lot of thought into how communities are in need of more communal places that don’t subject a person to a certain conformity. Everyone has their own relationship with spirituality and these “spiritual centers” would be wonderful areas for people to explore their connection more freely. Great job, Patricia!
Incredible piece Patricia - I have felt this deeply of late (after decades of intuitively sensing but lacking the words and also the confidence to articulate in the mainstream…). Thank you for this writing and for setting the tone of what this shift might enable and create.
Wonderful essay. Curious your thoughts on who is coming closest to creating this vision right now - and where you most wish to differentiate from their work - ie Universalists as one example.
This is very interesting as a glimpse on how people are replacing the old church like structures. I hope that most of this places and practices are not new forms of self delusion, but focus on belonging and communal care. This is paradoxically the contrary of the way this article defines mysticism, as a mainly individual practice and experience. The other risk that lurks in social structures like those described is the risk of easily deriving into cults or into “us versus them” groups.
This was a captivating read. It honestly sparked a lot of thought into how communities are in need of more communal places that don’t subject a person to a certain conformity. Everyone has their own relationship with spirituality and these “spiritual centers” would be wonderful areas for people to explore their connection more freely. Great job, Patricia!
Incredible piece Patricia - I have felt this deeply of late (after decades of intuitively sensing but lacking the words and also the confidence to articulate in the mainstream…). Thank you for this writing and for setting the tone of what this shift might enable and create.
Wonderful essay. Curious your thoughts on who is coming closest to creating this vision right now - and where you most wish to differentiate from their work - ie Universalists as one example.