What the Social Sphere
Contributes to the Mystical Sphere

Mystical life seems to concern itself with one very special relationship: the one between the individual and God. Human relationships are sometimes considered distractions from that cosmic love affair. But in fact, the social sphere and the mystic sphere are SUPREMELY compatible. By Divine design, human relationships SUPPORT mystic fulfillment in several important ways.

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How do you "lively up yourself"? Partly, with a little help from your friends! Social interaction has tremendous power to quicken and uplift. Even a simple conversation can speed our pulse and elevate our consciousness. A letter or phone call can make our day. And the uplifting potential goes WAY up from there!

The uplifting power of deep human exchanges -- as in heartfelt emotional sharing or lovemaking -- is practically unlimited. Under the right circumstances, such exchanges even yield genuine mystic revelations. It should come as no surprise, then, that in most people's lives, in most people's diaries, in most people's memories, many of the highest moments and peak experiences are SOCIAL.

Peak love experiences lift us into the mystic

Consider, for example, peak experiences of love. Foremost among the higher fruits of loving is the realization of spiritual Unity. People deeply in love often feel, "You and me, we are not separate; we are one and the same." Such moments of true Unity-consciousness represent HIGH mystical realizations of Truth.

Love-rapture also has an unmistakably mystic flavor. In deep communion with a loved one -- either in thought or in person -- ordinary consciousness yields to a sublime blend of loving attention, subtle sensitivity, spaciousness, and ecstasy.

The mystic dimension clearly overlaps the social realm in experiences of psychic connection -- for example, between a mother and her child, or between any two people who care deeply about each other. Subtle awareness of the thoughts, feelings, and state of a loved one often exceed what could be explained by normal means of communication. Such experiences transcend, and HEAL, our ordinary convictions of separation. Once again, interpersonal love lifts us well beyond our mundane level of consciousness into mystic experiences of Unity.

Moments of soul communion feel divinely wonderful because they ARE Divine. Perhaps the greatest of all socially-generated mystic experiences is the encounter with God's presence in the "bubble" of soul communion. When we connect deeply with another person, we feel energy within, and then, progressively, we feel energy and brightness "in the air." If we persist, the SPACE around us feels electrically charged. What's THAT? That, dear friends, is GOD. Sometimes during experiences of soul communion, we may see everything around us bathed in radiance, and even disappear into the Light. Such experiences prove, beyond question, the great value of the social sphere to the mystical sphere. Effortlessly, in love rapture, we attain what all mystics crave, and work so hard to experience: the experience of God's Presence, gently outshining everything else without and within.

What grace, that God has provided such a direct and accessible route to DIVINE Love, through HUMAN love! With its power to raise us into experiences of Divine Union, intense social exchange can equal meditation, prayers, or any other spiritual "technique." Social relations can certainly provide rocket fuel for launching us into much higher states of consciousness.

The power of collective worship

Where two or more come together
in My name, there I am with them.

The social-mystic connection functions in all the varieties of group worship, group prayer, and group meditation. Worship gatherings can dramatically uplift the participants, moving them into conscious awareness of Divine Presence. Social forms of spiritual practice (such as Unification) can do the same. So can group ecstatic dancing, group singing, public prayer, and confession. Surely the appearance of God, as promised, is what gives collective worship its exceptional synergy. No wonder every religion includes a form of group worship in its tradition!

We've already noted how deep soul communion becomes Divine Communion. This frequently occurs where there is strong love-desire. This social-mystical connection also explains why people often have such precious -- almost RELIGIOUS -- feelings about their peak experiences of lovemaking. And why people feel such devotion towards their partners in those experiences. It is no coincidence, then, that in spiritual traditions throughout the world, mystical practices in pairs, such as Tantra Yoga and sacred sexuality, have used gender polarity to enhance the power of soul communion.

Inspiration: Blessings of mystics

No consideration of the social-mystical connection would be complete without acknowledging the uplifting influence of God-connected men and women. In the company of mystics, social experience IS mystical experience. Therefore, throughout history, the opportunity to bask in the light of a "man or woman of God" has always been highly prized, and eagerly sought.

Any positive individual has an uplifting influence and healing effect on others. But the DEGREE of that influence varies tremendously. SPIRIT-TUNED individuals transmit particularly powerful energy, love, and light. Their mere presence has miraculous ability to inspire, heal, and enhance well-being. What we feel from authentic mystics is not just human charisma, but direct Divine Blessings.

God is omnipresent, but most people do not feel God's Presence everywhere equally. In the company of mystics we discover that God's Presence can be felt particularly strongly and reliably THROUGH people -- especially God-attuned people. When it comes to TRANSMITTING Love's Light, the human being is like a lens. The lens may be clear, as in the case of an individual whose will is fully surrendered to God. Or, like sunglasses, the lens may be darkened to varying degrees by selfish motivations, negative thinking, and ego-identification. In some people, the lens may even be completely opaque -- so that God's Love Light doesn't shine through at all. But when the Light passes through the clear lens of a God-connected individual, powerful blessings flow.

Since a single meeting with a mystic can have such profoundly beneficial effects, just imagine what a long-term involvement could accomplish! Indeed, a relationship to a spiritual mentor or enlightened teacher has traditionally been recognized as one of the most effective paths to mystical realization. The evidence is overwhelming: virtually all persons of significant mystical realization achieved their spiritual growth with the help of a human guide.

Spiritual launching pad: A solid foundation of emotional fulfillment

The essence of all spiritual adventure is the transcendence of egotism and ego itself -- not a task for the faint of heart! Letting go of ego requires strong faith, self-confidence, and personal security. Therefore, paradoxically, until and unless our ego structures are strong enough, we cannot -- or will not -- let go.

Where do we get an ego structure strong enough to transcend ego? Personal strength can come from a variety of sources, but emotional fulfillment ranks high on the list. Positive social connections support us in developing the strength and self-confidence we need to face spiritual challenges boldly, with faith. Social scientists observe that infants raised with great love and devotion enjoy a high level of security as children, and grow into healthy confidence and self-sufficiency. But then too, ALL years are "formative years." Healthy relationships at any age create a foundation of emotional security that can support ALL of our adventures in spiritual growth.

Relationships of all kinds have the potential to nourish us. We are empowered by the nurturing affection of supportive parents and other family members; the dependable love of a devoted spouse; the commitment and loyalty of true friends; the admiration and respect of workmates. Any relationship will be spiritually supportive if it:

Granted, such ideal conditions may be hard to find. These days, spiritually supportive relationships are rare. However, God did not give us social needs and desires without the means to fulfill them. The way to have spiritually fulfilling relationships is simple enough, but rarely PRACTICED. And that accounts for the scarcity of both emotional AND spiritual fulfillment on earth.

To find people who will support you, start by BEING the kind of person you seek. It is rightly said, "Birds of a feather flock together." If you study the four points above and strive to offer that kind of support to others in your life, you will eventually attract the same support to yourself. On the other hand, if you simply watch and wait without preparing yourself in this way, the people you seek will not be attracted to you. Instead, you may find yourself surrounded by others who also demand but hesitate to give real emotional nurturance.

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In spite of teachings like the one quoted above, many traditional mystics have placed little emphasis on social competence. They have justified their anti-social priorities with a seek-ye-first-the-kingdom-of-heaven philosophy. Is that wise?

It's unwise to disregard this fact: Social dysfunction/disharmony can easily PREVENT mystic experience. The social context is spiritually and emotionally CHALLENGING. Differences between people in terms of perceived needs, desires, and beliefs spawn seemingly endless conflicts and anxieties. Those conflicts are spiritually chilling.

There's no doubt that spiritual practices can improve the way people relate to others and to the world. Greater space and higher consciousness can certainly help us hold high intentions and keep good resolves. However, no spiritual practice can, by itself, correct unethical social patterns of thought and behavior. For that, we need to include social harmony in our spiritual aspirations, and add ethical relating to our spiritual practice.

Traditionally, serious spiritual seekers tend to choose a path of lesser resistance: minimize social interactions in order to avoid interpersonal disharmony that will bring them down. But there's another choice! If we use social challenges rightly, each one becomes an upward step on a stairway to LIBERATION. Each of our self-transcending efforts to serve and love others to the best of our ability lifts us up. So the same social AGGRAVATION that seems to imperil spiritual ascent can, if properly used, help spiritual ascent tremendously.

In addition, if we don't ignore our social dissatisfactions, they provide compelling motivation to improve our social intentions and orientations. Cultivating social sensitivity can further our spiritual goals as well as our social life. Our sincere intention to understand and harmonize with others puts us on God's wavelength.

The mystic advantage of "making peace with your brothers first"

Guilt, blame, and justification sap mental energy and sabotage spiritual progress. Therefore, all religions wisely recommend ethical living and relationship harmony as the basis for spiritual life.

When we're relating poorly, we may be taking two steps forward in the meditation chamber, and then DOZENS of steps backward in our everyday interactions. Problematic interactions and their lingering effects can consume almost all the attention that could otherwise be devoted to positive spiritual practices. And if social disharmony excessively disturbs mental peace, we may even find meditation practically impossible. Thus:

If you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.

We can greatly improve the efficacy of our formal spiritual practices by cleaning up our social interactions. When we start our devotions with a clean conscience, the uplifting power of spiritual practice can very effectively raise us into levels of consciousness that are truly sublime. Spiritual practices can then be used for the purpose of elevating us from high places to even higher places -- rather than for lifting us out of a hole, or getting us out of a jam.

Loving man and God: can we get close to God while mistreating people?

As mystics, we approach heaven's gates hoping for Divine reunion. But how ready are we for that blessed meeting? We can learn a lot about our readiness by looking at our human relationships.

Whatsoever you do
unto the least of these,
you do unto Me.

...those immersed in the love of God
feel love for all things.

If anyone says, "I love God,"
yet hates his brother, he is a liar.
For anyone who does not love his brother,
whom he has seen, cannot love God,
whom he has not seen.
And He has given us this command:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

... those dearest to God are those
who treat His children kindly.

You may recognize my disciples
by the love they have for one another.

This brings us to another important reason to handle human relationships well: We need to cultivate life attitudes that would be conducive to a positive, effective, functional relationship with God. Certainly, if we're forming bad habits of being closed, conflictual, and skeptical with our fellows, we will have difficulty suddenly shifting gears when we try to get along with God. For example:

Clearly, attitudes are hard to compartmentalize. True openness on virtually any level requires releasing all manner of grievances. Consequently, we can't possibly be unconscious or uncaring towards MOST of life, and then be functional in ANY love relationship -- INCLUDING the relationship with God.

Ethical relating for spiritual ascent

Here is a deeper reason why positive ethical relating supports mystic achievement: spiritual evolution results from the EXPANSION of consciousness. Enlightenment is the ultimately expanded state! Consequently, it behooves spiritual aspirants to avoid doing anything that COMPRESSES consciousness.

Leading the list of daily experiences that work against the expansion of consciousness are interactions that make us feel guilty, blaming, or defensive. Thinking ill of others, treating them poorly, and then failing to properly correct our transgressions -- such behaviors deflate the spirit. They erode the healthy self-image that allows a person to jump into the arms of God.

Conversely, as we polish up our ethics, the social concerns that contract our being begin to relax. We no longer fear retaliation or punishment. We can relax our defenses and let down our walls. For example, when a man stops deceiving and becomes straightforward in his communications, he feels happier and more presentable. The same can be said for people who pay back what they owe. After they settle their accounts, they feel lighter and freer.

As we make ethical relating our habit and daily practice, we gradually undo the physical and emotional knots -- the tight stomach, the tied tongue, the furrowed brow, etc. -- that come from longstanding fear and shame. We become more sensitive, more responsive, more flexible, more optimistic. Aren't these wonderful dividends, simply for doing right by others?

Good social functionality supports the expansion of consciousness

Right relating is much more than simply a way to avoid the knots resulting from wrong relating! Healthy social outreach is naturally consciousness-EXPANDING. We can feel the expansion even in ordinary social situations. Wholesome social engagement . . .

Needless to say, LOVE is the most expansive and Godly/Godlike of all human activities. If we love generously and consistently, we experience for ourselves how expansive love truly is! Eventually, the outpouring of our love undoes even the tendency to contract. Then, if we make a mistake, no worries -- we fix it. If others accuse us, insult us, ignore us, or revere us, it's not the end of the world. No matter what happens or how we're treated, our awareness will not collapse. Now THAT'S expanded consciousness!

Once again, we see what a marvelously effective "spiritual practice" healthy social interaction can be. So remember:

Consciousness expands much more rapidly when
healthy social engagement becomes a part of daily practice.

And conversely:

When we forfeit social involvements, we lose
one of the best and most natural ways to expand.

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Social experiences give us a way to LIVE UP
(to our part in cooperation with God)

The Life Divine IS a social life

The Life Divine, a life of loving service in close cooperation with God, is the ultimate goal of ALL mystic ascent. Why? -- because God is Love! So, a God-directed life is a life committed to loving. And clearly, the social sphere is where such a life takes place.

Not surprisingly, most Divine directives are SOCIAL directives; that is, they are inspirations to directly heal, serve, or uplift people. Even when God's guidance arrives as insights, not instructions, those insights often have social import, too. For example: "I am all that lives. I am in each person you see." When we apply Divine insights in life, they tend to have a healing, helpful, or uplifting effect on EVERYONE we contact. They inevitably improve our social skills across the board.

To read more on this topic, see
"How the Still Small Voice Works"

Social life teaches us to LISTEN UP

Divine cooperation is the most spiritually uplifting occupation any human being can have. In it, our social and mystic urges are perfectly united, and happily fulfilled. Fortunately, anyone can grow to hear, in daily life, the inner voice of Divine guidance. And anyone can obey it. There again, social life expedites the process.

For all who aspire to the Life Divine, but who cannot yet consistently hear and obey God's inner guidance, the social sphere provides excellent motivation to rely on Divine direction. In social life, we frequently face human needs that are heartrending to feel and seemingly impossible to solve. When mortal understanding and ingenuity fall short, we think, ponder, and pray. We reach and beseech for the right response, the right approach. We tune for the right attitude. Excellent!

When we begin this tuning process, we're not yet involved in Divine obedience; or if we are, it is only in the most general sense: trying to act as we think God would have us do. At this stage, we can only employ our own powers of observation, and make our own best efforts to love and care for others. However, that is a necessary first step. As we sincerely strive to relate with compassion, forgiveness, and love, we gradually open our hearts and tune our minds for receiving God's loving inspirations. Eventually, the ability to HEAR God's voice develops.

That ability allows a further increment in our spiritual development: choosing to do God's bidding SPECIFICALLY. As free will creatures, we forever have the last word on whether or not we will act on the Divine promptings we receive. Here again, our previous efforts in the social sphere prepare us well for Divine obedience. Having happily bent our will to serving others, we bend much more easily and reliably in compliance with the will of God.

For more reading on this interesting
and important subject, see
"Cooperating With God: How to Deliver God's Gifts to People"
and
"The Evolution of Love"

Fulfilling the Divine design

We said at the beginning of this article that human relationship serves spiritual life BY DIVINE DESIGN. Because of our Divine genetics, the child takes after the Parent. God's desire for intimacy with humanity is the root of human social desires. God's overflowing care and devotion toward humanity reverberates in our own personally loving impulses. God's loving relationship to all of life is the blueprint for our own.

In our spiritual maturity, we will grow fully into the Life Divine. Body, mind and spirit will function together as a single, continuous gesture of obedience to God's will and our own. That gesture is LOVE. Without a doubt, the social sphere provides the ideal environment for that momentous development to occur.