Other Mystics

[Alexander]

Well, I find that most of my family is mystically inclined, or at least the "sensitive artist" type. Most of them are in the closet about it, or they don't really understand it the way we do here. Like my grandma has tremendous intuitive ability, but she's a kind of Christian. After I explained my experience in detail to my mother, she was able to relate it to some experiences she's had when waiting for sleep. And she is also familiar with moderate kundalini rushes--although she doesn't know it by that name. Most of the family that doesn't have a lot of repressions have mild-moderate kundalini rushes when listening/making music or other art. So in terms of the Path of enlightenment, they are mostly unaware, but they are rather in-touch with charismatic phenomena.

I was able to get my Mom to start meditating about a year ago, and my sister and I began around the same time in search of curing mental illness. But to my knowledge, no one else practices meditation. They either use prayer or have impromptu mystic experiences.

Ah, so would you say your experience of your family isn't the same as Jhananda's? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nEhDgxSd2A That your family isn't a facade, looking nice from the outside, but on the inside hiding layer upon layer of dysfunction? Or, would you say that you don't follow quite as radical a take on your family as Christ, when he says to "hate your mother and father" to follow him? Keep in mind I'm not asking these questions to be hard, or to suggest that what you're saying is fantasy. But, I'm always trying to expand the concepts I use to understand mysticism: so, if I find something that challenges me to adjust my views, I like to investigate it.

[Jhanon]

Okay, I'll try my best to answer.

My immediate family, none are religious. I am familiar with the facade, as my partner's family resonates with your description. It took me a year just to realize the underlying dysfunction they have--pretending all is fine by never talking about anything not superficial. But my immediate family is very forthcoming, honest and upfront--as you can see in my behavior on here. Family gatherings have a significant level of genuine harmony and love.

We came from a very dysfunctional past. But we all made strides, and it paid off. Any difficulties are right on the surface, and most are "mental illness", or rather what I think is the difficulty which comes significant mystical development in past lives. I can't review the sources you provided right now. But I will get back to you.

I understand what you're getting at. And the best answer I can give right now is that they do not reflect the common dysfunction of America. Self-discovery is highest on the list for everyone, but they all have different methods. This really is an honest answer. If you would have asked me four years ago, you would get a very different answer.

Let me know if that is sufficient response.