Religion without mysticism becomes an 'ideology' and we have too many ideologies.
- Raimon Panikkar speaking on Compass (ABC TV), 5 July 2009.
This quote from Raimon Panikkar resonates with me. My personal understanding of mysticism is of an engagement with the spiritual, with the divine or the Deity (as you know Him or Her), an experience of the 'supernatural' of faith. This does not gel entirely with its definition, but it works for me in terms of understanding why 'religion' must be a personal experience. I think this is why proselytizing does not work... without the personal experience of the divine, religion is (as Panikkar says) simply an ideology and asks us to believe without 'evidence'. Of course, for Christians 'faith is the evidence' (Hebrews 11:1, paraphrased), but for others... rejection of religion is logical and sensible for there is no 'evidence' of the things it claims. For me, that mystical experience of faith, the universe, of spirituality, of God... is what makes my beliefs meaningful to me.
Easter is the ultimate experience of the supernatural in the Christian faith. The Resurrection asks us to believe the unbelievable (see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection). Although some may argue for a symbolic resurrection (i.e. the soul, not the body of Christ came back to 'life'), the physical resurrection is they key to the Christian faith. Christ's triumph over death gives hope to all who believe.
Of course, the rituals of Easter embrace more than the Christian faith. Coming as it does from the Northern Hemisphere, the ancient rituals incorporated into the modern Easter celebration stem from celebrations of the Spring Equinox and all that Spring represents including fertility and new life. (See: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-big-question-why-do-we-celebrate-easter-and-where-did-the-bunny-come-from-443550.html) It's a little weird for us south of the Equator where winter is taking hold!
Whatever you believe, may your Easter celebrations be enjoyable!
Related links:
Easter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter
Easter in Australia: http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/easter-in-australia
Easter traditions: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6074283.ece
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