A New Mysticism

For a while, I've been promoting the writings of the late William Johnston S.J. who had a wonderfully lucid, simple and insightful approach to the spiritual life. He had a deep knowledge of the ancient traditions of Christian mysticism and presented them in a practical and accessible way. Quite simply, he was keen to help people to pray, and I think that's a pretty laudable aim! One of his books was a series of 'Letters to Contemplatives' which he wrote to eight individuals over the course of year of sabbatical in 1989-90. This was the time I was preparing for ordination and Johnston's writings have been a constant companion since then.

In one of his letters, he talks of a 'new mysticism' which was coming to Christianity. It was born, in part, from a dialogue with Eastern religions and is marked by a direct appeal to contemporary life. Although I spend a lot of time reminding people of the deep roots of Christian mysticism (biblical, patristic, medieval), I think Johnston makes an important point about the new approaches to that mysticism in the contemporary world. Here are the characteristics of these new approaches:

• It appeals to all Christians, not just to 'religious professionals'
• It uses the language of human consciousness and is holistic. This language is preferred over the more philosophical background of earlier approaches.
• The new appraoches are attentive to the body: posture, breathing and mindfulness are seen as vital.
• Related to this last point, the new mysticism depends more on faith, letting go of the control of reason as the only guiding mode of knowing.
• There is an emphasis on enlightenment - the mystical way has a goal, and that goal is a transformed person.

I think Johnston is right to point to a new approach to mysticism in our contemporary setting and his brief outline of that approach is a useful way of identifying some of the changes that make the Christian spiritual life more directly appealing to the modern world. I think I would add a further characteristic and I know from his writings that Johnston would have wholeheartedly agreed. The new mysticism is never alienated from a commitment to justice and peace. A transformed person seeks also the transformation of an unjust world.

Johnston was keenly aware of the ancient Christian traditions of spiritual life. Indeed, his first works included an exploration of the mysticism of The Cloud of Unknowing and an attractively accessible translation of that text for modern readers. However, I think he is right to say that some of the characteristics of contemporary Christian spirituality are new ways of relating to a world that has seen extraodinary change. His writings deserve to be better known and I hope that there will be a new appreciation of his contribution before too long.