Mysticism

 Mystic:

My understanding of a mystic was what the rishis of Vedic times were, or Dnyaaneshwar or his siblings were. Souls in search of the divine. Those who went looking for and succeeded in finding the eternal truth underlying the finite universe. 

When I tried to verify what our modern day “ Know all Sage”( Dnyani) AKA Google defines as a mystic this is what I found:

A mystic is a person who seeks direct, personal experience of the divine, ultimate reality, or spiritual truths, often through meditation and contemplation. The term refers to individuals focused on inward spiritual transformation, bridging the seen and unseen, and practicing "the presence of God" or universal energy

So it essentially conformed with my idea of what a mystic is.

I would never have thought that mysticism means something different to different people. During our recent trip to Peru, one day we took a half day trip to a town called Pisac, situated in the Sacred Valley, about an hour or less from Cusco. As we entered the town our guide showed us a woman walking down the street with a colorful flowing patchwork skirt, a dark cotton blouse,  a frilly hat on the head and a cotton bag hanging loosely on her shoulder. Her gait was fast paced but slightly unsteady. You see her? She is a mystical tourist, he said, adding that many like her come here from all around the world to get indigenous herbal medicine here. This place is known for mystical tourism. You will notice many “botanica” ( indigenous pharmacies) here in this town. They make good business.

I was confused.

What does mysticism have to do with herbal medicines?

The mysticism I know is about devotion and self enquiry. To explore the workings of the mind, and then look beyond it. 

But here it took a different turn. Traditional practices involved shamans and healers. There were beliefs in the Earth and rituals involved making “ payments to the earth” with leaves, flowers, grains and even llamas fetuses. Black llamas were rarer than the white ones. Belief was that these black llamas are preferred by the Gods as offerings. 

Many practices involve meditation and yoga just like we knew in India. But it did not limit itself to these. Many involved the use of psychedelic drugs. A particularly well known ritual is Ayahuasca. This uses a drink prepared with two indigenous plant products that are known to be hallucinogenic. 

This made me think.

I had a personal experience of great spiritual significance in Machu Picchu as well as in Cusco. But these were totally spontaneous, unexpected and unprovoked by any use of external agents. In Machu Picchu one could say that the vastness of the site, the ruins, mountains etc could have played a role in bringing an awe to the mind. But in Cusco I was bundled up in a small nondescript hotel room. It was between 4:30 and 5 AM. There wasn’t caffeine or a morsel of food in my stomach. Nothing in the surroundings could be said to contribute to the unmistakable experience of Nada Bramha that came that day. If one has to wonder if any hypnosis was performed by a local during our stay/ visit, that doesn’t explain the similar experience of Nada Bramha that had occurred for the very first time just a few weeks earlier when I was in my own home in California. So there is a good reason to believe that all three episodes were entirely spontaneous, coming from within. 

As to spiritual practices that focused on reverence to the elements ( earth,sky, water, fire etc) that’s not foreign to me. These are inculcated into mind since the formative years. Mountains and rivers have always had spiritual significance for me. 

But use of hallucinogenic substances to bring about an experience of out of the body contact with a reality not ordinarily experienced by humans was a topic that was at once foreign, concerning and controversial to my mind. I am aware of Ganja( weed, marijuana ) smoking sadhus and pilgrims in India. Seen them during earlier trips to Haridwar and Rishikesh. More recently seen them during Pandharpur wari in 2023. But those are not considered credible mystics by any means. In Peruvian culture however the traditional rituals were not looked upon so much as aberrant or antisocial. The communities that practiced these had their recognized place in the culture. Unlike the ingredients of preparations like Ayahuasca that are banned in the United States and considered controlled substances, there is no such control over them in Peru. First time users are simply cautioned before use. I am not even sure if their use has led to medical emergencies, serious health consequences or deaths and if so, how many.

However, deaths or not, there is a different looming danger. The potential for addiction. Substance abuse! That is at the root of the controversy and concern. If you are desirous of a direct experience of the divine and to obtain such “ out of this world “ experience you are inclined to take a “shortcut” and use psychedelics, is that experience of any lasting value? To make it a lasting experience you are going to need continual/ repeated use of the substance. When the effect of the substance wears off, are you going to be in a better or worse situation than when you first started out in this journey?

Seems like a progressive downward spiral. The eventual cost of the experience seems too much to pay. Instead of finding yourself, you are losing yourself. And gaining nothing. 

This kind of mysticism appears to be a frightening caricature of the sacred mysticism I have known and tried to follow. It has been very slow, often with periods of great emotional perturbations and feelings of being alone and lost, before finding light and peace, or a sense of meaningfulness and harmony with the surroundings. Yet, the gains made during the process have steadily become more apparent in terms of internal balance, productivity, attitude, interpersonal relationships and understanding of life in general. It is built on a solid foundation of validated literature and teachings, personal practices and self enquiry. External stimuli are challengers, not enablers for internal experiences of truth and peace. What is earned within is not susceptible to perish in the absence of external conditions or substances. 

On the contrary, the progressive strengthening of the self has allowed for serious questioning of the reliance on pleasures derived from acceptable practices and substances such as food, water, clothes, bedding, entertainment etc. for a sense of wellbeing. It is becoming increasingly evident that such a sense of wellbeing is highly misplaced and wrongly impressed upon the mind. The mind is yet to be completely defeated from its wrong notions but the work is moving in the right direction.

After seeing the possibilities of people getting lured by “shortcuts” and understanding the potential dangers of such diversions, it feels much reassuring to have come so far without going those routes. May be the mind is watched over by a kind guardian. One can only hope that this benevolence remains until the mind is entirely cured of its wrong ideas. Mind freed of wrong understanding is a “no mind” or उन्मन. Until that state is achieved, the risk lurks around the corner. 

That’s why Samarth Ramdas often tells a spiritual aspirant: 

Savadhan! सावधान! 

Stay alert!