Keith Kristich of Closer Than Breath asked us to share ideas about what makes a mystic. Here’s my answer:

Mystic is a category, just like male/female or well/ill, day/night.

But reality doesn’t exist in static categories but in fluid kaleidoscope movement.

Just as I am always all sinner and all saint (Martin Luther),

so I am always mystic and never mystic.

The mystic waits always, but waits for nothing.

The mystic sees everything but looks at nothing.

I wait, as watchers wait for dawn.

I walk, as sleepers walk through the night.

I sit, I quiet, I read, I listen, I write, I pray.

But none of that makes me a mystic.

I wash the dishes, I watch three bumblebees on the heart of a sunflower, I reheat last night’s leftovers, I send a friend a text, I answer your email.

That’s the closest I can come to mystic.